How to Pack Broken Flake?

[olkofri]

What's the proper/best method to pack broken flake? Is it like packing ribbon-cut? I've just got a tin of Wessex Classic Virginia that I want to smoke in my brand new Vauen Quixx with its tiny bowl, and I don't want to make packing mistakes this time.
Thanks in advance.

 

[cortezattic]

I always rub it out fully and pack the ribbons as usual.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I always rub it out fully and pack the ribbons as usual.

Same.

 

[johnbarleycorn]

Light rub out and gently pack it in. Tamp as necessary.

 

[deathmetal]

I just stuff it in the bowl for a loose fit and let it sit a few minutes in my hand, which warms the bowl and dissipates some of the moisture from the broken flake. Then smoke normally.

 

[B18]

I rub out a bit for the bottom, than take the broken flake and arrange them parallel to the bowl and stuf it in (not to tight, as it can expand and close the airflow when burned). Than sprinkle the tobacco dust of the rubbed tobacco on top.

Depending on how compressed the broken flake is, i would twist the arranged broken flake to open it up.

 

[bigpond]

Cube cut.

 

[jazz]

For me, it depends on how broken it is. I'm used to the Rattray's Virginias like Brown Clunee and Hal O' the Wynd and I just stuff those as it comes like a ribbon cut. Maybe I pack them a little lighter.

 

[cortezattic]

I recently opened a tin of GL Pease's Jack Knife Ready Rubbed and was surprised to find -- not ribbons -- but broken flake. It got me to wondering if this was scrap from the plug production, thus put to good use. Rubbing it out more thoroughly was an unexpected bother, but it beats cutting plug.

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

Rub and pack. ::

 

[jpmcwjr]

I dry it well, then place the flakes in vertically, and tamp down hard. If dry enough, it doesn't mass up and block the airflow. Sometimes rub out, then dry, then load.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

All of the above, as the mood hits me. ::

 

[olkofri]

For me, it depends on how broken it is.

This is what it looks like. Seems to me like coarse ribbons, but there are some flake-y chunks in there.

 

[cortezattic]

Well that's pretty well broken up already. I'd just rub-up the chunks as I'm packing the pipe so that there is no uneven expansion.

 

[cigrmaster]

I never rub out a flake as to me it defeats the purpose of smoking a flake, for me. For a broken flake like you are talking about I just load up the bowl and keep filling it until I get a certain amount of resistance. I want it to feel like I am sucking a milkshake (not a very thick frappe) through a straw. This will give you a nice cool smoke. It you pack too loosely you will get a hot smoke which sucks.
I will either cube cut my flakes into large cubes, or I will fold and stuff. This way you get a slow burning cool smoke. If you fold and stuff, you need to make sure you leave room for expansion. I don't look for the same resistance of a cube cut to a fold and stuff. I mostly fold and stuff when I smoke outside. The reason being is that wind can make your pipe smoke faster than you want. When you fold and stuff outside it burns slower and cooler.
You really need to be careful of how much wind there is when smoking outside. You can get a burn out quite quickly outside in a strong wind.

 

[pruss]

Goddamn I missed you, Harris.
Preach, ye Deacon of Flake.
-- Pat

 

[mso489]

Sort of the same drill with krumble cake, no? I rub it out but just enough to get the pieces separated and then pack it full but not too tight, so you get a draw. Sometimes you can keep it going with a little judicious tamping with just one light, if you're in the zone.

 

[deathmetal]

I have taken to insulating some flakes and bits of flakes with bits of Five Brothers. It gets the kindling lit.

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

All my tobacco gets dried to where it's crumbly but not dusty. With flakes, broken/intact/in between, I grab what looks like enough, gingerly ball up with my fingers and shove in the chamber. I smoke outside so no kindling required, if the wind doesn't blow out the match it's the only one I'll need.

 

[hawky454]

Speaking of flakes... Do ya'll have a problem with the flakes that used to come in the rectangle tins that are now packaged in round tins? I have the damndest time separating the flakes now as they all stick together in one large chunk and by the time I get them all seperated it's more of a broken flake than the pristine flakes they used to be in the rectangle tins. Really chaps my hide, it makes the fold and stuff method a lot more challenging. Harris, this may be a new thing for you as I think you disappeared before they did the ol' switcheroo.