What Happened To The Scoop And Press Method?

[indianafrank]

I can remember, oh so many years ago, when TV’s were black and white, cars were made of steel, jeans could be purchased for $7, malts could be drank while sitting at a drug store counter, and pipe smokers filled their pipes by dipping their pipes into a pouch, or tin, thus scooping tobacco into the bowl. And then they packed and lit.
So what happened to the malts at the counter, cars we could fix ourselves, inexpensive clothes, and the old way of filling a pipe bowl? Are the new ways like the 3 step method, the Frank method, or the air pocket method, just a sign of a society going barmy?
Like when I ask for a burger and fries I do not want to be asked if I’d like a pickle, mayo, or bacon on it. If I wanted those items, I’d ask for them.
When I go to get my oil changed, I do not want to be asked if I want to buy a $25 air filter when I can buy one for eight dollars.
And when I pay for items I like using cash. I do not use plastic. So please do not ask me to sign up for a free credit card. If I wanted one, I wouldn’t be using cash.
Do we really need to continually complicate life? We used to read newspapers, books, and magazines on real paper, and now, if we don’t lose internet access, we read on tablets, computers, Ipods and ipads. And those items break down.
I can remember watching my grandfather filling his pipe. It seemed so simple, just scoop, press and light. Nor can I ever remember any of his pipe smoking friends telling him to use the 3 step method.
Thoreau said, “The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation.”
Indeed we do. And I wonder, if Throeau had smoked a pipe, would he use the scoop and press method, or the 3 step way?
Would he be as frustrated with the various ways of pipe filling as I?
My God, sooner or later, one of these methods has to work! It’s time for a bourbon!

 

[darwin]

40 years ago if you were not in range of a decent tobacconist then about the only choices were drugstore blends of which almost all were thin cut and some were outright shags which lend themselves to the stuff & puff method. Thicker cuts which require more care in loading were rare or non-existent. Some of those old brands are still available but many have PG added to them which stretches shelf life but makes lighting harder.

 

[dottiewarden]

I can remember watching my grandfather filling his pipe. It seemed so simple, just scoop, press and light.

Scoop, press and light still works for me, however more granular cuts can be kind of poured into the pipe. I also sometimes pinch a clump of ribbon cut and pop it into the pipe, leaving an air pocket below. Fact is filling (not packing) a pipe comes natural to some of us, we just know when and how to do it with no further thought.
However, I'm sure some beginners appreciate all the advice they can get on pipe filling techniques, just these days they give them fancy names!

 

[drwatson]

Ahh! I scoop! I think that some of the others methods work well too, but scooping just takes alittle more getting used to by feel. Also some of the different cuts of tobacco almost force one to use different packing methods.

 

[phil67]

I do indeed remember those easier days with great fondness.

However, now when I press I usually poop!

 

[warren]

If I'm loading out of a pouch that is how I do it. Hard to scoop from a tin though. Although, I don't really scoop with the bowl.
People can't see you load in the pouch. I push a bit of blend into the bowl, tamp with my finger and add a bit more tobacco. Soon the bowl is packed and I'm lighting it. I do the same when loading from a jar if pipe and fist will both fit. It's less messy with less clean up.

 

[pitchfork]

Good points. I use that method pretty much exclusively with certain burley blends.

 

[natenice1]

Great points Frank, my sentiments exactly! I use that method exclusively.

 

[sablebrush52]

Scoop and press works for me most of the time. Flakes require a different approach.

 

[frank13]

+1. Especially from a pouch.
Open pouch, scoop with pipe until filled, press with a thumb or forefinger, draw to be sure of no problems, charring light, tamp, light, enjoy... ::

 

[phred]

When I'm using a pouch, I'll scoop. Out of a jar or a tin, however, it's a little more difficult (depending on the size of the jar).
As for the rest, I'd be more willing to buy books in their "dead tree" editions if I had more space to store them in - I've had to purge my library 3 or 4 times over the last 10 years just to keep it in check, and we're due for another since we have some signed editions that we picked up lately. The e-readers are far more convenient, especially as fast as I read. I stopped subscribing to the newspaper back when Denver still had 2 to choose from, as 90% of the pages seemed to be furniture or department store ads, and the comics had shrunk to the point of illegibility. I get the bulk of my news from the radio (talk about an older technology!), supplemented by online references and the occasional viewing of "The Daily Show"...
Ooh - and I need to check and see if Zelazny's second Amber series is available from Kobo, as my well-worn paperback copies have bindings that are in the process of failing... Books break down, too. :D

 

[danielplainview]

Ahh, the good ol days.

I would like to ad bottled coke with real sugar and Daisy Duke.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I do indeed remember those easier days with great fondness.

However, now when I press I usually poop!

:rofl: Phil

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I think the "scoop and press" method is now called "Gravity loading", sounds very high-tech, but it's basically the same thing.
One of these days I'm going to have to force myself to gravity load everything for at least a month, being too picky about my loading practices can lead to a bit of frustration sometimes.
Since it's right around the corner, maybe we should add packing your tobacco as an addition to No Shave November.
If you're growing a beard in November, be a man and stop fiddling with your 'baccy, just stick it in there and smoke it (bonus points for uneven loading and half-flakes sticking out the top).

 

[jeepnewbie]

+1 To the scooping. If it can't be scooped I'll approach with a different method. When I scoop I use it with the 3 step method. If works for me.

 

[leacha]

Scoop method is one of the ways that will never die. As for the other points, time marches on. Either you adapt or you get left behind. While the old days/times are nice, we live in the here and now. My father has never used a computer is proud to anounce that fact. Because of that, he is missing his grandson growing up (lives 1K miles from me). If it wasn't for him, personally I would never use the mail system.

 

[pylorns]

Yeah I do scoop and press on a lot of blends.

 

[warren]

I still use the USPS as I haven't figured out how to send a broken camera to Nikon, thank you notes, invitations, and etc. through the ether.
Tobacco blends, media cards, certain food stuffs, and other things are items I routinely receive through the mail.
An observation: When I load and tamp in the pouch, my eyes are not in the equation, the only sense involved is that of feel. I think that sometimes I do my best loading when I do it "blind." Nothing earth shaking about that of course, just a feeling.

 

[andystewart]

+1 Warren. When not smoking flakes (sable you beat me to it!) I scoop and press in the pouch as it's easier, quicker, and no mess. Loading by feel is more natural and an enjoyable part of the ritual.
Andy

 

[i8ball]

i love the scoop and press method it seems to help with tongue bite for me at least