Thanks guys! lots of GREAT info there, much appreciated.
Aww Dan, how did you know I got the idea from that Frank method youtube video
Although I do have to say I've gotten great consistency from loading the pipe that way. It may not be the "best" way to load it, but it does get me something consistent and smoke-able.
But I will officially banish the idea of a torch
I'm sure that Old Boy works quite nice, somewhat akin to the soft flame equivalent of my dupont torch. I'll make that a "one day" goal to work too