Frank Method Rocks

[mordy18]

The "how do I pack my pipe method" has been discussed ad nauseum including a sticky thread somewhere. But I am posting this in the basics and beginners section because after two years of smoking a pipe and trying every method from stuff and puff, to three pinch, to the scoop from the jar, to the spiral palm swirl method,, I have settled on the Frank method - it works.

I had used it - sort of and without attention to the details- periodically with only periodic success. I recently read the article on the method on the NY Pipe club site and began following the directions exactly (other than the torch lighter). It works -- consistently and with great results. If done correctly, it creates a firm plug of tobacco at the top of the bowl with looser tobacco at the bottom, so that as the ember burns down, airflow is maintained and I get a consistent smoke that rarely goes out. I find the bowl doesn't heat up as much, and tamping and relights are kept to a minimum, and the tobacco burns down to a nice ash at the bottom of the bowl, This has been true across different pipes and blends, although it works best with ribbon cuts.

The most important part is creating the plug with a large volume of tobacco over the top of the bowl which is gently nudged and pushed inwards but not down into the bowl.

Anyway, wanted to share in the beginner's section - I highly recommend new smokers try it,

 

[Keitha]

I am with you on this. It works best for me as well.

 

[sablebrush52]

A lot of people like the Frank method. Frankly, I don't like the Frank method. Too fussy for me. Codger scoop does fine for me most of the time.
But a lot of people like the Frank method as its precision takes the guesswork out of what for some is the insurmountable intellectual challenge of putting tobacco into a bowl.

 

[mordy18]

A lot of people like the Frank method. Frankly, I don't like the Frank method. Too fussy for me. Codger scoop does fine for me most of the time.
But a lot of people like the Frank method as its precision takes the guesswork out of what for some is the insurmountable intellectual challenge of putting tobacco into a bowl.

Don't know about intellectual challenge, but it gives consistency particularly to newer smokers who arent codgers with the magic touch developed over decades of smoking.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Another yay for simplicity and speed. With the scoop and then press on the top once works very well, as the tobacco gets less compressed the further down the chamber it goes.

No need for a void in the heel, unless wetness is a problem for you.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Don't know about intellectual challenge, but it gives consistency particularly to newer smokers who arent codgers with the magic touch developed over decades of smoking.

Not really magic, as it can be learned in a few tries. The secret is to not have the tobacco too dry nor too wet.

But to each his own! For some it's part of a ritual which is comforting and effective. I feel the same way about the "charring vs. true" lights bit. For most lights (plugs, coin and cake perhaps excepted) I find I need but one light,—except when I don't!

It's all good.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I'm glad that this works for you. It doesn't bother me at all if people do different things than me. Way to go!!

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Who is frank? Why does he insist on complicating pipe smoking?

 

[BROBS]

Who is frank? Why does he insist on complicating pipe smoking?

@alaskanpiper

 

[alaskanpiper]

ANYONE WHO CRITICIZES MY METHOD WILL BE IMMEDIATELY BANNED!!!!!

disclaimer: I have neither the authority nor the ability to ban anyone.

 

[bullet08]

Concept and theory on packing the pipe is same on all methods. Applied practice is little different. The basic idea is to leave plenty of air pocket at the bottom and don't over load the chamber. After awhile, it just becomes routine. You don't think about it.

 

[Jacob74]

What are the physics of...nevermind.

 

[STP]

Another yay for simplicity and speed. With the scoop and then press on the top once works very well, as the tobacco gets less compressed the further down the chamber it goes.

No need for a void in the heel, unless wetness is a problem for you.

^^^ This... I started w/the Frank method, and it evolved into a scoop, tap the bowel, scoop again and press, which has worked like a charm... for me. I basically eliminated the middle step of the Frank. I don’t think that there is a universal best method... even the Frank takes some personal tweaking.

 

[anotherbob]

The "how do I pack my pipe method" has been discussed ad nauseum including a sticky thread somewhere. But I am posting this in the basics and beginners section because after two years of smoking a pipe and trying every method from stuff and puff, to three pinch, to the scoop from the jar, to the spiral palm swirl method,, I have settled on the Frank method - it works.

I had used it - sort of and without attention to the details- periodically with only periodic success. I recently read the article on the method on the NY Pipe club site and began following the directions exactly (other than the torch lighter). It works -- consistently and with great results. If done correctly, it creates a firm plug of tobacco at the top of the bowl with looser tobacco at the bottom, so that as the ember burns down, airflow is maintained and I get a consistent smoke that rarely goes out. I find the bowl doesn't heat up as much, and tamping and relights are kept to a minimum, and the tobacco burns down to a nice ash at the bottom of the bowl, This has been true across different pipes and blends, although it works best with ribbon cuts.

The most important part is creating the plug with a large volume of tobacco over the top of the bowl which is gently nudged and pushed inwards but not down into the bowl.

Anyway, wanted to share in the beginner's section - I highly recommend new smokers try it,

when you get the three step method down it's the same effect but more so and with more control. I like the frank method more as a beginner thing, it is hard to mess up. All packing methods have thee ole pros & cons

 

[mordy18]

Everyone does what works best for them. But the Frank method really ain't any more complicated or time consuming than any other method, just a tad more precise.

 

[LOREN]

The Frank method is best for me, however I am much too lazy ....which is pretty darn lazy!

 

[mikethompson]

I remember a thread on the Frank Method getting someone very upset and getting banned.

 

[mso489]

The codger scoop is the basis of packing a pipe for me, with maybe a pinch of tobacco on the top for the added density Frank likes. My dad smoked pretty much all day for fifty years, and the scoop, out of a pouch of Granger (always the foil pouch) did it for him. Sometimes I go for the gravity load, and sometimes for layering, but mostly the codger method.

 

[olkofri]

I recently read the article on the method on the NY Pipe club site

Have you a link, please?

I've gotten it to work only intermittently. I'd like to be more meticulous about it. I have watched his videos, but maybe the article would shed a bit more light.

 

[Grangerous]

The answer arrives on a cloud of smoke from on high when one chooses a single blend. Mastery is swift when the different cuts, type, brand and moisture variables are removed from the event.

Scoop tap. Scoop tap. Scoop press.

Welcome to Codger land.