Quote Originally Posted by Horseshoe View Post
How often should you tamp?
How much rest should a pipe get before re-use? (Does the same go for partial bowls?)
I usually tamp either when I know for a fact I have a healthy stacking of loose ash or I detect the amber is starting to go out a bit. If it's starting to go out I puff while gently tamping. This usually brings it back to life.

As for resting, I think we pipers can stress a bit too much about it. My pipes usually get at the very least a few days rest just because I have quite a few, but I have smoked the same pipe though several bowls over a few days and didn't really notice any ill effects. Pipers back in the day often had one pipe they would smoke the crap out of and then just replace. I have seen pictures of estate pipes you would be lucky to be able to fit a pencil in. Luckily none I have purchased have been quite that bad.