Newby VA Flake smoker... questions

FVF, like all Sam Gawith flakes leave the factory wet. Gawith claims to only use water to keep tobacco moist whereas most producers in other countries use chemicals that do not require extensive drying. In order for it burn with minimal fuss you will need to dry the tobacco prior to smoking. If you're just starting off with FVF the easiest thing to do is to dry the flakes until you feel the threads break when you bend them. With some experience you'll be able to smoke it successfully less dry. Experiment and see what works for you.
The absolute easiest way I've found to smoke FVF and SG flakes in general is to lay out all the flakes on a layer of paper towels and leave them exposed to air until they feel firm and keep their shape if you pick them up in the middle (they will be rigid and won't flex easily). This takes at least a few hours and depends on your local humidity. More humidity means more dry time.
Once the flakes are dry, I'll take a pair of scissors and cut the flakes in to cubes about the size of a matchstick head. It takes a few minutes. Throw them all in a jar and you are ready to go. The tobacco should be dry enough to simply load your pipe and go to town.
I prefer to smoke FVF in flake form and do so probably 90%. But as a beginner there are better ways to spend your time.
Good luck, have fun and go slow. :puffpipe:

Happy to help and I hope it works for you.

Yep ... good advice there!
The only thing I'll add is how to pack those dried cubes.
Use a gravity pack by tapping the side of the bowl to settle the cubes and then top them with some finely rubbed out

flake which acts as "kindling".
All things considered ... the dry time is of most importance.
FVF is a favorite of mine and is great with some age on it ... enjoy! ::

Yeah, you'll have a lot better luck drying it outside the bowl. Keep in mind that it sometimes takes flakes a little longer to get lit. You'll find it helps to gather up any crumbs from folding the dry flake and sprinkle it on top to give the flame some "tinder" to grab.

Nice post! Really very helpful. Thanks for sharing.

Awesome ... I love it when a smoke comes together! ::

In my opinion, a folded flake delivers the best qualities of flaked tobacco. You can certainly rub or cube it if that floats y'er boat, but in the right pipe and with the right moisture content and technique, the more or slightly less intact flake is superior. I've experimented with most of the recommended or suggested methods and they will all work to help get the leaf to burn.

If you want ribbon cut tobacco, it's available.

I agree, newbroom. The more intact a flake remains, the better it tastes. Ribbon cut tobacco may well be available, but there's some pretty high quality stuff that is available in flakes or coins only. I can see where someone would want the convenience of a rubbed out smoke, but the quality of some of the flakes-only stuff.

Or you can always do with a10 sec nuc and let the flakes breathe for five minutes and then load you pipe. It works for me and i don't find any taste differences

I remember when I first tried to smoke FVF. I thought that it was downright nasty. Then a member here recommended that I let it dry for a full 5 hours! Smoked great with a wonderful rich Virginia flavor. It's now a favorite. Cubing it at the start cuts down the drying time. I've smoked it rolled and stuffed and cubed and I enjoy it either way.

The key to getting a good smoke is proper moisture, proper packing, the right cadence and the right chamber shape. With Virginia blends, narrower conical chambers and slow sipping does it best for me. No two tobaccos are exactly the same, so be patient when trying out a new blend.

I think he means 10 sec nuke in the microwave.