nogbert":vw5n1z0c said:
I have watched numerous "how to pack a pipe" videos, and it is always very difficult to judge how hard they are pressing the tobacco into the bowl so I've just been doing the least packing possible. I've seen many where they are using much more force so I figured I would try. Nothing that constricts the airflow more than slightly, but still tighter than I have been for ages. I'll have to experiment more and see how I adapt
One thing that helps IMENSLY is to smoke ONE blend for a period of time and you can learn how to pack and light becomes more "known" as you go. Smoking different types of blends from one bowl to the next does not really help you "learn". Pick a blend, pick some pipes to smoke it in and take the time to "learn" what this can teach you about packing. If you pack and smoke a Flake in one bowl, then go to a ribbon cut blend in the next it will be harder to learn :twisted: :twisted:
I totaly agree with Michael's advice. In addition, you will learn that the moisture content has some bearing on packing a bowl too tight. The drier the tobacco, the easier it will be to let air pass into and around the cut, and prevent plugging the draft hole completely. This is one reason I really favor flake tobaccos and ready rubbed blends.