Pipe Tools

drac2485

What types of pipe tools do you most commonly use?  Czech tools I would assume are the more common but I know some use tampers only and I know some that use golf tees.  Personally I like the 8deco tampers that you can get at smokingpipes.com because they have a large foot that is aerated so it doesn't put out the ember when tamping and it has a nice dottle scraper/poker that stay hidden in the handle.

thewanderingdude

I have all kind of Czech tools and one really nice tamper, but find myself using golf tees more than anything else.

PipeProfessor

I probably have 10 really nice tampers that have come with handcrafted pipes or that others have made for me. Unfortunately, I always stick with my Czech tool as it gets the job done, and if I lose it who cares. Plus I dont have to worry about dirtying the other pristine tampers I have!

thebadgerpiper

I own two trusty Czech tools, one that stays at my writing table, and one that sits in my pipe case so I'm never without one. I do own one handcrafted tamper from OldOakPipes that I received for my birthday this year. I enjoy using it, though I grab my tool out of habit.

I also have one I've whittled from a tree branch, but it's simple and not very pretty.

judandhispipe

Got simple pipe nails any place I might smoke a pipe, sitting with the ash tray. Have various Czech tools as well - handiest one is in the little box I use for the day's pipes. I keep a pipe knife in my pocket. 

mkanne

I have an old kershaw pipe knife that I love and a Rodgers Sheffield pipe knife. But normally I just grab a Czech tool or golf tee since I'll be outside working.

PappyJoe

A Czech tool primarily but I did have a 3 inch long tamp made from deer antler.

daveinlax

I love tampers and have been collecting them for about as long as I've been collecting pipes. I have dozens of them at hand and more in a box in the davecave but I end up using my finger most of the time.

Subtilis87

Czech tool, all the way. Utilitarian, cheap, and effective. I like the idea of a fancy tamp, but I doubt I would use it.

dstrib

Have swapped to golf tees lately as I seem to end up losing my Czech tools. I do have one lighter which has built in tools yet find it easier to use a tee as a tamp as the I find the lighter top heavy when tamping.

drac2485

@distrib I have a few lighters with tools built in, I loved the idea but I just always through a tamper in my pocket.  The lighter makes the tools kind of cumbersome to use.

drac2485

I just got a pipe knife in that I won on eBay for 7.50 with shipping. I haven't tried it out yet as it is currently about to set the towel I set it on on fire since its been sitting in the hot mailbox all day

drac2485

Oops hit the post button to soon. I didn't realize the blade was going to be sharp, I figured it was more of a dull scraper. I think I just found the replacement to my normal pocket knife. I foresee it getting used quite a bit in the future

thewanderingdude

@drac2485 What did you get?

drac2485

@thewanderingdude Richards Sheffield England Pipe Knife https://www.ebay.com/itm/191929140911

thewanderingdude

@drac2485 very nice grab sir!

drac2485

@thewanderingdude Thanks. It had been discussed on the forums so I decided to ch do eBay and figured $5 plus shipping might as well. I didn't actually think I'd win it as there were a few others going for about $25 nit nearly as good of shape as that one. Minus how hot it was when I opened it from the mail it felt really not really nice and will probably become a staple to being used

PipeProfessor

I have thousands of spent 9mm and 45 cal shells, I think I need to try to make some of my own tampers. It will be a week or so before I begin, but if anyone wants to test them out just let me know!

Darmon

@PipeProfessor I've had the same thought, I've got plenty of deer antler as well. I'm going to try and use the spent shells and sand the antler to a snug fit inside the casing.

drac2485

@pipeprofessor I'd love to try them out. I've thought about doing that as well but I have a "thinking about project list" a mile long and not enough time to do them

thewanderingdude

@pipeprofessor I have buckets of spent .223 and .308 if you could use any. Lake city brass, nothing but the best for tampers lol

tomatobodhi

I have pipe nails everywhere, mostly because I lose tampers easily. Golf tees work pretty well in a pinch. A local guy carves tampers out of olive wood and they are really attractive. I have one of those, but mine has been through the washing machine at least three times. That tells you something about why I can't have nice things.

piperdave

@drac2485 that is a nice looking pipe knife, I like that the tip of the blade is rounded. I personally prefer the Brigham style pipe tamper, for one it screws into the bottom portion and doesn't get ashes all over my pocket and contents. I also like it because the tamper bottom itself is concave and not flat which I prefer. I always use a golf tee around the house because it is concave as well. I was looking at some pipe knives but wasn't sure if they would be really dull or sharp... sounds like that one is sharp.

Darmon

I have a Czech tool that I use, and a few that I've made myself, one is simply a deer antler sanded and flattened to work as a tamp.  The other is made from a stainless steel bolt and nut flattened on a grinder and sharpened a bit, claro walnut on the outside. I don't mean to sound arrogant or anything but I think it turned out rather nicely.  I'd post pictures but I seem to be having issues with posting them.

ghostsofpompeii

After doing a little target practice with a CO2 pellet pistol I discovered another use for the spent cartridge ... a pipe packing tool. It fit perfectly in most of my pipe bowls.  

motie2

@ghostsofpompeii -- As usual: genius!!!!

Woodsman

Out and about, Pipe Nail, at home my familiar tamper and home made pipe knife.

Montecristo

Nice selection, all in one place. Some books included.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jandrdiscover/list/NETZKVUD2N10

Montecristo