Sometimes my humor runs off the rails. I think I was a bit tired when I wrote that.
Packing a Pipe...
- Thread starter tzinc
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You might want to try the swirl method as well. Youtube "swirl method fox". The David McGrane video. It's quick, painless, and simple resulting in a perfectly packed pipe every time for me. Flakes, of course, require a different method. Some fold and stuff, some rub it out, some cube cut the flakes and gravity feed. Experiment and you'll find which one works best for you.
I've talked about it before but I do a modified three step pack. Basically you gravity fill the pipe and pack it down a few times but only let the tip of your thumb or finger go into the chamber. It seems to work great for me and actually gives a lot of leeway as far as how packed you can go or how light you go. Take a pinch drop it in tap the pipe on your palm repeat until you can press it down a tiny bit with your finger repeat until you're happy with how packed it is. Which varies for different cuts. For instance with shags I cram a bunch in and it still burns wonderfully. Weird thing is sometimes if you over pack it getting it started can be tricky but once it's lit the rest smokes perfectly.
The swirl method? My GF was trying to explain that to me the other night, but I was loading my pipe, trying to make sure only the tip of my finger got in the chamber, and didn't pay enough attention.....
If it smokes fine for you, I'm not aware of any downside to packing loosely.
are you sure she was talking about the pipe? I ask because I am not sure if you're talking about the pipe either.
Lmao those posts remind me of Jerry Seinfeld’s signature bedroom move haha
The three step method works for many, but packing a bowl in three steps means you have three chances to screw it up. Gravity fill it, with fairly dry tobacco. Cheers.
I'm with @jpmcwjr -- I enjoy the swirl method, but I can't do it outside... it just makes such a mess and you end up blowing all over the place.
I like the finger method (just the tip mind), or the old fold and stuff.
It depends upon the cut for sure, this is why I like a nice shag. Quick and easy. Pack her tight. and hard to mess up.
Which reminds me, I think I'll have a bowl of G&H's Dark Birdseye.
I like the finger method (just the tip mind), or the old fold and stuff.
It depends upon the cut for sure, this is why I like a nice shag. Quick and easy. Pack her tight. and hard to mess up.
Which reminds me, I think I'll have a bowl of G&H's Dark Birdseye.
Just fill the pipe. You want the strands to touch each other so they can light each other as they smolder coolly. You also want room for airflow. As they burn they expand and the ash acts as an insulator so you have to tamp them back against the ember. Just the word pack implies tight. You want it touching not tight.
Sorry to bring this up, but thanks for so much advice, I finally solved my problem!
Some say looser, some say tighter. Why?
One reason is that there will be tradeoffs, no matter how you pack. Another reason is that all the different pipes and tobaccos have different 'burn characteristics'. Another is that the different cuts of tobacco conform to being packed into a bowl in very different ways.
For flakes, I love to fold and stuff. The flakes are tightly folded and held between thumb and forefinger, but they are stuffed them in such as way as there is only loose contact between the tobacco and the sides of the chamber. After doing this correctly, its all too easy to mess things up at the finish. For the tobacco that sticks up over the rim, I cut it with a scissor, rather than push it down or pull it out. In this way, you can have a fairly tight pack with a good draw.
One reason is that there will be tradeoffs, no matter how you pack. Another reason is that all the different pipes and tobaccos have different 'burn characteristics'. Another is that the different cuts of tobacco conform to being packed into a bowl in very different ways.
For flakes, I love to fold and stuff. The flakes are tightly folded and held between thumb and forefinger, but they are stuffed them in such as way as there is only loose contact between the tobacco and the sides of the chamber. After doing this correctly, its all too easy to mess things up at the finish. For the tobacco that sticks up over the rim, I cut it with a scissor, rather than push it down or pull it out. In this way, you can have a fairly tight pack with a good draw.
If it's a flake, I break it up some but not overly small and fill the bowl, light finger press down, and then top with a little of the tobacco shake to get the bowl going, Every other cut I fill the bowl about half way up, light finger press down, repeat to fill the bowl. I like having the tobacco a little below the rim of the bowl to avoid scorching the rim.
Try to do it in a way that leaves as much air space at the bottom of the chamber as possible when packing. This will ensure easy drawing and fewer problems when you smoke down. This is sensible and results in an almost perfectly packed bowl. You have to follow the "rules" first and then learn how to break them. There are different methods of twisting, and if something is unclear, it is much more effective to watch a YouTube video.
Flakes need some experiments. What works for me is, dry it like time is on your side. Dried PS Navy Flake 5 hours today. Fold it, work it, stuff it, top it, and light it. Smokes like a champ. After doing this, I was thinking "if I do all this, what's the difference in this and rubbing it fully out?" To me, taste is little lighter, burns longer, and makes me feel better that I can fold and stuff flakes.
It just depends on cut and moisture content. Not all blends are packed alike. One size doesn’t fit all.
Excluding folding, I gravity fill everything. The density and moisture per blend works itself out when tapping the pipe against my palm.