What Do You Use When You Can't Find Your Tamper?

[newbroom]

I often find myself lunting in the tree covered lane outside, forgetful of a golf tee, but always carrying my house key. I use the key a lot.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Right index finger when no ember on top; broken twig when out in the woods or almond orchard.

 

[iamn8]

I get why people are using their fingers. Personally, because fire=hot, I prefer to use someone else's finger.

 

[jefff]

Do too the fact that I have played the Bass for 40 years I have several calloused finger tips available.
I am never without a tamper.

 

[mortonbriar]

Yeah I finger the hole too (immature giggle). But other times a nail or screw is used.

 

[mso489]

Either index finger, either thumb, wooden golf tee (random find, I'm not a golfer). I find the tampers that never get lost are the ones that cost the least. A good 92 cent pipe nail will follow you anywhere and follow you home. It might get lost in your pocket with your folding knife, change and keys, but scoop out the pocket and there it is again.

 

[akfilm]

Almost anything that'll fit and is handy. The list is very long that I've used.

 

[tinsel]

How do you keep from burning your finger?

Been playing guitar for nearly 20 years now, so all my fingertips are calloused anyways.
Just don't hold your finger against a red ember for too long and you'll be fine. I once was tamping a MM legend with my left ring finger because the cake had gotten so thick I couldn't get my index finger into the bowl anymore. My ring finger actually got stuck in the bowl and I had to grab the bowl with my other hand to get the finger out of the chamber. Got a pretty nasty blister on my fingertip from that one. Also learned the importance of regular reamings :D
I do also have several pipe nails that I use regularly. But my fingers are probably more commonly used.

 

[mcitinner1]

I do not use my fingers once the pipe has been lit. You have to wipe your black finger tip somewhere.

 

[mackeson]

I've used finger, end of a closed pocket knife, key, dull end of eyeliner pencil (ex loved that one :? ), twig... really anything that's laying around and looks like it may work

 

[winton]

mcintinner1, that is why you should wear socks when you smoke. You always have something to clean your tamper / finger with. It helps to wear black socks, of course.

 

[didimauw]

I expected to see a lot of finger comments. I am indeed also a finger user.
I was shocked that some of you don't have a pipe tamper with them, but carry a screw or a nail?

 

[mcitinner1]

Laughing...Winton that's a great answer but 95% of the time I wear white socks. When I was growing up the ONLY time dark socks were "correct", was with dress slacks. I almost never dress that way today. Dark socks may be "in" with everything now, but not with me. It was totally Uncool to wear dark socks with tennis shoes in my day, and I never changed. :crazy:

 

[mackeson]

It was totally Uncool to wear dark socks with tennis shoes in my day

yup, me too. White socks with tennis shoes - dark socks with dress pants/shoes.

My 10 year old son loves wearing black socks with tennis shoes and shorts. Kills me every time I see it. I almost want to give him a "swirley" on general principal

 

[Chasing Embers]

My socks have to match the T-shirt I am wearing under a collared shirt, and my boots have to match my belt.

 

[deathmetal]

I use a 7.62mm round, of course. Use the pointy end or there may be a bang.

 

[hextor]

woa, imagine deathmetal, i bet there is some one in the world that has tamp their pipe with the wrong end of the bullet, only to explode in the poor fellow's face.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A friend of mine tried to use a bullet to replace a fuse in his truck, and lost a testicle.

 

[carver]

I was shocked that some of you don't have a pipe tamper with them, but carry a screw or a nail?

:rofl:

A friend of mine tried to use a bullet to replace a fuse in his truck, and lost a testicle.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
My father used to use a used bullet case in his ears to dampen the noise when practice shooting.
But more to the point of the thread, I'd not use my finger when the pipe is lit, maybe later just to tamp a little, but the initial tamping after charring, no no no !!
I've been in that situation before, I'd look around on the floor, small piece of wood, anything I could find that has some surface to it, really.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I've been using a live 303 cartridge for almost a year with no ill effect. It would need to get pretty hot to set off the fuse.
Regards,
Jay.