It really does take some practice, and not Gawith. Rock some OGS sometime and see what you get. It can be a pain but once you get it down, it is a long smoke that no wind or rain will mess with.
Folding And Stuffing Flakes
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@crashthegrey: Yep that about summarizes the issue. Gawith flakes are just not recommended for use in the learning curve of 'Stuff and Fold' for the pipe due to the high moisture content.
When I was first smoking the pipe back in 2009 (I stopped for a long time) I had no luck with the fold and stuff method. Of course I was not a member of forums like this to get good advice. Even still, I rub out and dry. Its just easer to me. Also, while its not on purpose, most the blends I currently enjoy are ready rubbed so its not an issue. I do remember (when I could get it) that most the popular UK flakes were wet and very thick. I imagine I would have enjoyed them more if I knew to rub them out.
I rubbed some Seattle pipe club gentlemen vanilla out this morning and assumed it was dry enough, I was wrong. Numerous relights throughout the bowl. It wasnt terrible but sure wasn't enjoyable. I've tried taking coins and flakes rolling them up and smoking them and have had issues every time. From my experience, you've got to let them dry out.
Gawith flakes don’t lend themselves to easy fold and stuff. If the flakes have dried down enough I’ll do it, but with Gawith I often end up rubbing them out to some degree.
I combine the fold and stuff technique with the air pocket technique. Works pretty well. Anyone else?
Fold & stuff sounds like a simple & easy way to smoke your 
. I often find this not to be the case especially if you desire smoking it sooner than later. I typically rub out my flakes and let them dry out for at least 15-30 minutes sometimes longer depending on the blend…Gawith flakes usually a bit longer. If I was you…I’d stick with what works and continue to rub it out. At least with that you’ll likely be satisfied. 
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. I often find this not to be the case especially if you desire smoking it sooner than later. I typically rub out my flakes and let them dry out for at least 15-30 minutes sometimes longer depending on the blend…Gawith flakes usually a bit longer. If I was you…I’d stick with what works and continue to rub it out. At least with that you’ll likely be satisfied. ️
I rub the flake out and let dry for about 15-30 minutes. Salty Dogs takes about an hour for my tastes. Tried fold and stuff with mixed results.
I've got some flake that is almost fire proof and have experimented with packing. First I break it up very fine and fill the pipe 2/3 full. Then I top it off with another blend of similar flavor and finer cut that burns better. The top helps the bottom get going and it makes it burn better. At this point I'm just trying to use up the flake and am not worrying about being a purist. 
Try the medallions aka coin cut for an easy fold and stuff, it would be a shame to rub them out.
And I Poo-Poo your disagreement!
Whilst as you rightly say, flakes can give you a different or better experience, even after rubbing out. For me the smoke is bettered still, by folding & stuffing. A 10/10 flake should give a 10/10 smoke, even after being thoroughly rubbed out. Folding & stuffing gives you a little bit more & ramps it up to 11/10.
You need to try some more.
If you’ve got ‘gaps & pockets’ then you obviously haven’t got enough tobacco in the chamber. Either that or you’re ‘stuffing’ with a limp wrist & in a gingerly fashion!
Get a small to medium sized billiard & just practice loading with a single flake to start with. Take it back out with your pipe knife/tool & get another flake & start again. A few flakes & you should have cracked it!
Good advice and thanks.
I will practice it more and will pack with a "fervor."
How has no one commented on your hat?????? I love it, were you wearing it during the aborted smoke, or did you put it on afterwards to sum it up and for photo purposes???
Love it!!!!
Love it!!!!
That’s my ‘Ozzy Man Reviews’ hat. Check him out on YouTube. He’s very funny and forget anything about being woke
Thanks for all the advice guys, I really appreciate it. I definitely think you’re right about the GH tobaccos. Today I tried the fold and stuff with Peterson Irish Flake. The flakes are cut to the perfect size so no guesswork here. One flake was enough for my Emerald 221 and bingo! It fitted perfectly. The flakes are a bit fragile I found so there might be a bit of guesswork in the future as to the amount to use as they break apart, but the length is perfect. Once I got it lit I had no problems keeping it alight. It relit easily every time I set the pipe aside because of the vitamin-n warnings from the baccy. It smoked easily right to the bottom of the bowl with just a tiny bit of dottle remaining. So, in conclusion, I’ll rub out the heavier flakes in the future I think but with things like the Irish Flake I’m definitely going to fold and stuff. 
Good show!
Stick with it & you’ll find it’ll get better when you find what flakes work best for you & in which pipes.
After this thread I remembered one of Pearce’s old videos. Might be of interest to you & others who are getting to grips with flake.