How do you smoke a Navy flake tobbaco

[steamtrain]

Having some trouble here keeping this lit and having a draw here...what do I do?

 

[puffpuff]

There's a great article here on just that topic:
http://pipesmagazine.com/python/pipe-smoking/flake-pipe-tobacco-preparation/
When I first started, I couldn't get mixtures packed properly. The only thing that seemed to work for me was the 'fold and stuff' of a nice flake.
Just make sure you leave a bit of room between the 'grains' of the flake after you've folded and stuffed. Those flakes will expand as you smoke and they'll need the room!

 

[fred]

I just stuff Flakes and Coins into my Pipe and fire up... An important

aspect, whether you fold, stuff or rub out Flakes and Coins is that the

tobacco be on the dry side.

 

[unclearthur]

The PS Navy Flake is FAR better if nearly crispy dry regardless of the method you use for packing.

 

[bowhatchie]

Personally... I rub it out real well and then set it aside to dry a bit....
I agree with Fred and Arthur... the dryer the better..

 

[pstlpkr]

I'm a little OCD when it comes to "coins".

PS Luxury, I peel then break them up until I reach the Perique in the middle.

Then I crumble that and sprinkle over the small mound of tobacco.

Then use a fluffing type of method to mix the perique. The pack in the usual manner.
As for Navy "coins" Same as above, only no perique center...
I've never had much luck with just folding or rolling up flakes.

May be because I haven't let it dry sufficiently.

 

[jlee]

I found that early on it was easiest to use scissors to cut into cubes and gravity fill. With practice I am now able to fold and stuff... but I find that even that works a little better with some of the small stuff sprinkled on top to get and keep it lit.

 

[maduroman]

fold n stuff for all my flakes. i do macbarens right out of the tin w/ no problem...

 

[steamtrain]

This sounds complicated---When I get to the train station in the morning I dont have time to do anything complicated in the 15-20 minutes between my coffee and my train.

I know about rubbing navy flak but how do i properly do that? If I rub too much i get to fine of smoke? I prefer long cut Virgina its easy to smoke...

 

[steamtrain]

But again I see this stuff in the store in Swickley PA and I would not be asking this if the tobacconist there was a better salesman and showed me how to use the products that he sells.

 

[steamtrain]

Hold on here just starting to read your article here...

 

[menckenite]

Fold n' stuff is simpler and faster than the traditional loading method of a loose cut or rub IMO. However, if you only have 15-20 minutes to smoke, then I'm not sure a flake is your best option. It will require some prep time to determine the amount you would need to cut from the flake for the amount of time you have to smoke. There's no way to smoke a whole flake in that amount of time. I've had one Mac Baren Navy Flake last over for 2 hours before.
If you don't mind not finishing the tobacco, then flake is good for two other reasons: It's does well outside and I've heard that it can have a DGT - Delayed Gratification Technique.

"If you are unfamiliar with the term Delayed Gratification Technique, or DGT, it is simply this: light your pipe and smoke part of it, but leave at least half a bowl unsmoked. Then put it down, allow it to go out, and re-light it again some time later."