If You're Still Struggling With Packing...

[seldom]

Today I helped an elderly friend get his firewood stacked and ready for winter. I mention this because this evening as I was enjoying a pipe and reflecting on the day it occurred to me that living in wood heated homes has given me an intuitive sense of how to pack a pipe. Okay, a pipe isn't exactly a wood stove but there is something about it that reminds me of getting a wood stove to burn just right. Not so hot as to make the home feel like a sauna, not too cool, and that last bit before calling it a night to make it last.

 

[rdavid]

Yep, it's all myth and dogma. The less technical you get about smoking a pipe, the easier it is.

My thoughts exactly. I’m usually somewhat OCD but it seems The less fuss I make of things, the more pleasurable and relaxing it is. So I might need an extra relight or two... No biggie.

 

[mso489]

Old timers could hold the pouch in one hand and scoop with the bowl of the pipe in the other, riding the train while reading the paper. Practice.

 

[sparroa]

Well said, seldom...
I have often thought of a pipe in those terms.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Old timers could hold the pouch in one hand and scoop with the bowl of the pipe in the other, riding the train while reading the paper. Practice.

Am I an oldtimer?? That's what I do when driving (though usually not reading the newspaper), or watching TV and drinking coffee.
A true post, if not overstated:

If it's dry enough no "technique" is required. Exception: flake, rope, plug: those require some doing.