Becoming a flake smoker

PappyJoe

I must be turning into a flake as I have begun to really enjoy some flake tobaccos. It started with Rum Flake and has progressed to where I'm now smoking St. Bruno Flake and Erinmore Flake. Unlike some, I get more of a berry/pineapple aroma when I open the tin. In a small diameter bowl, it seems to at its best for me and is a slow, smooth smoke. I've smoked about 15 bowls of Erinmore Flake in the past month and it has never created a tongue bite.

I will say I found the strength to be mild at first light and it gradually builds up after an hour of smoking to where I notice the nicotine. I'm definitely ordering some more and will keep it in my rotation.

highstump

I have tried a number of times but have never been able to smoke a flake tobacco as a flake. I will either rub them out or cross cut them into a sort of cube cut.

drac2485

As I get more into Virginias I am starting to enjoy broken flake more and can't wait for the day I break into my actual flake stash and try them again as I think I will have more affinity for them now

Wolf41035

So what about mixing?  Some short or long cut with some flake??

PappyJoe

@highstump Until a couple of months ago I always had to rub them out to get a good smoke. For some reason I found I could roll a flake up and stuff it into the bowl. I then add some crumbs on top as kindling.

judandhispipe

I smoke a lot of flakes. Right now I have open Ben Hartwell Signature, Astleys 44, Sam Gawith Balkan Flake, and SG Navy Flake. I am a firm believer in the fold-and-stuff method, with a bit rubbed out on top.
When I started learning about flakes, I asked what the advantage was, and I was told by a very knowledgeable smoker that flakes smoke cooler and more slowly. It seems to me that if you rub it out, you've just eliminated the advantages of a flake over a ready rubbed.

tomatobodhi

I like Erinmore, too. That and Orlik DSK are two flakes I like to keep in my stash.

thebadgerpiper

Erinmore is a good blend, and St. Bruno is on my short list of blends I really want to try.

I love flakes and broken flakes, but I always rub them out rather than fold and stuff. More often than not, I'll have enough rubbed out to put a bit back into my tin to have for later. Eventually, it adds up to more bowls than just folding and stuffing. It definitely depends on the chamber size of the pipe, though.

PappyJoe

Just bought tins of Capstan Blue Flake and Irish flake.

judandhispipe

@pappyjoe, Capstan Blue is very good stuff indeed.I prefer the Ready Rubbed,but that's me. Irish Flake is tasty, but a notable nic monster.

CretinDan

I have found that as I delve more and more into va and vaper, I really enjoy flakes

Jeedub

I love opening the tin and just looking at the flakes, beautiful! I have recently tried Orlik Golden Sliced and SG Full Virginia Flake, really enjoyed them both. For me the fold and stuff method brings the flavor out more than the rub and stuff method. Rubbed out flake requires less re-lights but it may be because I'm a novice.

Abreathawayfromglory

I love Stok navy flake and also there bullseye flake