I have in the past used a tamper to pack the tobacco, much to my chagrin.If you over pack, to tight of a draw,then the other little tool comes in handy.
The spike or pick, use it to loosen up your tobacco and repack so you have a slight resistance, not as much as a cigar but more than sucking air.If you
have pack your pipe so tight as to be plugged, unpack completely on a plate and blow through your pipe to clear the draw opening on the bottom. Then
repack loosely at first and a bit firmer as you fill the bowl.There are a few different methods of packing that can be found on you-tube.Try all of them,
and try the with different tobacco cuts, you will find one that works for you.