Prepping Blackwoods

I believe you've answered your own question. Too wet means some drying in necessary. Then rub it, stuff it and smoke it. You really didn't take the time to arrange the tobacco like a wee squad of troopers, all vertical in the bowl did you? Never thought of that, I'm impressed but, it obviously didn't work out well.
Seriously, rub out to a texture that seems right, load it and enjoy.

I misread this as prepping "Backwoods", as in the cigars. Chop them up with scissors, and they're great in a pipe.

I've left Blackwoods out to dry for 24 hours and it was by no means too dry to smoke.

You never know until you try. Like I say, I was impressed with both the novelty and the determination.
The pipe is a learn as you go experience. Fear no failures! Just keep on keeping on and you'll develop a technique that works for you. Lot's of advice here, much of it conflicting. So, go forth and puff, sip or whatever you settle into. Revel in the learning experience.

McClellend Va's really benefit from popping the tin, putting the lid on and letting it sit for a few weeks, the introduction of air does something to it that really brings out the tangy flavor, the first time I tried blackwoods I was thoroughly unimpressed, then after a couple weeks sitting in the tin it really transformed. I would suggest taking the lid off the jar and putting it back on once a day until it reaches the optimal moisture level, in the meantime I find cube cutting and then letting it dry for about half and hour before you load a bowl should be fine. I'm also of the opinion if it's too dry I don't enjoy it as much, there's an optimal moisture content for me, when it's there then I"m in full enjoyment. For me it's where the flake you can slightly bend it but it will break if you bend it too much. It's basically learned by experience.

lined up the pieces so that they were vertical in the bowl and topped it with a small amount that was rubbed out.

Click to expand...

I've never tried this, I don't even fold and stuff, I always cube cut or rub out. I"ve folded and stuffed a few times but I always come back to cube cutting or rubbing out.

Agree with Andy.
Seem to burn well when rubbed out fully and left to dry.

I agree with Andy about popping the tin and then putting the lid back on and letting it sit a while. I recently bought a 3.5 oz tin to try it out and, after opening, left it in the tin for a week before moving it over into a jar.
During that first week, whenever I wanted some I always rubbed it out and let it dry a while. After moving it to the jar I haven't found a bad way to smoke it as of yet. I've rubbed it out, wadded it up and shoved it in, cubed it ... you name it. It always seems delicious. I've found more variation in the taste of Blackwoods between pipes than between different prep methods. However, the wad and stuff seems to provide the slowest burning, longest smoke and maybe makes the flavors a TAD less pronounced.
BTW, "wad and stuff" is the closest explanation I can come up with for what I do. It's as close to "fold and stuff" as I can get with a broken flake. I take a few pieces and kind of flex and wiggle them to loosen the fibers a bit and then stuff them in. If there's room left in the bowl, I either repeat with a few more pieces or top it off with a little bit thats rubbed out.
Good luck experimenting with your Blackwoods. It's rapidly becoming one of my favorite blends. I plan on getting some more for the cellar, as I'm sure it only gets better with age.

I always rub my flakes when I am not feeling experimental. It helps a lot in drying of the tobacco before loading your bowl. 10-15 minutes should be enough.
Chris :puffpipe: