Small observation on the Frank Packing Method
schnorrer
for those that may be interested, I wanted to post a tip that I have
found
(a description and videos of this method are at
http://pipelore.net/beginners_corner/the_frank_packing_method.html)
Don't be afraid to massage down the "plug" quite hard wth your
thumbs. As long as you don't push down with your thumb tip or nail,
you can pack a very tight plug at the top of the bowl and it still
works well- perhaps better. The tobacco expands less upon lighting,
the draw is still ok, and with a tight plug you can carry your pipe
around in your shirt pocket without fear of spillage of tobacco. I
also think the tight plug looks kind of neat- sort of like when you
first open a round tin of ready rubbed and the tobacco is in that
tight disc.
You can leave your pouch at home, and just take your pipe and lighter
with you when out and about. Since you don't tamp much with this
method, the little tamper on the bottom of the Old Boy is more than
adequate. It is fun and convenient to just carry a pipe and ligher
sometimes, ready to smoke whenever you are in the mood or after
dinner.
Anyway, my two bits.
Paul
San Francisco, USA
Xeneize
> I have been practicing the Frank Method over the past two weeks, and
> for those that may be interested, I wanted to post a tip that I have
> found
>
>
> Don't be afraid to massage down the "plug" quite hard wth your
> thumbs. As long as you don't push down with your thumb tip or nail,
> you can pack a very tight plug at the top of the bowl and it still
> works well- perhaps better. The tobacco expands less upon lighting,
> the draw is still ok, and with a tight plug you can carry your pipe
> around in your shirt pocket without fear of spillage of tobacco. I
> also think the tight plug looks kind of neat- sort of like when you
> first open a round tin of ready rubbed and the tobacco is in that
> tight disc.
>
> You can leave your pouch at home, and just take your pipe and lighter
> with you when out and about. Since you don't tamp much with this
> method, the little tamper on the bottom of the Old Boy is more than
> adequate. It is fun and convenient to just carry a pipe and ligher
> sometimes, ready to smoke whenever you are in the mood or after
> dinner.
>
> Anyway, my two bits.
>
> Paul
> San Francisco, USA
Hi, Paul.
I totally agree. I actually do it that way when I use Frank's method,
except when the baccy is a bit in the moist side. In that case, it can
be a pain to light the pipe and keep it lit for a good while.
Regards.
X.
Bill Otten
"schnorrer" <Doc_T...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1186188424.6...@q3g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
I've been experimenting with this method on and off and 9 times out of 10 it
seems to be working quite well. Like my initial attempts at packing a pipe,
it takes some getting used to, but each time it seems to improve....flake
type of tobacco's being the exception.
bill otten
Steven Fowler
> I have been practicing the Frank Method over the past two weeks, and
> for those that may be interested, I wanted to post a tip that I have
> found
>
>
> Don't be afraid to massage down the "plug" quite hard wth your
> thumbs. As long as you don't push down with your thumb tip or nail,
> you can pack a very tight plug at the top of the bowl and it still
> works well- perhaps better. The tobacco expands less upon lighting,
> the draw is still ok, and with a tight plug you can carry your pipe
> around in your shirt pocket without fear of spillage of tobacco. I
> also think the tight plug looks kind of neat- sort of like when you
> first open a round tin of ready rubbed and the tobacco is in that
> tight disc.
>
> You can leave your pouch at home, and just take your pipe and lighter
> with you when out and about. Since you don't tamp much with this
> method, the little tamper on the bottom of the Old Boy is more than
> adequate. It is fun and convenient to just carry a pipe and ligher
> sometimes, ready to smoke whenever you are in the mood or after
> dinner.
>
> Anyway, my two bits.
>
> Paul
> San Francisco, USA
Paul,
Thanks for the post. The last time I tried it, I packed it tight, too
tight, three times in a row before getting it "sort of" right. I say
it was too tight because it wouldn't draw properly. I didn't use the
tips of my thumbs, but it still was too tight. I guess I used too
much tobacco. In summary, I'm still having trouble with this pack.
Any suggestions? Thanks! How do you know when to stop pushing
tobacco in the bowl?
schnorrer
packing to be sure it is not too tight. But in general, I have found-
1) Each pipe takes a different amount of tobacco based on bowl size.
When I started, I used only one pipe for this method to increase my
consistency. Now, I have enough experience with three pipes to judge
how much tobacco to place on top of the bowl during the second step of
the Frank Method. I still get it wrong sometimes though, but I am
getting better.
2) The amount of tobacco to use also depends on the cut of the
tobacco too- but I tend to use virginias that have a similar near-
ribbon cut so this part is predictable.
3) An under-rated part of the method I believe, is the initial
gravity fill of the bowl. I find it very tempting to put a bit more
tobacco in the bowl initially than is really required by a gravity
fill (an old habit from my fill and tamp days). I have learned to
resist this tendancy. If the bowl is initially filled only by gravity
(or by a scooping into the can), it provides a forgiving base for the
second part of the pack when you massage in "the plug". If by
accident the plug is too tight, it just pushes down on the loose fill
in the bowl and all is well.
Hope this helps, I have really gotten to like this method and if the
group doesn't mind, will post any tips that I seem to find.
Best wishes,
Paul
San Francisco, USA