Tampers

[St. David Pipes]

Hi all
I’m sure many of you collect tampers.
I collect pewter smith Larry Blackett (buttons for your britches fame) tampers.
What’s on your shelf?

 

[jndyer]

This is something I have considered doing. At this time, all iI have are a few basic czech tools.

 

[RonM]

Not a large collection, but like you I find tampers interesting and plan to add more. These are the four I have so far. I think the one on the right is particularly interesting; it’s made from an antler attached to a shell casing. Not really long enough, though, to get the job done in a pipe with a deep bowl.

 

[ThermionicScott]

Lately, I've had way more success just using a finger, so the tamper collection remains meager.

 

[anotherbob]

I have one and if I lose it I will get another one. I like them but mainly for function. Having a slightly nicer one is something I am down with but never really got that much into them. A really nice one wouldn't work for me as I tend to smoke out and about not while sitting down at home. So basically anything over the a few bucks is just one more expensive thing to leave somewhere.

 

[MattRVA]

My favorite is the 8deco bamboo tamper but one day I’m going to get a Larry Blackett version.

 

[daveinlax]

I have an accumulated collection of tampers I’ve picked up over the years and focused collections of Dunhill, Castello and Ming-Kahuna tampers.

 

[St. David Pipes]

I have an accumulated collection of tampers I’ve picked up over the years and focused collections of Dunhill, Castello and Ming-Kahuna tampers.

Nice!

 

[Chasing Embers]

All of these and several more but I find a finger tip more effective.

 

[St. David Pipes]

All of these and several more but I find a finger tip more effective.

View attachment 210416

Awesome! Just awesome!

 

[St. David Pipes]

My favorite is the 8deco bamboo tamper but one day I’m going to get a Larry Blackett version.

Thanks for replying back Sir

 

[Chasing Embers]

Thanks for replying back Sir

The nice thing about many 8decco tampers is their concave tamping surface that can tamp the edges and leave a domed ash cap.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

I make my own out of antler tips from deer that I've harvested.

 

[Smoke Wagon]

308 shell casing with a brass insert.

 

[BarrelProof]

I have a modest collection of around 250 tampers.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

308 shell casing with a brass insert.View attachment 210423

Nice.

 

[BarrelProof]

The nice thing about many 8decco tampers is their concave tamping surface that can tamp the edges and leave a domed ash cap.

That’s what I love about mine, too. I just counted and I have 254 tampers in the collection. All but 4 have a concave surface.

 

[mortonbriar]

That’s what I love about mine, too. I just counted and I have 254 tampers in the collection. All but 4 have a concave surface.

It's good to do a count, make sure no one has been tampering with your collection.
I have a handful but my handful of fingers are mostly all i use. I like the Czech tool for the spoon bit cleaning out.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

You don't want your tampers tampered with

 

[Templekeeper]

308 shell casing with a brass insert.View attachment 210423

Now that's a great idea for a tamper!
I was just at a convention where I saw a stand that sold shell casings. It didn't occur to me then, but next time I should maybe grab one for this purpose!

That being said, I'm not that big on tampers. I'm already obsessing too much with pipes and tobacco. Even though the freebie that came with several pipes is better (wider) I usually just stick with the tamper that's attached to my lighters out of convenience.