There is no cut and dried method for packing and smoking flake. Too many variables. There are different sizes of flakes in 3 dimensions, length, width and thickness. These variable sized flakes go into a variety of bowl sizes. Moisture content varies as does humidity. One size doesn't fit all.
So what is the answer if you prefer to smoke flake whole, as I do? Practice. Develop touch through experience. For the most part, I agree with Chasing Embers. Error on the side of too loose vs too tight. You can adjust by tamping as you smoke. Let it dry to where it begins to break when you fold it. If you let it dry too much, why bother with flake? It will crumble up, you may as well rub it out.
I fold my flake in half, length wise first, then width wise. I hold each end and twist 30 to 45 degrees while pushing each end inward slightly. Then I gently twist it in the bowl. Ideally, I push it in until a very small space is left at the bottom. If there's room for more, and there often is, I break off a piece from another flake, break it up a little and load on top of the other flake. Or, gather loose pieces in the tin and fill the bowl.
If you practice this, it won't take that long until you get the hang of it. If you pack too loose, tamp it down a bit after lighting and you get a bit of ash. If by chance you pack too tight, use the thin tool from your pipe tool and run it down the inside of the bowl right at the draft hole. Do some twisting to loosen the tobacco up. Relight, tamp again. It won't be long before the majority of your bowls will smoke rather effortlessly.
As CE stated, when right, the draw isn't much different than an empty pipe. Pack much tighter than this and you'll end up with a hot, wet and bitter mess. Show some patience and tenacity, you will be rewarded with the most satisfying way to smoke flake tobacco.
So what is the answer if you prefer to smoke flake whole, as I do? Practice. Develop touch through experience. For the most part, I agree with Chasing Embers. Error on the side of too loose vs too tight. You can adjust by tamping as you smoke. Let it dry to where it begins to break when you fold it. If you let it dry too much, why bother with flake? It will crumble up, you may as well rub it out.
I fold my flake in half, length wise first, then width wise. I hold each end and twist 30 to 45 degrees while pushing each end inward slightly. Then I gently twist it in the bowl. Ideally, I push it in until a very small space is left at the bottom. If there's room for more, and there often is, I break off a piece from another flake, break it up a little and load on top of the other flake. Or, gather loose pieces in the tin and fill the bowl.
If you practice this, it won't take that long until you get the hang of it. If you pack too loose, tamp it down a bit after lighting and you get a bit of ash. If by chance you pack too tight, use the thin tool from your pipe tool and run it down the inside of the bowl right at the draft hole. Do some twisting to loosen the tobacco up. Relight, tamp again. It won't be long before the majority of your bowls will smoke rather effortlessly.
As CE stated, when right, the draw isn't much different than an empty pipe. Pack much tighter than this and you'll end up with a hot, wet and bitter mess. Show some patience and tenacity, you will be rewarded with the most satisfying way to smoke flake tobacco.
