Frank Method just BMF Revised?

[paperairplane]

Really, even though I do not have an accent, nor any youtube videos -isn't this whole "German / Frank" method really revisionist Baby / Mother / Father?

To summarize the Frank:

1. Loosely pack pipe full
2. Make a cone of tobacco and tamp it in on top of #1

To summarize the BMFL

1. Loosely pack pipe fll
2. Pack a somewhat tighter pinch on top
3. Pack a somewhat tighter pinch onto #2

Another theory:

1. Roll / fold flake into a cigar, cone, wad and jam into pipe

Another theory:

1. Loosely pack pipe
2. Roll tabak ball and jam into pipe

These are all variations on the same theme- here's the Joe Method (JM):

1. Put a little, fine tobacco in your pipe
2. Roll, twist, cram or pinch some more tobacco in there
3. Maybe, just maybe, roll, twist cram and/ or pinch some more in there
4. Maybe or don't, put some fines on top

Now, all you need to do is decide on which of the 87 lighting methods works best.

[TheRealBonger]

I use something close to the Joe method, but I call it the Eric Method. The main thing is to get the pipe and some tobak and smoke it. +1

[Mad Hatter]

Well in the video he says its the Frank or German method which makes it sound as if he didn't invent it. I've often wondered if "Frank" means him or if being the Frank or German method (French or German method) it is a method named for the area it came from.

[Spongy]

The difference between BMF and Frank is that he only puts a little ball in the bottom of the bowl to start, then makes a big wad that he attempts to slide/jimmy down in the chamber without tamping it down.
When using BMF, you are tamping the entire surface of the tobacco down as you go, which Frank is not doing (i think he only tamps when doing the charring lights).

My experience with the Frank is that is burns the entire surface much better (and hotter) than BMF. Why? since he doesn't tamp the tobacco into the bowl, and his wad of tobacco is fairly compact, it is harder for air to be drawn down in the middle. Frank method seems to force air to the outter wall of the chamber (since you gently slide the tobacco by working it into the bowl by compressing it inward - not downward - together as you go) since it can't pass through the tightly compacted tobacco.

[Rolando]

I finally watched the "frank" method to see what everyone was talking about. He lost me with his hand acrobatics.

I am just a poor boy that never learned any of these fancy schmancy methods.

I would post my method but it is based on something you can't figure out by reading and I don't want to confuse new smokers. Suffice it to say that the rolando method has been perfect for me for a very long time.

[RJpuffs]

I use different methods for different blends/types of baccy.

"Hot" Virginias usually get the Frank method - I find it burns the coolest and stays lit the best, also requires the least tamping/fidgeting which maintains a reliable (cool) burn through the whole bowl.

Flakes I prefer to stuff and fold, with the exception of Sammy G. blends - whose flakes are too rubbery and wet. Those I prefer to rub out (or rip apart) and do the three-layer-fill. GLP Fillmore, broken flake, I rub out coarsely and also do the three-layer, but the lowest layer gets longer pieces rolled together to keep them lined up vertically.

Most others I do the three-layer-fill, just because its the least messy and can be done when on the road.

Whatever works, and tastes good!