Rubbing Out a Whole Tin of Flake or Twist

[rushx9]

I was going to swing in with a big DON'T DO IT, but then again, it's your smoke so do as you please with it. Obviously some folks go this route and it doesn't detract from their enjoyment a bit. I agree that prepping a few days worth for a pouch or "baccyflap" seems like a good idea if you are going to be on the move. I just know with myself, as soon as I rub out a whole tin, I'd start wishing I had saved some to try folded and stuffed or cube cut, or I'd stumble on a great deal on a cigar cutter for slicing curlies from ropes( I actually picked up one on amazon for $2, shipped). I've found leaving a few moist gawith flakes out overnight usually brings them to perfect smokeability. With some blends I prefer to rub fairly well but it seems to take the magic out of others, especially ropes and plugs. A very thinly sliced stack of coins piled up like pancakes is a magnificent smoke to behold, and the ash is not unlike a cigar's.

 

[krizzose]

I usually fold and stuff, so I don’t bother. However, I did once cube cut most of a tin of Dark Star so I could dry it out all at once. That stuff defied all my attempts to F&S

 

[Mr_Smokey]

...Plus depending on how you rub it out you could be introducing contaminates to the tobacco.

Sounds like a good point, I'll do some surgeon-style thorough hand-washing and drying if I rub out a lot.

I'm inclined to rub out enough for three to five bowls at a time. Intact flake, coin, plug and rope retain their moisture and flavor nicely, so there's no point in buying it if you don't take advantage of this characteristic. If you need the convenience, I'd buy loose tobacco and just keep it in a well sealed jar.

Thanks mso. I see what you mean. I ordered the SG 1792 flake and the Brown No.4 rope for the strength and the taste reviews, I also just haven't had a rope before. I couldn't seem to find anything as strong here in the UK that's ready to smoke, I'm not sure if it's due to tobacco availability here or if I've just missed it.

Lots of helpful points and tips, thanks all. It's due to arrive tomorrow, I'll first snip a bit off to rub out and smoke to see what I'm dealing with. If it smokes fine I'll leave it as nature intended, as a 'turd' (thanks blues4goose for filling me in on the correct terminology )

 

[oldred]

I will cube cut a whole tin of flakes to make it easier to load and smoke on the go.
I don’t think anything is wrong with rubbing out a tin at a time.

Sorry for the dumb question but here goes. I see people say they cube cut flakes all the time. How do you do this?

 

[sandollars]

 

[jpmcwjr]

One way is like chopping vegetables. Or making cubes of cheese.

 

[Mr_Smokey]

The package has arrived. I've had 2 bowls of SG Brown Rope No.4.

The new tin popped open with moderate hand strength, Is that usual with SG rope? I usually need to use a metal thing to break the vacuum, but it was very moist anyway so I just carried on.

I decided to try some without drying it, there was a loose broken-up lump that I squashed into my Peterson Standard 317 (good smoker, dinky little pipe.) There's a higher level of squashing involved than with my regular tobacco, not so much that it ruins the draw but enough to keep it burning effectively, I figured that out while smoking it and using the tamper & pick.

The second time (same pipe) I cut it into ribbons and bits with scissors, after the first experience I pushed it in more firmly than I usually would with tobacco.

Straight from the tin it required two charring lights but no relights (a little creative puffing was involved to keep it going satisfyingly), the second was a more consistent burn (I guess cutting it into coins would be similar.) I'm really surprised that it burns so well with the level of moisture, plus there was not even the tiniest hint of tongue bite.

The tobacco is amazing, I'll be smoking it every day I think. So with this rope I'm in the: 'leaving it in one piece and cutting what I need into ribbons' camp. I'll experiment with drying a bowl or two out, it seems that just a little reduction in moisture may improve its burn characteristics but it's almost there straight from the new tin.