How to smoke flakes, cakes, and rolls

PipeProfessor

How do you prepare your tobacco that is not ribbon or cube cut to smoke?

drac2485

Can't wait to get an answer as ever time I have tried to smoke flakes ( I have never just fully rubbed it out) I end up with an un-non pleasant smoke.

PipeProfessor

Ditto. Lets hope the crickets stop churping here soon @drac2485

thebadgerpiper

For flakes, I'll rub them out and stuff them into my pipe. I know how to do the fold and stuff method, but I find blends like MacBaren Navy Flake work better when rubbed out over folding. Plus there's just something about rubbing out a flake and filling my pipe that feels rustic and old fashioned that appeals to me. Plus, I'll usually have some loose tobacco that I can stuff back into a tin or jar that would've been used up had I just used the fold method.

How I handle cakes depends on the blend. For Briar Fox, I'll pull a layer off as if it was a flake and rub it out. The tobacco is looser in this cake, which lends itself for this method. For Kajun Kake, I'll take my grandfather's old pocket knife and cut off enough to form a flake and rub it out.

I don't have much experience with rolls, but I do smoke a plug tobacco in my rotation. I don't have it as often, as it's a bit laborious to prepare. I'll pull off layers of tobacco from the plug, and then try to shred them using my pocket knife. I can't fold them into my pipe, as the bits of tobacco are much larger and uncut than any of my other blends. I'll slice and dice it as best as I can into ribbons before filling my pipe, but the pieces inevitably are larger than your standard ribbon cut. I did this as well with the sample of Coconut Twist a forum user had sent me.

judandhispipe

Fold and stuff for flakes. Cakes, just break off some and stuff it in. Coins, stuff 'em in, folding as need be. Don't smoke ropes.

drac2485

@judandhispipe I have never suceeded in the fold and stuff method.  Is there a trick to it that you know and can share?  I never can get the dense top part of the tobacco to stay lit.

PappyJoe

I'm in the rub out the flake camp. I've tried the fold and stuff and it works but I enjoy the smoke better if I rub the flakes out. I haven't smoked and rolls or twists but the one's I've seen reminds me too much of something a dog dropped in my yard.

judandhispipe

@drac2485, depending on my mood, I will either break up a little bit for the top layer - just a bit - or else I will simply toast it heavily. Light, tamp,light, tamp - maybe 3 or 4 times. That's gonna break up the top layer enough that it lights more easily.

drac2485

@judandhispipe  Multiple lightings I have not tried.  I will try that method Thanks

judandhispipe

Yeah,it takes longer to light, but I think it's worth it - slow,cool smoke.

PipeProfessor

Do you guys really think flakes are that much better than ribbon cuts?...does it depend on the blend or are they usually much better? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

pipeman83

I rub it out , I've tried the fold and stuff also, both work for me but I prefer rubbing them out.

crapgame

I tend to over rub and end up with dust and have to add the dust to another tobacco..thats probobaly why i have had bad experiences with flakes and VA in general

PappyJoe

I did just take a single flake of Erinmore and rolled it up and stuffed it into a small bowl pipe. Had to light it twice but it burned nice and slow.

PipeProfessor

I'll have to try the roll method when I have a nice long time to really enjoy it!

lesliesrussell

For flakes, I fold, pinch the bottom, ruffle the top, and stuff. Sometimes I sprinkle a little of the leavings on top. A pipe bowl is like an upside down campfire. Tender goes a long way to helping a flake take a match well. Virginia flakes, especially matured VA flakes need some drying time. Set out the night before the bowl you'll smoke tomorrow.

judandhispipe

@pappyjoe just pointed out the advantages - slow burn - and disads - harder to light - of the roll or fold-and-stuff methods. My flake pipes are all smaller bowls - no more than a Dunhill group 3 - except for a big Cayuga pot that I have discovered is great for the Sam Gawith latakia flakes. 

Woodsman

I Shred and rub flakes and rounds. For ropes I slice it as thin as possible with a very sharp knife, if you cut it  thin enough it falls apart into "Curlys" that I gather together and stuff into the bowl. I don't do the ropes often and I don't buy them, all the ones I've gotten have been from fellow pipers and yes, At first I thought it was doggie Doo.

motie2

CAKES, SLICES, AND RIBBONS

 https://www.alpascia.com/moments/en/detail/145/cakes-slices-and-ribbons

motie2

https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/top-best-selling-coin-tobaccos