How about some piper 101

[Lostmason]

I know that many here are all ready set in their ways,but we have quite a few new pipers joining us and
I thought we might share some pipers experience with them.The tamper can be your best friend with
your pipe, or your greatest frustration.You don't use it to pack your pipe,but I have.Especially those
mini-pipes. After you've packed and lit your pipe, you use the tamper to gently push the ember down onto
the tobacco. I've found with my briars that when I hear or feel a gurgelling, if I use the tamper to tighten
the bowl, push down a touch more firmly, that the tobacco soaks up the moisture and that annoying sound
stops. I have two tampers that I use, a czech 3 in 1 tool and a piece of Silver Maple that I carved for that
purpose. I've use a new pencil and a nail before.The nice thing about my SM tamper, I get a soft hit of wood
smoke from it,really adds to the tobacco.

[bluenoser]

until recently I used a wooden golf tee as a tamp. Worked adequately until I received a proper tamp.

[NeverBend]

until recently I used a wooden golf tee as a tamp. Worked adequately until I received a proper tamp.

Hi Blake,

Good to see you around again.

I used golf tees when I smoked in the store because people 'borrowed' them and they're a lot cheaper than Sheffield Pipe Knives. The point's good for roughing the ash to spill out and it's an excellent tamper.

@Lostmason

Matt, very good discussion because pipe smoking is all about the pack and how you handle it while smoking.

Tight draw is caused by too tight a pack or obstruction of the airway. Either way, if you're not yet lit, try unloading the pipe, clearing the airway (if obstructed) or re-packing. Bad pack = bad smoke.

If the draw was fine and suddenly it's tight then something moved into the airway. Run pipe cleaners into the chamber, may take several passes. If the problem persists then you may want to gently push tobacco away from the draught hole (chamber) with the pick.

When packing, put whole strands or partial flakes at the bottom to avoid small particles from entering the airway, (use small pieces on top of the bottom layer). For very new smokers, you can run a pipe cleaner so that it's ~1/8" into the bowl before you pack but, eventually, learn to pack without it.

[Lostmason]

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@Lostmason

Matt, very good discussion because pipe smoking is all about the pack and how you handle it while smoking.

Thank you Pete

Packing is something I'm still learning,especially when changing between different cuts and moisture content. I tend to have more problems
with a meer than a briar,I've had to unplug both due to actually stuffing tobacco into the airway.Now my one and only cob has smoked like
a champ with the first bowl. I have to admit there will be more cobs added to my rotation.

[Haebar]

Thank you Pete

Packing is something I'm still learning,especially when changing between different cuts and moisture content. I tend to have more problems
with a meer than a briar,I've had to unplug both due to actually stuffing tobacco into the airway.Now my one and only cob has smoked like
a champ with the first bowl. I have to admit there will be more cobs added to my rotation.

You probably already know about it, but Missouri Meerschaum Company sells a 10-pack of seconds for $29.99. They have an X on the bottom made with a Sharpie, but other than that they are good smokers and it is hard to find the flaws.

[Lostmason]

You probably already know about it, but Missouri Meerschaum Company sells a 10-pack of seconds for $29.99. They have an X on the bottom made with a Sharpie, but other than that they are good smokers and it is hard to find the flaws.

That's the plan,I figure on ordering two packs later this summer,just depends on how work and bills go.

[El Whedo]

I use a clothes peg as a tamper.

[Lostmason]

I have in the past used a tamper to pack the tobacco, much to my chagrin.If you over pack, to tight of a draw,then the other little tool comes in handy.
The spike or pick, use it to loosen up your tobacco and repack so you have a slight resistance, not as much as a cigar but more than sucking air.If you
have pack your pipe so tight as to be plugged, unpack completely on a plate and blow through your pipe to clear the draw opening on the bottom. Then
repack loosely at first and a bit firmer as you fill the bowl.There are a few different methods of packing that can be found on you-tube.Try all of them,
and try the with different tobacco cuts, you will find one that works for you.

[Desertlifter]

I use one of three tampers - a pipe nail, a tamper that a BOTL turned on a lathe for me, and a deer antler with a .45ACP shell attached to one end.

[Lostmason]

Some links to help

These first two are on packing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCD5NPS2Zj4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XTMiR6GStg

Lighting a pipe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXOx7hXDRQw

This on forming a cake (breaking in a new pipe)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHkPEONQAR0