Quote Originally Posted by cbr310 View Post
Aafter about 3-4 months of piping still cant get it to stay lite. I pack with the 3rds method and have tried swirl and frank method. The draw is fine and not over packed, nor do I think its to loose. I tamp every now and again. Seems like in relighting about every 5 mins at most. The bacy is pretty dry. If you smoke to fast will it go out? Im still enjoying it but going through lighters like crazy. Jealous of hearing everyone smoking through with just a light or two. Ok rants over back to it and watch the pens game!
Hi Matt,

You're asking the right question and getting good advice because we all do what works and there's not really a right or wrong. We all have to relight from time to time and I've been smoking a pipe 49 years.

When you pack, make sure that you can feel or hear your draw through the pipe. You don't want the tobacco to be too tight and better to be a little loose (you can tamp it to suit). It's more important to press the tobacco down around the edges than in the center.

I'd suggest that you try matches, paper or wooden (comment below)at least for the time being. Lighters can be difficult to light across the entire surface of the bowl and you have more control with matches. Don't worry if it takes you a few matches to get a solid charring light and make sure that you well lit and then work on your rhythm so that you're getting sufficient smoke but not creating heat (where the bowl is hot). Technique has a way of suddenly being apparent, it will happen, be patient.
@Bruck makes a good point that the cadence is very different from cigars.

I like the smaller stick matches. Dollar Tree sells Diamond Matches, 10 boxes of 32 for $1.00. That's 320 matches for a buck.