Who uses "Frank Method" to pack thier pipe??

[blackop555]

ive seen many people use the frank method where you massage it. the one on youtube it looks as he just shoves it down in and then lightly pushes across the bowl. that is the only time i have ever seen that way

[RJpuffs]

Let me reprise the Frankie method, at least the way I do it and it works.

I like to insert a fluffy pipe cleaner into the stem all the way into the bowl to prevent blockages. Some folks do, some don't.

Take pipe in left hand (reverse if thou art a southpaw). Pour baccy onto desktop, more than you will need. Drying it in this poured out manner can't hurt (if its too wet of course). Grab some of the longer/chunkier strands loosely with right hand fingers. Dribble into bowl until almost to the top. It must be loose, i.e. not squished together, else it will plug in latter stages.

Tap sides of bowl with an available finger, gently. The baccy will settle, tap all around until settling stops, do NOT put finger inside bowl. Do NOT dribble any more baccy in.

Hold bowl in left hand firmly with stem pointing away from you. Use right hand thumb+fore+middle fingers, collect a pyramid of baccy in the pile you made afore on desktop, approximately what you think will fill the bowl. Loosely, but just use enough pressure where you can pick up this pyramid - place on top of bowl. Now - the base of this structure must be larger than the bowl opening. Use thumb on LEFT hand (which is holding pipe bowl) and gently place atop the pyramid, keeping right hand fingers in place. The left thumb is just to stabilize the mound, do not push down. Use the right hand three fingers to gently push the BASE inward (NOT DOWN), moving around the bowl to keep pressure even.

After a little action, the mound will retain its shape, keep left thumb in place just to hold it together (don't press down). Use right hand thumb and forefinger only now, start to gently press the base of the mound inward (NOT DOWN), move around the bowl. The mound will start to disappear, entering the abyss of the bowl. When a small amount is left on top - make a decision and pull off excess. Now this is the hard part, you have to guess - and it takes a few attempts to get it right.

What you have left now is a bowl filled with a bit sticking up. Hold pipe bowl with both hands, raise both thumbs above bowl on the rim, opposite sides. Massage the stuff on top TOWARDS THE MIDDLE, NEVER DOWN, using the balls of the thumbs only. Your thumbs should touch, rotate the pipe so you get an even action, go in one direction only (clockwise or anti, don't matter). Keep massaging till a little nipple is left sticking up in the middle of the bowl. Now test draw (pull out the pipe cleaner, if you inserted it before). Spit out mouthful of baccy bits, curse at RJPuffs, and test draw again. The draw will be wide open - this filling method does NOT tighten the draw much at all. Massage a bit more if you need to, depends on baccy type, wetness, etc. If you screwed up, use pointy end of czech tool to empty bowl and start over.

You're done! Use a wooden match or butane lighter for best results. I strongly discourage the use of a torch with a pipe, it can overheat the baccy and scorch the flavor. Some blends do not even need a charring light, as you run the flame around and around, the whole surface will light up and stay lit. DO NOT TAMP! AT ALL! If the blend starts to send tendrils sticking up, use the SIDE of the tamper and brush the debris off (it will be hot, don't set your lap on fire).

In fact you won't need to tamp for the entire bowl, unless it goes out through inattention or over-wetness. When you do tamp, just roll the tamper over the ash using only the weight of the tamper DON'T PRESS DOWN. The head of ash will collapes very easily. The key in Frank'ing is to never push DOWN.

Class dismissed, post your results

[blackop555]

i usually do that except i use both hands to massage it in. nice guide and im sure it will help learners in that method greatly

[commonsenseman]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

Let me reprise the Frankie method, at least the way I do it and it works.

Very good thorough description! You have inspired me to give the frank method another go!

[Mr.Lordi]

Frank Method is tremendous...for Premium tobaccos. Don't try to do it on something like Granger, though. I feel it makes it burn differently, so it has a awkward taste, as opposed to dipping into the pouch and smoking.

Aro's smoke better using it, Englishes smoke great using it...but Drugstore Burleys and it do not mix. lol

[MarkC]

Maybe it's just me, but when I've tried the Frank method on taller-than-normal bowls, it doesn't work well either. Works great on the normal bowls, though.

[RJpuffs]

I find ribbon cut blends get "Franked" better, maybe the texture allows for the massaging to work properly. Some lumpy blends, like SG FVF, are impossible to Frank. Others just taste better (to me at least) the other way, for example GLP Fillmore, I always three-step-stuff that puppy.

Hot burners are prime candidates for being Frankied. Ribbon cut (or rubbed out) VAs or MacBitten stuff.

[cherrymax]

What's the 'Frank Method' of packing a pipe?

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by cherrymax

What's the 'Frank Method' of packing a pipe?

Scroll up to read my how-to posting

[AcworthAl]

I use it for all, but flakes.