Hirsute
Used to have fun with Commander Yellow Pantyhose
Gentle sirs, with all of the threads of late focused on poor pipe smoking and the various packing methods and merits thereof, I thought to myself: perhaps the problem is in the tamp.
Oh, lowly tamp thou neglected of pipe smoking skills! Thou most disregarded and yet ever so important! For a thing well begun will finish well! Let us turn our attention then to the lowly tamp...
What is the purpose of the tamp? Only, to extinguish. The tamp is not really to pack or compress. The charring light is hand in glove with the tamp. The aim of both is to light all of the surface of the tobacco on the top of the bowl, then completely extinguish so that it forms a unified burned layer. Do not apply force! The tamp is not a smash! Merely apply your tamper gently to the surface long enough to extinguish. If the top is not completely charred, I might do two or even three charring lights and tamps until the entire surface is charred. And then, I might put the pipe down for a minute to let the embers completely die before relighting.
Why? Having a uniform char helps the bowl smoke evenly, slowly, and consistently throughout your smoke. As you develop your pipe smoking prowess, you will develop a feel for whether to apply some light pressure while tamping. I find this helps compact the charred top layer and form a more dense charcoal on the top, which in turn yields a more even burn and promotes slower smoking and fewer relights.
But for all of you newbies, for not fear not the tamp! Lightly applied, and carefully administered, it is the start of a good smoke! Take your time. Start your smoke well, and you will finish well. Tamp away fellow pipe travelers!
Oh, lowly tamp thou neglected of pipe smoking skills! Thou most disregarded and yet ever so important! For a thing well begun will finish well! Let us turn our attention then to the lowly tamp...
What is the purpose of the tamp? Only, to extinguish. The tamp is not really to pack or compress. The charring light is hand in glove with the tamp. The aim of both is to light all of the surface of the tobacco on the top of the bowl, then completely extinguish so that it forms a unified burned layer. Do not apply force! The tamp is not a smash! Merely apply your tamper gently to the surface long enough to extinguish. If the top is not completely charred, I might do two or even three charring lights and tamps until the entire surface is charred. And then, I might put the pipe down for a minute to let the embers completely die before relighting.
Why? Having a uniform char helps the bowl smoke evenly, slowly, and consistently throughout your smoke. As you develop your pipe smoking prowess, you will develop a feel for whether to apply some light pressure while tamping. I find this helps compact the charred top layer and form a more dense charcoal on the top, which in turn yields a more even burn and promotes slower smoking and fewer relights.
But for all of you newbies, for not fear not the tamp! Lightly applied, and carefully administered, it is the start of a good smoke! Take your time. Start your smoke well, and you will finish well. Tamp away fellow pipe travelers!
