the two lives of Flake

[fshu2]

i have found that i like flake baccy very much but in that finding i have found that you can smoke it two ways. the first being the intended rubbed easy smoke the other being a gentle rub that smokes longer cooler and in my opinion although more work also far more enjoyable. i was wondering if any one else has experienced the massive differences in this form of baccy?

 

[fshu2]

i have never tried that ill give a shot in my next bowl. do you rub first or just fold and stuff?

 

[bootlegbonvivant]

Just fold and stuff. This is how I prefer my OGS and Penzance.

 

[jcsoldit]

I fold and stuff as well, now you may find it a little harder to get lit but once its burning you'll be in for a nice long smoke. Sometime I'll rub out a small amount to use kind of like kindling on top.
The first time I tried flake I remember thinking this is way too much work, but now I prefer it over all other forms... ::

 

[fshu2]

awesome. thanks for the info i find its becoming my favorite form of baccy. the little extra effort is not a big deal to me its definitely worth it.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

There's some good vids on youtube of intros to flakes helping show how to rub them out or do the fold and stuff method. I've used the fold and stuff method with a bit of a rub out after the second fold. It smokes wonderfully and very long. That's why with University Flake I usually just do the rub out. A two hour long bowl of UF gets me a little dizzy otherwise. I've been meaning to try Vanilla Cream's flake version. Probably put that one in my next TAD.

 

[juni]

I was just thinking that I might be missing out when not using the fold and stuff method. Does it give you a hotter burning experience as opposed to the rub out method?
This is an excellent article on flakes: MacBaren articel on flakes

 

[damien83]

I use only the fold n stuff on flakes, and I say that cause I have found the perfect method, on youtube Dubinthedam has a video called "Flakes" and he shows how he packs a flake and since I've seen it I have smoked a flake only in that way and it is a perfect smoke form start to finish. The fold n stuff method is no more hotter than the rubed out method if smoked easy and not chiefed on like a mad man lol, but the fold n stuff does last alot longer.

 

[olderthandirt]

Would be more along the lines of the "3 lives" of flake (-;

Partial and fully rubbed, fold and stuff.
While many of the vids on youtube are good, the article linked to by juni

This is an excellent article on flakes: MacBaren articel on flakes

is the one that clicked for me on how to load flake by folding.

Preparing most any flake in the 3 different ways will usually have a dramatic impact on the taste. Whether that change is a good thing will of course vary with the individual.

SG Chocolate Flake doesn't taste good to me if rubbed out.

G&H Best Brown #2 is at it's best for me when fully rubbed.
It certainly pays to play around with each flake to find out what works for you!

 

[tsport]

Just fold and stuff. You get a much better smoke. I find it lights easier if you have the folded ends at the top of the bowl.

 

[ohin3]

I have to say that if I had to choose between ribbon or loose cut tobacco and flakes or plugs, I would choose the latter. I smoke them all in every different degree of rubbing. I do the fold and stuff thing now and then and the fully rubbed now and then, but I usually smoke as coarsely broken pieces that have been air dried for at least an hour. I also slice flakes to be a bit shorter than the height of my bowl and then roll them up like a sleeping bag and stuff then in the pipe. Gotta set aside some fine dry dust to top that off to get it going, but it does yield a very rich smoke.

 

[pstlpkr]

I've always had some difficulty with flakes.

However; I think I have discovered a resolution (for me) of these difficulties.
I like to smoke flakes in small bowls.

Esoterica Tobacciana Penzance,and Mac Baren Vanilla Cream Flake are a bit on the small side compared to Golden Cavendish Slices for example...

It may just be that there is too much tobacco for my smaller bowls.

So, I have split the flakes length-ways and then used the ol' fold and stuff.

With light tamping I managed a smoke to the bottom of the bowl with both mentioned above.

I think I will no longer grumble about flakes.

::

 

[unclearthur]

Rub out, cube cut, fold and stuff. Depends on my mood. Each will give you a slightly different smoke.

 

[olderthandirt]

Lawrence said

It may just be that there is too much tobacco for my smaller bowls.

So, I have split the flakes length-ways and then used the ol' fold and stuff.

Another vital lesson learned regarding the venerable flake.

Amazing how much a flake will expand while smoking isn't it!

 

[juni]

Something has happened to Uni flake. The flakes are much bigger than they used to be (I recently re-discovered Uni flake). Also, the latest tin of Irish flake is huge compared to the earlier ones in my cellar. I wondered why they made the change?

 

[rigmedic1]

Tall and narrow bowls seem to do best for me when I do flakes. I have a Grabow pickaxe and tall narrow Pete that I save for my Penzance.

,

Fold and stuff, longways.

 

[cyndi]

Bootleg likes them fold n stuffed, but I prefer them fully rubbed. Rubbing the flake out has made a vast difference in how much I like certain tobaccos, especially Orlik.

 

[fullbent]

Rub out, cube cut, fold and stuff. Depends on my mood. Each will give you a slightly different smoke.

Took the words out of my mouth.

 

[juozapas]

Erinmore... :clap: