Need Something Better Than A Tri-Tool

[Jeremiah Johnson]

I like the idea of the tri-tool, but they’re cheaply-made and I’m constantly fiddling with them. I don’t need the reaming-tool often, so is there such a thing as a bi-tool of a tamper with a “scoop?” If not, I need JUST a good tamper about the same size, but nothing too fancy. I bought a nice one from Etsy but it’s really a little too small.

Any useful recommendations?

 

[fireground_piper]

Sounds like maybe you want something like a pipe nail?

 

[Rolling Smoke (Stu)]

I second a pipe nail. All I use nowadays is my Brebbia nail. 99p (about 88 cents??) and it is perfect. Tamp at one end, small scoop at the other. I have also seen suggestions recently for bamboo golf tees which sounded an interesting proposition.

 

[BingBong]

Rodgers type tri-tool? Tamper, knife and poker in a penknife configuration; the tamper is smaller than the Czech type, useful for the bottom of tapered chambers. The sprung shut tools mean no fiddling for tamping.

A scoop is handy, I admit, but the round tip of the knife substitutes well. Maybe because I've had one of these far longer than a Czech type is why I prefer it.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

I like the idea of the tri-tool, but they’re cheaply-made and I’m constantly fiddling with them. I don’t need the reaming-tool often, so is there such a thing as a bi-tool of a tamper with a “scoop?” If not, I need JUST a good tamper about the same size, but nothing too fancy. I bought a nice one from Etsy but it’s really a little too small.

Any useful recommendations?

Are you trying to spend money for something fancy or looking for practicality?

We were just talking about this is the Show Off thread but a golf tee is the ideal pipe tool.

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

I have been using a 4" golf tee for my MacArthur pipe. Smaller pipes can get away with shorter tees.

 

[proteus]

Pipe dowel. 1/2 diamter oak sharpened to a blunt point. Corners rounded a bit. Stained with tobacco and beeswax coated to stop any charring. Tamp one side and a tobacco bowl pick for the other. If you need to poke the airway I have a length of quality metal coat hanger which works great. Cheap easy and to use.

BTW I coat my pipe rims with a wax mixture to avoid charring the rim. Sometimes the flame blows a bit in the wrong direction.

 

[Sig]

1) Find a stick
2) Find a knife
3) Whittle stick to desired size and shape.
4) tamp away

 

[trudger]

 

[Sigmund]

8Deco. I use the one with the tamper on one end and the spoon on the other so you dont have to disassemble. I use a spoon instead of a pick. I think they are 8 bucks.

 

[The Benedictine]

I use a nail that I chopped off the point to and smoothed out.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Laguiole

 

[folkleaf]

I like the idea of the tri-tool, but they’re cheaply-made and I’m constantly fiddling with them. I don’t need the reaming-tool often, so is there such a thing as a bi-tool of a tamper with a “scoop?” If not, I need JUST a good tamper about the same size, but nothing too fancy. I bought a nice one from Etsy but it’s really a little too small.

Any useful recommendations?

I'm a big fan of the Rockwell Binge tool from P&C. They run deals on it throughout the year and sometimes you can pick them up for $5. I also love my lotus condor lighter, which is heavy duty and comes with a built-in scoop and tamper.

 

[das3353]

3 1/4" Golf tees

and

8deco Legend

 

[PaulRVA]

Chris Morgan of Morgan Pipes
Copper/Damascus tampers.
He should have some more coming up soon.
Polished Cut Nails are great too.

 

[Pooh-Bah]

Another vote endorsing the Rockwell.

 

[sablebrush52]

For tamping I use my index finger. To clean off debris from the chamber walls, a doubled over pipe cleaner or two does an excellent job.

 

[Briarcutter]

1) Find a stick
2) Find a knife
3) Whittle stick to desired size and shape.
4) tamp away

I've made many of these in a pinch!

 

[Sig]

I've made many of these in a pinch!

Me too.

 

[elvishrunes]

I used to make wooden ones, but since buying a Czech tri-tool, only use those now.

You say you don’t use the reamer, I think you mean thin pick, it’s not the tamp or scoop. But since getting the Czech I pretty often have to open the pipe and jam the pick to unplug the bowl during a smoke. So it’s very helpful there.