The Frank Method

[Blaylock]

Discussion in another thread about using the "Frank Method" to fill a bowl, so I thought I'd post a thread with the link...just in case anyone was wondering what is was and/or where to find it.


Frank Method Part 1

Frank Method Part 2

Frank Method Part 3

[tzilt]

Originally Posted by Blaylock

Discussion in another thread about using the "Frank Method" to fill a bowl, so I thought I'd post a thread with the link...just in case anyone was wondering what is was and/or where to find it.

The Frank Method changed my life!

(well, thats a bit extreme but it really is worth learning)

[BigFrankMD]

once again blaylock to the rescue.

you must spread some reputation around before giving it to BlayLock again.

[uncballzer]

Thanks for that! You read my mind; been meaning to look those up again, as I rarely use this method, but have been wanting to try it again this past week for some reason...

Edit--I also got the "you must spread some rep around before giving it to blaylock again."

[RJpuffs]

I'm relatively new on the pipe and never tried the Frank method before. I was just happy to get this thing to light up and stay lit

I read about it a while ago and found the bookmark last night, before I saw this thread. This morning had a few spare minutes and proceeded to "massage" the baccy in, and later enjoy a nice long cool smoke ala Frank style.

It does work, and the science behind it is logical. Normally we jam tobacco into the bowl and that results in uneven pressure, ergo uneven burn. Allowing the shreds of tobacco to "fit" evenly by the massaging action - it does make sense that each bit will fall into place with equal spacing, equal aeration, and equal pressure. Lighting was easier than the traditional packing method (without a torch, just a zippo) which surprised me. Then again the choice of tobacco probably helped (GLP Monty).

Personally, I found the flavor to be equal to the normal packing method. It did burn better and only needed 3 tamps and 3 relights (1/3 bowl each time) - and its really funny how the tamper just dropped through the burnt ash. The pipe did stay cool, but again Monty always burns cool. The burn time was 90 minutes, but I usually get 90 minutes a bowl on this pipe, so it was normal for me.

It did appear that more tobacco went into the bowl, but its hard to judge since its such a messy process to load. Thats one bad thing, you need time and work space to load up Frank style - you can't do it in the car or when mobile. There is also a risk of rim charring since you end up with baccy to the brim. I prefer to leave it an eighth of an inch below the rim to avoid damage.

On the plus side its better when driving or otherwise busy, as you do not need to fuss with the tamper/relights as much. Once lit it just keeps going and going and going like that pink bunny.

I may try it with another baccy, especially a finicky blend to see if it works out better with it. But usually I really don't have the time to either load this way, or handle a 90 minute smoke (need half or three quarter bowls).

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

It did appear that more tobacco went into the bowl, but its hard to judge since its such a messy process to load. Thats one bad thing, you need time and work space to load up Frank style - you can't do it in the car or when mobile. There is also a risk of rim charring since you end up with baccy to the brim. I prefer to leave it an eighth of an inch below the rim to avoid damage.

I may try it with another baccy, especially a finicky blend to see if it works out better with it. But usually I really don't have the time to either load this way, or handle a 90 minute smoke (need half or three quarter bowls).

Ya know, I tend to use a modified Frank method exactly for some of the reasons you state.

Instead of going thru the whole thing, I modify as follows...

Pick a wad with thumb and 3 fingers sized so that it's about the height of the bowl and a bit larger than the inside diameter. It's fine if tobacco is hanging from this wad, it does not need to be clean. START to jam this wad in the bowl and then twist as you push. With very little practice you will end up with the wad sliding in tightly but not getting jammed. It sort of elongates as you go. Now what's left above the rim can be quickly pushed down using thumb and forefinger pinched together. This pretty much pushes around the edges. You end up with a bowl that is full but not JAM PACKED full. And usually there will be a good 1/4 between the tobacco and the bottom of the bowl. So now your tobac is below the rim, the majority of it (especially the top) is packed nicely, there is air chamber below and it's not really a full bowl...therefore a bit shorter smoke. About 3/4 way thru this smoke one of your tamps will collapse that last 1/4 bowl into the bottom of the pipe. Nice clean, dry smoke.

worth a try

[jkorp]

Originally Posted by tzilt

The Frank Method changed my life!

