I have always just used the standard aluminum pipe nail. I have had others, but gave them away as I never found them to be as convenient as the old nail. I have a Czech tamper on the porch, and I use it sometimes, but I'm always fiddling with the tools to get the right one I need. However it's always been the one to carry in a pocket. I know a lot of you folks collect tampers, or make them, and that's cool as some are real works of art. I'm just talking about how well it functions compared to other tampers.
Now I have found my favorite tamper! It looks better than a nail in my opinion, works better too and is quite cheap. It's the 8deco bamboo and brass tamper. I found it at Smoking Pipes for $3.75. It's a lot longer than the standard nail for deep bowls, has a pointy end for stirring ashes, and the tamper is unique in that it's concave and has holes in it so you can draw through your pipe while tamping. For me this works better than any tamper I've come across yet regardless of price. It's not beautiful but nicer looking than the standard nail. Anyone else like these?
Now I have found my favorite tamper! It looks better than a nail in my opinion, works better too and is quite cheap. It's the 8deco bamboo and brass tamper. I found it at Smoking Pipes for $3.75. It's a lot longer than the standard nail for deep bowls, has a pointy end for stirring ashes, and the tamper is unique in that it's concave and has holes in it so you can draw through your pipe while tamping. For me this works better than any tamper I've come across yet regardless of price. It's not beautiful but nicer looking than the standard nail. Anyone else like these?
