To Fake Light or Not to Fake Light... That is the Question

[irishjedi]

Greetings folks, first off I must say this website is pretty rad. The fellowship that lurks on this site is top notch. So as a new pipe smoker (cigar convert) on the subject of "fake lighting" is this to aid in the beginning ash to better pack the bowl? Would love to get some advice/comments on this. Cheers
Mike

 

[pstlpkr]

There is no hard and fast rule about the "False Light" and "True".

If you want to light up and smoke, that's fine.

The reason I like to False Light first (let it go out, and using tamper sand and tamp), is to create a nice flat surface for the True Light.

This allows the True Light to establish a good controlled ember.

With good puffing and tamping technique you can hold the temperature down, while permitting the nuances of the tobacco flavors to come through and extend the duration of your smoke, limiting re-lights to a minimum or eliminating the need to re-light altogether... (that is until the tobacco is consumed.)

I hope that helps.

::

 

[fitzy]

I assume you mean like the first initial charing light. Essentially you light it once. Tamp it to smooth it down and even the surface out then have your true light. I generally follow that procedure however since I started with the Frank method of pipe packing I don't put any pressure on that tamp. I just lightly put the tamper on top of the tobacco using just the weight of the tamper itself and then continue with the true light.

 

[fitzy]

Damn Lawrence beat me to it.

 

[spartan]

The purpose of a false light is to make sure you get an even burn. During the first light, the false light, the tobacco will unravel and rise up. Let the lit tobacco slowly burn out, and then tamp down the ash that you've made with the false light. The next light will be much easier in getting an even light. It's important to get as even an ember as possible, but don't fret over it, and be careful not to scorch your rim.
If your tobacco is dry enough you can skip the false light. It's half ritual and half practical.

 

[judcole]

These guys have said it all.

 

[kashmir]

I'll echo what Lawrence said. Sage advice.