For some yes, for others no. i prefer zero resistance to the draw and the free flow of air cuts down on the need of relights.
Packing Density of Bowl - Should it be Uniform from Top to Bottom?
- Thread starter sugardaddy
- Start date
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Draw teast doesn't get any respect. Take a fraction of a second, and will let you know if you need to repack or you are going to be needing pipe tools, pipe cleaner and possibly dumping the content mid-smoke.
Definitely pack looser on bottom, tighter on top. The tobacco will 'tighten' near the bottom as it collects smoke, moisture, ash, and gets packed down with tamping. Tamp lightly.
When I stopped watching videos and trying all the so called methods I actually got better at loading and enjoyed piping a lot more. Now all I do is gravity fill and repeatedly tap the bottom of the pipe on a leather pad or my knee to settle. Add more and tap again with a light press and maybe add more. Again a very light press to even out and then smoke away. Flakes i fold and stuff.
I usually codger scoop and put a slightly more dense plug on top. Gentle push down, draw test, and light up. Light packing is best and be sure not to over-tamp. Every pipe has a different draw which means that you must adjust accordingly.
Loose pack means a lot of smoke. I tamp until I achieve a smoldering, trickle of smoke. I walk a fine line.
Sometimes requiring more relights. But this is a result of the weather and humidity rather than packing.
The once like a child, once like a lady, once like a gentleman method has become second nature.
Sometimes requiring more relights. But this is a result of the weather and humidity rather than packing.
The once like a child, once like a lady, once like a gentleman method has become second nature.
Load a bowl not pack, pack is cramming something completely full with as much as it can hold, not a good idea to “pack” a pile, you load them. 
I don't think too much about it. Which is probably why I'm still capable of making a pig's ear of it. Especially with a blend I haven't smoked before.
Describing how to pack a pipe is like describing how to make chord changes on a guitar.
It requires a lot of practice, before it’s natural.
It requires a lot of practice, before it’s natural.
well yeah, but that's neither good nor bad, I would guess. Because if you pack denser, then your smokes would be longer, right?
So total smoke time per tin should be pretty much the same whether you pack light, medium, or tight. What would differ is how many bowls it does it in.
Usually, I prefer a method whereby I load two or three pinches in the bowl until it has some resistance.
Don't really think about how I pack/load my pipes. Most of the time, I just fill it up with tobacco and push down on top. Sometimes, grab good amount of tobacco and shove into the bowl with twist motion. Sometimes.. Only thing I think about when loading the bowl/chamber is, give it a good air flow and possibly a big air pocket. Draw test always confirm I have no resistance in the draught hole and stem.