Intimidated by Flake
- Thread starter zonomo
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I've never cut a flake. I enjoy rubbing them out -- to varying degrees -- or just folding them and rubbing out the ends so I can light them easily.
For me, handling flakes is just fun, not intimidating. It adds a tactile dimension that you don't get when simply filling a pipe with a ribbon cut. Yes, it does require some effort, but so does pipe smoking in general. That's part of the charm, I think.
Zonomo, I think you'll find that there's no one way to handle flakes. Each flake may require its own approach. Penzance is a velvety soft flake that I just love rubbing between my palms; it breaks up very easily and, in fact, will break apart on its own if you leave it in a jar for a month or so. Stonehaven is almost paper-thin and rubs out very easily. Other flakes require more effort. And Dark Star requires patience, effort, and maybe even the shedding of a few tears before you can break it down enough to put in a bowl. (That's one that I definitely will try cutting up the next time I pop a tin.) But the reward is worth the effort: if you enjoy stoved Virginias, Dark Star is the pinnacle, IMO.
Bob
For me, handling flakes is just fun, not intimidating. It adds a tactile dimension that you don't get when simply filling a pipe with a ribbon cut. Yes, it does require some effort, but so does pipe smoking in general. That's part of the charm, I think.
Zonomo, I think you'll find that there's no one way to handle flakes. Each flake may require its own approach. Penzance is a velvety soft flake that I just love rubbing between my palms; it breaks up very easily and, in fact, will break apart on its own if you leave it in a jar for a month or so. Stonehaven is almost paper-thin and rubs out very easily. Other flakes require more effort. And Dark Star requires patience, effort, and maybe even the shedding of a few tears before you can break it down enough to put in a bowl. (That's one that I definitely will try cutting up the next time I pop a tin.) But the reward is worth the effort: if you enjoy stoved Virginias, Dark Star is the pinnacle, IMO.
Bob
I love the cube cut method best. I have used the others but the cube cutting is the most consistent for me. For a starter flake that is readily available I would suggest either Fribourg & Treyer Cut Virginia Plug or Dunhill Flake. Both are very uniform flakes that are sweet and tasty.
Cube cutting is pretty idiot proof and always works for me (I am often an idiot), and I usually do that assuming I have the time, tools, etc. Learning to properly fold and stuff is still a good idea, because sometimes it's nice to just grab a flake and fold, stuff and smoke without all the fuss. I still screw it up sometimes, but learning how to do this stuff is part of the fun. A quick and effective fold and stuff is especially useful when you're out doing something or travelling.
Never even heard of the cube cut or fold and stuff until this forum, but I've been rubbing out flake since I got into the Virginia's, it's all preference really
I personally believe that rubbing out flakes or putting them in a grinder defeats the purpose of smoking a flake. I think what makes flakes special are their slow burning qualities which is defeated when fully rubbed out. They will smoke like a ribbon cut when fully rubbed and thereby smoke much hotter and not taste as good. Of course this is just one mans opinion and I have tried fully rubbing out flakes and found they burned too hot for my tastes. The cube cut method gives the benefits of slow burning and a much more consistent burn compared to a fold and stuff. Before I began cube cutting I would break the flakes apart with my fingers into big chunks which also worked well in terms of slow burning.
I've been able to do the Z method several times. I typically don't do it as I just normally rub the flakes out, but I've been able to do it without difficulty. It will depend on how moist your flake is. If it doesn't work for you then don't do it I guess.
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