(well, thats a bit extreme but it really is worth learning)

Yes, Frank method makes life golden.

[denverdog]

I agree that this method can be tough to do when on the go but anytime I am sitting down for a relaxing bowl I use this method. Thanks for posting the video links!

[jkorp]

Originally Posted by denverdog

I agree that this method can be tough to do when on the go ....... !

Packing pipe while driving with knee, hmm.....

[denverdog]

Originally Posted by jkorp

Packing pipe while driving with knee, hmm.....

Only at stop lights of course...

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by EvanS

Ya know, I tend to use a modified Frank method exactly for some of the reasons you state.

Instead of going thru the whole thing, I modify as follows...

Pick a wad with thumb and 3 fingers sized so that it's about the height of the bowl and a bit larger than the inside diameter. It's fine if tobacco is hanging from this wad, it does not need to be clean. START to jam this wad in the bowl and then twist as you push. With very little practice you will end up with the wad sliding in tightly but not getting jammed. It sort of elongates as you go. Now what's left above the rim can be quickly pushed down using thumb and forefinger pinched together. This pretty much pushes around the edges. You end up with a bowl that is full but not JAM PACKED full. And usually there will be a good 1/4 between the tobacco and the bottom of the bowl. So now your tobac is below the rim, the majority of it (especially the top) is packed nicely, there is air chamber below and it's not really a full bowl...therefore a bit shorter smoke. About 3/4 way thru this smoke one of your tamps will collapse that last 1/4 bowl into the bottom of the pipe. Nice clean, dry smoke.

worth a try

Ah, the air-in-the-bottom ploy. I'm really a klutz and bang into things a lot (pipe and myself) - I may jostle the floating plug and collapse it halfway. But worth a try when I'm sitting still (that don't happen often)

[Mad Hatter]

I modify the Frank method too. I gravity fill the bowl and slap the side to get it settled down a bit, add a little more with a light tamp, sprinkle on the top and then light it the way Frank does. Sometimes I use the stuff part of the method only. You just have to adjust your technique to the length and cut of the tabak.

[Arizona]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

I modify the Frank method too. I gravity fill the bowl and slap the side to get it settled down a bit, add a little more with a light tamp, sprinkle on the top and then light it the way Frank does. Sometimes I use the stuff part of the method only. You just have to adjust your technique to the length and cut of the tabak.

This is just about exactly what I do and it gives me a nice smoke every time. I gravity feed the bowl til it's overflowing by about maybe half an inch (tobacco is loose and gravity fed only at this point). I then sort of pinch the overflowing part and softly push it down into the bowl til level... Light it and puff for maybe 30 seconds, then tamp and light.

This gives a nice draw, smokes smoothly and is easy to do.

[RJpuffs]

I may have to change my earlier opinion on le' Frank method. I had another Frank'ed smoke this morning - McClelland VA Woods in a new Bjarne (not much cake). This combo has burned pretty hot all the time I've been trying to break it in (normal load). However, this morning it was a cool smoke - lack of cake and all, after Frank loading. And I realized one more thing - I'm up at 5am every day, and given the time consuming Frank loading process, I had loaded the pipe and put it into my car at that time - but didn't smoke it till 8am. So for an over dried "hot" smoker, that is pretty amazing that it smoked cool! The flavor was comparable to normal load, but again, as it was over dried it may have diluted the flavor as well.

I'm going to do a fresh load and smoke the Frank way now. That should be interesting.

[RevZeek]

I'm also using a modified Frank Method. This is a great way to pack a pipe! Thanks for the links!