Friday Discussion: Tamper or Finger?

[ziv]

Which method do you prefer? Share and discuss!

I always have a Czech tool on me, but also use my finger quite often. Gotta love to squeeze that tobacco!

 

[Infantry23]

Tamper. My finger only when I'm working around the outside of the house.

 

[Grangerous]

Tamper

 

[lupy1234]

Finger it

 

[Bbailey324]

Finger when filling the pipe, tamper after it is lit.

 

[fireground_piper]

I usually have both available, but use whichever is convenient at the moment of need.

 

[sablebrush52]

Finger for pack and tamp. I have gorgeous handmade briar tampers but never remember to use them.

 

[AppalachianPipe92]

Definitely a tamper. I used to use my finger and found the uneven aspect didn't allow for the best smoke. I'll occasionally poke it with my finger, especially while driving. But a tamper allows for an even tamp which in turn allows for less lights and a better burn.
Thats my .02 - ymmv

 

[ziv]

I usually have both available, but use whichever is convenient at the moment of need.

How do you determine which one is more convenient?

 

[PaulRVA]

Generally the Tamper on an IM Corona Turned and Locked for Instant use although if using a Dupont or Dunhill then an assortment of other Tampers.
If doing Yard work etc. I’ll resort to a finger if need be.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Finger though I've got dozens of tampers.

 

[ziv]

Finger though I've got dozens of tampers.

View attachment 352479

Any finger or index finger specifically?

 

[fireground_piper]

How do you determine which one is more convenient?

It just comes down to laziness and if I want to grab it out of my pocket or off the table/desk vs. just use my finger.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Any finger or index finger specifically?

Any will work but how I hold a pipe my index finger is closer to the chamber.

 

[LeafErikson]

I’m no doubt a tamper guy. Funnily enough on this subject, my mom trolled me for using a tamper when smoking my pipe in front of her a few years back. LOL. She had only ever seen pipe smokers in her family use their fingers.

 

[fireground_piper]

I’m no doubt a tamper guy. Funnily enough on this subject, my mom trolled me for using a tamper when smoking my pipe in front of her a few years back. LOL. She had only ever seen pipe smokers in her family use their fingers.

Getting burned by your mom! haha.

 

[WirelessSmoke]

I almost always use one of those one dollar pipe nails, but will use my index finger if I don't have the pipe nail on me. The pipe nail does a better job than my finger, and has the little scoop scraper at the other end which I also find useful.

 

[gkunkel]

Tamper

 

[Sobrbiker]

I almost always have a bic and a golf tee (bought a bag of bamboo ones, I do not golf-makes me sad to be on the links, I’ve yet to meet a golf course that isn’t a perfectly good waste of rifle range land).
That being said, I use my finger on blends that burn evenly most of the time, tee on ones that like to stick to the sides.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

Cheapo pipe nail. I hear Chuck Norris defeated a bunch of bad guys with one.