What's the Point of Flake Tobacco?

[simnettpratt]

Newbie question alert: One of my favorite baccys I've had so far was Solani Aged Burley Flake Blend 656 fireman03 sent me. It was fun to have another step to the ritual, and even though baron tried to show me how to prepare it, I still couldn't keep it lit worth a hoot. What is the point of it though? It seems like the blender goes to extra trouble to make it flake, so you have to go to extra trouble to un-flake it! It was more fun to have to rub it out, instead of just packing ribbon cut in the bowl, but what is the reason behind flake tobacco?

 

[simnettpratt]

Oh. Yeah, rubbing it out didn't seem to make sense, when they've gone to the trouble of flaking it! Cube cut dusted with the sprinkles; cool, plus you get to use one of your pocket knives - a bonus Thanks roth!

 

[thesmokindragon]

+1 w/rothnh - well worth dedicating the time to the almighty Flake ;-)

 

[withnail]

Flakes give you more choice. You can rub them out fully (like a ready rubbed), leave them in larger chunks, cut them into cubes or roll and stuff a full flake. You'd be surprised at how much the different methods change the balance of flavours and the speed it burns. Plus, as mentioned above the process itself changes the taste.
If you have problems getting it lit, try adding some really well rubbed out tobacco to the top of the bowl (kind of like kindling) which should be easier to lighter.

 

[cajunguy]

+1 for the cubing method.
It made my life easier, as well.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I think the purpose of the flake from the blender's point of view is to intensify the flavors and marry them better by placing the blend under a lot of pressure for a certain amount of time. There are numerous ways you can pack a flake. The fold and stuff method, the increasingly popular cube cut method, or you can simply rub it out. I'd suggest giving each method a try to findout what works best for you.

 

[crpntr1]

You'd be surprised at how much the different methods change the balance of flavours and the speed it burns

+1

 

[andrew]

I love rubbed out flake more than cube cut personally, its all preference

 

[homeatsea]

Just a little tutorial from our very own Pipes Magazine for those of us interested in cube cutting your flakes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpQ9EqPuB2Y

 

[simnettpratt]

I saw some bulk baccy on smokingpipes that was cube cut and I wondered what the point was; thanks for the informative and interesting replies. I'll post again when I have some flake and let you know if it's a cubed, folded or rubbed tobacco
I love all the rituals of pipe smoking; so much more fun than buying a pack of cigarettes rolled by a robot.

 

[simnettpratt]

Yeah and you get to buy pipes! No, that's not a Billiard because of the long shank - that's a Canadian. No, that's not a Canadian because of the saddle bit - that's a Lovat. Etc. And you can't honestly tell me you don't think pipe smokers aren't a cut above average. Cube cut! I think pipes do to men what shoes do to women.

 

[homeatsea]

That $600 Dunhill appreciates in value, while her $1200 Christian Louboutin slip-ons from last year are "out of style now" never to come back out of the closet and not even worth a passing nod.

Amen.

 

[cortezattic]

Creating flakes can result in an intensification of flavor, which you can then take advantage of by rubbing it out. It also gives the smoker some latitude in controlling the burn rate: e.g. a folded and stuffed flake will burn slower, so it's more useful on a windy day outdoors.
Russ Ouellette says:

Additional benefits to pressing tobaccos is that they tend to be more stable in long-term storage and are a bit less prone to mold and drying out as compared to loose leaf blends. Also, all pressed and sliced tobaccos give the smoker a little more freedom in controlling the burn rate of the blend. If the flakes, slices or coins are stuffed more or less intact into the pipe, the tobacco will burn more slowly and cooler, but won’t deliver quite as much flavor. Rubbing the pressed tobaccos out will increase the flavor, but it will tend to burn a bit hotter.

 

[simnettpratt]

You know, I debated whether to add that with pipes, we can smoke them more than once. eibhir's going to get me. Thanks for all the replies gents; they make sense.

 

[cortezattic]

@rothnh: Yup. I've become a big fan of cube cutting my flakes too; and Per Georg Jensen, Mac Baren's product specialist, advocates the fold and stuff method to minimize tongue bite -- at least for their coins. Check out the Mac Baren Factory Tour, Part II, at about the 50% point in the video.

 

[dragonslayer]

+1 Roth and other fans of cube cutting. To me flake is the best means of delivering a product and proper cubing the best way to enjoy the tobacco.
You can cut up a few flakes at the same time. Let it sit until almost dry then keep in a small clip bottle, it will last for weeks and be almost perfect for your next bowl.

 

[alexl]

Fold and stuff and Bob's your uncle. It takes 3 seconds.

 

[cigrmaster]

Cube cutting also allows you to pack the bowl much tighter which in turn gives you a cooler more flavorful smoke.

 

[simnettpratt]

This site is extremely helpful. Thanks everyone!

 

[topd]

I'm with rothnh.... It's all about ritual to me. Since retiring I've developed a ritual to almost

everything I do, and take my time at it. Biggest reason I switched to shaving with a straight-razor

and chucked the Bic throw-away's. It used to be the fastest possible way for me when I was working.
I cut think flaked tobacco when I first open the tin. It's much easier than in the video above. Best

way for me is with a butcher knife on a cutting board.... slices just like an onion. Then I let it set

and dry however much I want before putting it in a small, short mason jar, and a days worth in a fold

up pouch. Load a pipe, pour a single malt and I'm set....