That it is. Very contemplativeFun thread! I need to think the pipe over but armored Zippo with pipe insert and 8deco Legend are easy picks.
Pretty much these are in use a lot.
I've got artisan tampers that are primarily for photo dressing. Nowhere near as accurate as a finger tip.There are a number of pipes that I enjoy smoking, Swan Vestas or a BIC for lighting, and...yep... my index finger for tamping and scooping and packing. Funny, because I have beautiful tampers made by Silver Gray, Barling, and others, and just come back to my my index finger, the perfect tool for me.
While I use a tamper 50% of the time, the other 50 is my finger and it's all about speed. You touch and go. Once finger is out, you brush fingers together and it's painless. A tamper is better for a good, even tamp. Especially deep in the bowl.Finger tip guys- You do this while the cherry is visible? I'm too delicate a soul to do that.
Total beast action right there!