Packing Question

[PApiper63]

Good evening. I have a question to throw out to the forum. I have a particular pipe that I really like… the look, the feel, weight, clench ability etc. The only problem is the draw is abit tight. It is not so tight that it makes it uncomfortable to smoke but requires a slightly different technique.With a pipe with a tight draw, would you change the packing technique? Just curious what my fellow pipe smokers think about this issue.

 

[camaguey]

I have a pipe like that. I smoke Caporal or other shag cut tobacco on it. It seems to be the only cut for this kind of pipe.

 

[Cotton1]

I have not done it but have read of folks drilling the air hole just a bit.

 

[OzPiper]

Good evening. I have a question to throw out to the forum. I have a particular pipe that I really like… the look, the feel, weight, clench ability etc. The only problem is the draw is abit tight. It is not so tight that it makes it uncomfortable to smoke but requires a slightly different technique.With a pipe with a tight draw, would you change the packing technique? Just curious what my fellow pipe smokers think about this issue.

You can enlarge the airway.
I would suggest using a hand tool rather than an electric one.

Disclosure: I have not done this personally as I prefer tighter draws.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Gravity fill or air pocket fill it.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'd stick to ribbon cut blends in a pipe like that, packed loosely, and stay away from flakes.

 

[dottlejockey]

If it's a straight stem it's an ez fix with a drill bit slightly larger than the current bore. You can even do this by hand, if you feel more comfortable. I've done this with a few pipes over the years to satisfactory results as i prefer an open draw. If the stem is bent, it can be straightened for drilling and re-bent afterward with heat (heat gun or hot water dunk).

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Have you thoroughly cleaned out the bite using alcohol and a small bristle brush? It could also be the bore is slightly smaller. If your packing technique is working well with other pipes, I doubt altering the technique will change the draw much if any. It's likely the pipe.

 

[BayouGhost]

I have never had a technique other than dropping in the leaf, I guess that is called "gravity fill" and then I test the draw, tamp as needed or if it is too tight, take a pipe tool and loosen it up a bit at the stem side of the bowl then top it off. Seems to work best for me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

if it is too tight, take a pipe tool and loosen it up a bit at the stem side of the bowl then top it off.

I just smack the open end of the chamber against my palm to loosen things up.