Folding And Stuffing Flakes

[steelarts]

I just had a bloody awful smoke of 1792 Flake. Usually I rub it out and let it dry for about 15-30 minutes but yesterday I read something about folding and stuffing for a different flake experience. I didn’t dry the flake and just folded and packed the pipe. I just could not keep it alight. Every other puff was a relight and to put it bluntly, it was miserable! But I’m a bit tight so didn’t want to waste the baccy so I persisted. Question: should I have dried the flake before folding and packing the pipe or should I just go back to my tried and tested rubbing it out?

 

[proteus]

Drier is better. I personally roll it like a tube and insert the tube and trim at the top with a very sharp object.

I don't always fold and stuff but when I do I use Newminster 400 or Sutliff VA slices.

This is my way. Fold stuff methods vary a bit I'm sure...

 

[TheIronMonkey]

It has been my experience with the Gawith flakes that I’ve had (whether Samuel Gawith or Gawith & Hoggarth), that they are excessively moist when fresh and nearly fireproof (especially Full Virginia Flake); I find they become smokable when rubbed out and dried for several hours (if not longer).

 

[Indygrap]

I’ve tried both & prefer to dry & rub out flakes. Especially if it’s a more complex blend. It seems I get more nuanced flavors & it burns more evenly with fewer relights.
Oddly enough, trying both methods with 1792 is what convinced me to rub out flakes. It was night & day.

 

[BingBong]

Fold and stuff might work for OGS or Mac Baren or Peterson flakes, but for anything with a Gawith in the name, nope. I break mine up to 3mm bits, rub out and then load. Even then, SG Navy Flake in particular is almost flameproof at the outset (but smokes fine once lit).

 

[captpat]

SG flakes need a bit of drying regardless of the method used -- rub out or fold and stuff. I'll leave a tin open for several days (and sometimes longer), before smoking. Some folks have had luck with microwaving for ~10 seconds.

 

[burleybreath]

Fold and stuff the pipe, then let it rest. It should be ready to light in about a month or two.

 

[condorlover1]

Gawith products are usual quite moist. I find if you rub them out or do the prepping before you put the stuff in your tobacco pouch all is well since your body heat does the rest. YMMV

 

[sablebrush52]

I’ve done both fold and stuff, and rubbing out the flake. Fold and stuff is best done as a delayed gratification method, z-fold, smoke the following day when the tobacco has had a chance to dry down.
Otherwise, rub out the tobacco and let it dry down, and smoke.

 

[steelarts]

Thanks for the replies and tips guys. It’s very much appreciated.

 

[kcghost]

I prefer to dry out the flakes but sometimes I don't. Sometimes you have to relight it a few times but nothing like what you described. Maybe ten relights are needed when you take it out of the can and try to light it.

 

[AJL67]

For one of the first times there actually seems to be a majority agreement here!
We should probably gold plate this thread hand hang it on the wall for posterity.

 

[steelarts]

I prefer to dry out the flakes but sometimes I don't. Sometimes you have to relight it a few times but nothing like what you described. Maybe ten relights are needed when you take it out of the can and try to light it.

Even though the draw was easy the baccy dried like a brick. I literally had to break it up to get it out. I didn’t think I’d overpacked it but obviously I must’ve done.

 

[simong]

yesterday I read something about folding and stuffing for a different flake experience.

Sounds to me like this was your first time 'folding & stuffing?'

Don’t be too disheartened at your first attempt as you picked one of the trickier flakes to start with, couple that with somebody who doesn't know what they're doing in the first place and you had a bad smoke. Quelle surprise!
Walk before you can run young man!

I would suggest you try the 'fold and stuff' method with an easy-peasy flake like St. Bruno or any other Danish flake, to start off with. They are in fact, idiot proof.

I'm sure there's a plethora of plebs on YouTube pontificating the preferred practice of loading flake into a pipe. If you like pipe tutorials then they will be of service to you. If you don't appreciate the YouTube videos then you can always find the best way for you, by you, through trial and error and by smoking countless bowls for yourself.

I predominantly smoke flake, the 'old fashioned way' ie fold & stuffed. Here's how it's most commonly done :

Depending on size of bowl, take one or two flakes, fold in half, break up both ends whilst holding flake or flakes like you were rolling a fag, stuff into bowl & break off any excess.

Light slowly and with a match, using all of the match. Repeat if & when necessary. If that doesn't work, you either need more practice or you're an idiot.

 

[steelarts]

Yes, you got it right, this was my first attempt. I’ll try it with a different baccy as you suggest. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[simong]

Yes, you got it right, this was my first attempt. I’ll try it with a different baccy as you suggest. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

You're welcome!
For me, pipe smoking is all about flakes. If you have to rub it out and dry it like many on this forum suggest, I really wouldn't bother. You'd be better off buying ready rubbed.

 

[sablebrush52]

For me, pipe smoking is all about flakes. If you have to rub it out and dry it like many on this forum suggest, I really wouldn't bother. You'd be better off buying ready rubbed.

I don't agree. Some flakes develop differently than ribbon or shag while aging and you can experience that difference, which I experience a more of a merging of the components, even if you rub it out and/or dry it.

When I do smoke flakes, which is the preponderance of what I smoke these days, I pretty much do what you describe in terms of folding the flake in half, roughing it up a bit before stuffing into the bowl, ridding the excess, and firing it up. I've already dried down the tin, so it's a fast method.

But it's not the "classic" fold and stuff, In which the flake is "z" or "s" folded and dropped into the chamber otherwise whole and intacto, with a dusting of rubbed out flake on top to act as tinder. Face it, you and I are cheats and couldn't give two farts about proper form, methods, etc. We do what works for us.

 

[bullet08]

We need to think about this. Typical flake out of a tin are not dry enough. So, you can dry it for better result. However, even dried flake are sometimes hard to smoke. The main reason is the lack of air movement between the tobacco strands in flake.

To remedy this, after folding, and before stuffing, work on the folded flake. Twist a little, bend a little. Not enough to make it fall apart in between your fingers, but just enough to create spaces for air circulation. Now, gently place the folded and worked flake in the chamber and push down ever so lightly to pack it in there. Whatever was left on the table or tray you worked the flake can go on the top as tinder.

 

[condorlover1]

@sablebrush52 @simong : And in next weeks riveting episode of 'Sh*t that I stick in my pipe' we will explore the extreme nuances of slicing up plugs and twists. Should it be slithers, should it be coins, should I dry with the wife's hair dryer. In the final analysis as @simong says it's all about what works for you. There is no right or wrong method, it's all a matter of personal taste and preference. I do second the advice to test your technique on St Bruno Flakes, it will save you a lot of misery with a steamed tongue!

 

[Choatecav]

I have really tried to employ the "fold and stuff" method but the gaps and pockets do not make for a pleasant smoke either. Even if dry....
Furthermore, the tamping process is less than efficient with the stuffed flakes, at least I have found it so. Seems some portions are needing to be tamped but the other side is very firm and hard and prevents the tamp.