| Author | Message | ||
     Thomas Tkach Member Username: Thomas_tkach Post Number: 9 Registered: 07-2009 |
I can't seem to keep the edges of my bowl lit. I'm generally using the Franck method as best I can. I use a butane soft-flame pipe lighter.I perform at least one charring light (depending on wind, maybe 3 or 4), but the edges never stay lit. As I try to make sure the edges are all charred, the middle seems like it just starts burning without my consent. I've tried softer draws, more draws and less draws during the light, but its still a bit of a problem with most tobaccos--Virginia, Burley, English, Aromatic, everything. Am I packing it too tightly to get air flow there? Thanks in advance for any helpful information! | ||
| seth clark Member Username: Warmseth Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2009 |
Use your tamper to make the center of the bowl crown by tamping down the edges slightly more than the center. Then when lit, the center will glow and radiate down to the edges more evenly. Least that's what works for me. Are you packing your pipe properly? | ||
| Todd L. Platek Member Username: Lawyersmoker Post Number: 57 Registered: 04-2008 |
I am anti-Franck method, and anti-butane lighter. Never had a problem in 40 years with sticking the pipe into the pouch, filling up first scoop with airy packing, then second and third scoops packing down more tightly, testing the draw each time. Then a paper or wooden match in the center, working it around the sides. Usually need two matches - I'm a wimp. Tamp it down with my fingers in between matchings. Au naturel. The way it was meant to be. | ||
| P. L. Fiveash Member Username: Olgolftrader Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2009 |
I agree with Mr Platek. I just bought a collection of fairly high grade pipes. Every one of them was rim scorched in the same spot. The previous smoker certainly must have used a butane lighter. Foolish......is that the word....lol. Todd, I guess I'm a wimp too. | ||
| Paul Tummers Member Username: Paul_tummers Post Number: 177 Registered: 12-2007 |
Then I do not understand, why so many people are so very fond of the ITT Corona Old Boy pipe lighters, they are butane lighters. If you use one of those new Zippo butane lighters, I think, you are looking for troubles, because those are miniature welding torches. I recently "Discovered"the Nimrod Commander lighters, and since that moment I do not use anything else anymore; No hinges which become sloppy, and they hold their fuel much longer than my Zippo pipe lighter because of the in my humble opinion better way the fuel chamber is sealed. | ||
| Thomas Tkach Member Username: Thomas_tkach Post Number: 10 Registered: 07-2009 |
Seth, thanks for the tip. I hope I am packing it correctly--and I know I'm packing it better than I once did. As for crowning like that, I'm not sure how it will work with the Franck method, but I'll give it a shot. For you lighter people, I'm using a butane, SOFT FLAME lighter. It's not a torch, but gives a clean-burning (butane) match-like (soft) flame. Are you guys against even these? As the flames are so similar I don't see how there would be a difference in how well it lights compared to matches, but I could be wrong. It also is right-angled so you don't have to turn it upside down like a bic. I'll post again when I try Seth's tip out, which may be a while since I'm sick. |