The Frank Method
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You know, I tried all of these different methods and in the end, watched an older gentleman scoop out of the pouch with no frets. I am now a codger scoop method fanatic.
The codger scoop works great for codgers who have 40 years of pipe smoking experience, especially with codger blends. Packing a pipe well is possible with all sorts of methods, but the best method is the one you derive from your own experience.
To address the poster’s original question, I use the Frank Method with good success. I had trouble when I tried it as a new piper because it almost always resulted in too tight of a pack. A couple months ago, I tried it again, this time using a smaller “packet”. It works much better now and is my go to method now. I suspect, though, that the improvement is due mostly due to experience and having a feel for the proper pack.
To address the poster’s original question, I use the Frank Method with good success. I had trouble when I tried it as a new piper because it almost always resulted in too tight of a pack. A couple months ago, I tried it again, this time using a smaller “packet”. It works much better now and is my go to method now. I suspect, though, that the improvement is due mostly due to experience and having a feel for the proper pack.
Great one, Jay!
Actually, it made me think of a "method" that I sometimes use: I shake the bag or jar, bringing the larger pieces to the top. They go in first. Then the top half or so gets the smaller bits and fines. Whoopee!!
If anyone hasn't heard this from me, apologies...... If your tobacco is sufficiently dry you don't need no stinkin' "method" besides what Jesse wrote above. Hint: Almost no tobacco is shipped at the best level of moisture for smoking. It's at the best level for shipping and storing.
Actually, it made me think of a "method" that I sometimes use: I shake the bag or jar, bringing the larger pieces to the top. They go in first. Then the top half or so gets the smaller bits and fines. Whoopee!!
If anyone hasn't heard this from me, apologies...... If your tobacco is sufficiently dry you don't need no stinkin' "method" besides what Jesse wrote above. Hint: Almost no tobacco is shipped at the best level of moisture for smoking. It's at the best level for shipping and storing.
You ask a serious question and get asshole answers.You got one worried about caps and I bet if I would have said the best way to load is to scoop with you finger I would have been told oh no and given a four paragraph set of instructions with pics on how to pack a bowl.I have only been a member for a few weeks but I have noticed a trend.A few of the same members no matter the subjects always just state the obvious and then disagree with what ever you say.I asked about a legitimate method for loading a bowl not opinions on anything else if you don't know why chime in?Where are the rules on being a dick?These are my thoughts and opinions.
Jay, thank you for a new and instant classic!
I watched all three of the Frank videos on the Frank method. Three videos on how to put tobacco in a chamber, beginning with thumb calisthenics. Frank calls his method, German packing.
It is very German. Its level of exactitude reminds me of my GF's best friend Gretchen, who is also very German and very exact. When planning an excursion into the city, Gretchen will invariably send Jay an email, listing the exact time she will pick Jay up, how long it should take to drive to BART parking, the time it should take to make it to the BART platform from the parking, the time when they will reach their stop, how many steps from the BART station to their destination, etc. Gretchen lists times in hours, minutes, and seconds.
I watched all three of the Frank videos on the Frank method. Three videos on how to put tobacco in a chamber, beginning with thumb calisthenics. Frank calls his method, German packing.
It is very German. Its level of exactitude reminds me of my GF's best friend Gretchen, who is also very German and very exact. When planning an excursion into the city, Gretchen will invariably send Jay an email, listing the exact time she will pick Jay up, how long it should take to drive to BART parking, the time it should take to make it to the BART platform from the parking, the time when they will reach their stop, how many steps from the BART station to their destination, etc. Gretchen lists times in hours, minutes, and seconds.
You got serious responses and some not so serious. This is just what you should have expected as you've no doubt seen such all over this site as you perused it. We are a mixed group, some of us are assholes and others are "dicks", some are both by choice. We know who we are. But you, through your public observation of such, have cemented your place in the fold.
Perhaps now is a good time to acquaint yourself with the rules. We do try to play by them. Without them, we'd morph into a totally uncivilized bunch.
