Got busy yesterday and didn't post my morning pipe. It's a twin of Chris's @Bama Samurai Thomas Cristiano loaded from a matching tin of Capstan Original Navy Cut.
I earned this bowl of Old Toby with a few hours of tough yardwork - planted 2 lilacs, 3 peonies and some raspberries after clearing the back of the yard. This bowl did not smoke well, though - the tobacco seemed wetter, and it was harder to keep lit, and relighting made the flavor less pleasing.
Pack more loosely, perhaps? I've found that different pipes like different load density. It's all about airflow.
One week ago (last Sunday) I participated in a competition in a beautiful mountain valley in Central Switzerland. Unfortunately there were only 22 participants. The date was a bad choice. It was long weekend of Whit Sunday, when most people take a short vacation. However, I enjoyed the 2 hours motorcycle drive and the rustic place and rustic food. The smoking times remained very low in average. But it was fun, as always.
That is what I have always been doing to stuff my pipes. This video explaines it in a complicated, or let's say, in a very extensive way. And why would this method be called "the German method"? The essential is, to pack loose at the bottom of the pot, and pack denser on top. What are your views?
When I'm looking for a "quick smoke" I've experimented trying to leave an open space below the tobacco. Compressing a pinch and screwing it into the bowl so that it expands and clings to the walls. Usually I loosely fill to the top, and pack to half the depth. Then fill the remaining space and pack to 3/4 of 7/8 depending on the product. Either way does require tamping during lighting, and again during consumption.
Got inspired by the German references. Loaded the Jobey Stromboli with Germain's Brown Flake. It's a very satisfying smoke with a nearly cigar like flavor. TS Alberto keeps shifting the direction of the wind. It's brought some welcome cool breezes to SW Louisiana.
Absolutely. The Gatlinburlier, in Gatlinburg, TN, says to load a pinch and press with the strength of a child. Add another pinch, and press with the strength of a woman. Lastly, add another pinch and press with the strength of a man. I don’t necessarily follow that exactly, what I do is add a fair sized pinch, then add another and gently roll in from the sides, maybe repeating one time. Following what you said, loose at the bottom and firmer on top.
We’re getting rain now from TS Alberto. Just started, Birmingham is at the Northernmost edge of the storm at this time.
Thank you! It has the deepest rustication that makes for an easy grip. PS 312 Toasted Burley in the Chacom 115J bent billiard.
I got up early this morning and went to the shooting range. That’s a Gefapip giant pipe, made in France, full of Lane’s Crown achievement. The pipe is bigger than my .25 acp. Hahaha. The zippo lighter, was one of my grandfather’s. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk