Like most I got into flake cut tobaccos for the more intense and fuller flavors yielded by this traditional processing method as well just simple curiosity. There is more to this unique style than just enhanced taste. If you're an obsessive pipe smoker like me flakes afford an opportunity to get to know your tobacco a little closer while the anticipation of putting flame to leaf builds.
To me the ritual of pipe smoking is a big part of the enjoyment. Flake tobacco is perfect for the pipester who likes to play with his pipes and accoutrements as opposed to the old "stuff and puff" method. Preparing my flakes for smoking gives me a chance to feel the tobacco with my fingers, Smell the wonderful aroma and visually inspect the leaf.
I notice often on the forum that people are trying flakes for the first time. I was there myself not too long ago and now I am a devotee. I am always experimenting and have perfected a couple of my own methods for dealing with flake and wanted to share a simple prep that I feel always presents a great smoke using flake cut tobacco. I think rubbing out the flakes fully is a good way to go when you first open the tin and expose that slab of rich goodness.
I use an old china plate as a work surface for my flakes. Firstly I use my fingernail or a small pocketknife to seperate a few pieces of the flake so that they resemble little sticks. I shove these down into the bottom of the bowl like throwing 2X4 lumber down a well. These sticks create a small air space at the bottom of the bowl and also prevent the smaller pieces of the broken flake added next from plugging the air hole. Once the course base layer (as seen in the photo) is in place rub out a flake or two between your fingers until the individual strands are visible and layers of tobacco are seperated. At this point the rubbed out flakes will have the appearance of a regular ribbon cut and can be loaded into the bowl as such. This is the fun part I think. The moisture level can be better determined by touch once you have the tobacco loosened up into a fluffy pile. The delicious smells resulting from the curing and aging process while pressed burst forth from the mixture exposed for the first time.
Many smokers prefer to dry their flakes a bit before smoking. I've got so many tins open at one time that they are all at some stage of dryness so I don't usually worry too much about it. Fully rubbed out flakes burn readily and I have little trouble keeping them lit when prepared this way.
Enjoy the bowl as you would any other dumping the fine ash off the top as needed and a gentle tamp or two to knock the unburnt leaf around the outside to the middle. While this method doesn't provide the super slow smoke with the intermingling of subtle flavor profiles like the fold and stuff method I feel it allows a smoker an easy entry into the amazing world of flake tobacco with a minimum of fuss and worry. The flavor is full and rounded and very enjoyable. What makes flakes fun is how the different preparation methods can bring out different flavor profiles and nuances creating varied smoking experiences all from the same tin.
To borrow a line from Paw Paw here on the forum which I think he borrowed from a certain cartoon tiger:
"Flakes -They're Great!!"
it works really well!
