The Two Finger Tamper

[cigrmaster]

I learned this a long time ago from smoking other pipes. When you feel like your pipe is about to go out, cover the bowl with a couple of fingers and then give a few deep draws quickly in a row and you should be able to continue smoking with out tamping and relighting. I instinctively do it and if it doesn't light up right away it probably means I need to dump some ash, scrape the sides of the bowl tamp lightly and relight.

 

[bullet08]

That works sometimes, and sometimes doesn't. Probably my technique. So I just relight at the sign of ember going away. Just a light touch of Zippo, and back in business.

 

[kcghost]

No, I doubt it is your technique. Sometimes timing is everything.

 

[anotherbob]

never been a fan of that technique tamping a bit is a lot easier and more effective.

 

[didimauw]

I always like to do it and pretend that it works. But then I continue tamping.

 

[Chasing Embers]

It causes an acceleration of the current moving into the chamber like slightly blocking the flow of water from a hose. It effectively floods the chamber with more oxygen much like rapid puffing.

 

[crusader]

Also creating a vacuum by covering the chamber and hence compressing the baccy and ember a bit.

 

[J-Evverrett]

It does work, but not if it does need a tamp. If you tamp with your finger anyway it works out pretty easily. Just make sure to trim your nail lol

 

[Honkytonk Man]

Already a 2-finger tamper, here.

 

[tklee]

Oh ya, I do it all the time. Just that sometimes the pipe is left there too long, the ember was gone, then need to re-light. Somehow, I feel it looks more stylish to tamp with finger, look like a pro

 

[captpat]

I'll try it now and again, sometimes it works just fine. Generally I'm a tamper guy.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Also creating a vacuum by covering the chamber and hence compressing the baccy and ember a bit.

And a convenient way to extinguish a pipe if the vacuum is held for a few seconds.

 

[crashthegrey]

Also creating a vacuum by covering the chamber and hence compressing the baccy and ember a bit.

How hard do you puff on a pipe that you compress tobacco that way?

 

[dcicero]

Sorry, looking for advice on something else. Was hoping the two finger tamper would save my marriage.

 

[ray47]

I always tamp and relight. If relighting doesn't work, I remove some of the top ash and then relight.

 

[crusader]

How hard do you puff on a pipe that you compress tobacco that way?

It doesn't have to be much. Its not a "gospel statement", just a logical physics thought.