This site is a waste of time.A few members that help with real info.The rest are wanna be writers and fake poets price gougers that get to pretend that they know what they are talking about.I have seen it said that there is no wrong way then see people get told there way is just the least right.I thought a pipe forum is where you could go while you smoke and get questions answered not a place were people who have obviously been bullied or picked on in there life go to be passive aholes to people looking to them for knowledge.I see this is not the pipe forum for young smoker to learn anything but a few blends to try
Well since I have picked up on a few blends to try from the fee with something worth while to say it's time to find a forum that looks to inform new smokers.I will send a PM or two to the couple members who have been really helpful to see if they will continue to help by answering my questions.Thanks to the few that gave me some great pointers.
Well since I have picked up on a few blends to try from the fee with something worth while to say it's time to find a forum that looks to inform new smokers.I will send a PM or two to the couple members who have been really helpful to see if they will continue to help by answering my questions.Thanks to the few that gave me some great pointers.
Most assuredly. That's what forums are about. BTW, online, TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS CONSIDERED THE SAME AS SCREAMING, which is why many find it objectionable.
If that didn't happen, forums would not exist. I could write, "My apple is red" and there would be 30 posts about it, including some that would insist that I'm mistaken, and that it was a green orange.
Controlling forum responses is like herding cats. Drift happens all the time. Get over it.
I hope my post are received with thick skin.Im looking forward to see how people try to explain how my opinions are wrong thus proving my earlier post are right.
"I perceive my apple to be red" would be the safest manner of informing us what you think you are seeing. There is no arguing with one's perceptions I think. Or ... is there?
Didn't know about the caps just like people didn't know about the Frank method.Also not trying to control anything just giving my opinions.Or was that driftng?
Warren, you're not going to get all postmodern on me, are you?
(See? An example of forum drift...)
Returning to the Frank method, I'd have been more interested if he included something about the moisture levels of his tobacco. Seeing someone filling straight from the tin doesn't inspire my confidence. It does use the same principle as the three step method - looser pack at the bottom of the chamber - denser pack at the top.
I've tried a variety of different packing methods and still use several depending on the cut. If something works well for you, excellent!
Hang in there, soon you'll feel comfortable. Lower your expectations, accept the "failings" of the other members. And, above all, try not to take any response personally.
Hey now Sablebrush! My German wife is far from exact, rather spontaneous in fact. A free spirit I met while doing research in Africa. Living in Germany for now I find some of the stereotypes of Germans to be untrue. Like the stereotypes across the world that we Americans are insincere, fat, stupid, loud and arrogant (as a side note my American ancestry goes back to early 17th century and includes American Revolutionary War patriots).
Not in the least insulted by the post just sharing my recent life experience in Germany.
As to the overall post. Pipe smoking seems to the be the quintessential example of something that is as simple or complicated as one chooses to make it. Personally I simply stuff the tobacco in if it is loose, or fold and stuff if it is flake. If I have problems I keep in mind that it would be better to have the bottom loose and the top tight. If the draw is too hard I poke at it with my tool.
Not in the least insulted by the post just sharing my recent life experience in Germany.
As to the overall post. Pipe smoking seems to the be the quintessential example of something that is as simple or complicated as one chooses to make it. Personally I simply stuff the tobacco in if it is loose, or fold and stuff if it is flake. If I have problems I keep in mind that it would be better to have the bottom loose and the top tight. If the draw is too hard I poke at it with my tool.
I see some people are gonna type just to type relevant or not.Try to disprove anything you say because that is what they are doing all the time I accept that.They need to accept they are gonna be called on it some times.What if you telling a guy that's color blind your apple is red or a blind guy.Its red to you and not to them.I don't care about drifting as you call.I care about people who have used the Frank method and what leaf works the best not people saying its wrong or this or that.I drifted to say I didn't care for people that don't give some type of useful information to the contrary of using said method saying there were better methods just on there opinion.Im supposed to be ok with that yet someone hops right on here to do the opposite of what they are typing right at that moment by telling me how I am suppose accept whatever opinion someone gives me on my post.Whats the word for that?
We're not? I have been misinformed! I take you point, Seldom, stereotypes are just that. Still, I do find Gretchen's exactitude amusing as hell, and she's also funny, intensely smart, and someone Jay can trust absolutely.
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