Frank Method of packing

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Mar 1, 2014
3,658
4,960
Is there a method that is superior?
No.

Of course most people will say "it's all preference" but I'm confident in the principle of packing a pipe with lateral pressure giving the most consistent burn because of uniform tobacco density.
The aim of the Frank Method is to pack your pipe like someone rolling a cigar, leaving the tobacco pressing outward in all directions, versus "three step" where you're just pressing down and inevitably creating layers of density.

In the end my preference is for the Air Pocket pack, which is just Frank Method with only the plug of tobacco at the top of the bowl and leaving the bottom empty, though it's not necessarily just loading the top of the bowl, with some finesse you can load a fairly tall pipe with a single continuous plug.
 

3dogpiper

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 10, 2022
113
119
New York, New England
No.

Of course most people will say "it's all preference" but I'm confident in the principle of packing a pipe with lateral pressure giving the most consistent burn because of uniform tobacco density.
The aim of the Frank Method is to pack your pipe like someone rolling a cigar, leaving the tobacco pressing outward in all directions, versus "three step" where you're just pressing down and inevitably creating layers of density.

In the end my preference is for the Air Pocket pack, which is just Frank Method with only the plug of tobacco at the top of the bowl and leaving the bottom empty, though it's not necessarily just loading the top of the bowl, with some finesse you can load a fairly tall pipe with a single continuous plug.
Interesting.. thank you.
 
Mar 2, 2021
3,473
14,251
Alabama USA
I like using the gravity fill method. I scoop and lightly tap the bottom of the bowl on my palm. When it is at the top, I lightly finger tamp. It seems to work pretty well in all of my pipes.

I'll name it the "Importance of Being Earnest Method (IBEM) to provide a reply to @Chasing Embers ....LOL!!
"The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde.
 

SunriseBoy

Starting to Get Obsessed
Nov 18, 2021
294
366
Toowoomba
Yeah, it is a preference thing isn't it. Scott from Aristocob did a YT thing about he did it, and I find it is very effective.
I tend to cut leaf into smaller bits, tip it in, tap the bowl on the back of my knuckle, press it in firmly, then two more times. And, I regret to confess, I'm one of these characters that like things to work well.
So, thanks to Scott for sharing the way he does it because I've found it is nearly perfect for me.
 
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