As I mentioned in the previous section, many a pipe smoker has cast a suspicious glance at a tin of flake tobacco. On taking the flake out of the tin, they could see clearly that the pressed tobacco simply would not fit into a pipe! If the flake is put in the pipe edgeways it is far too long, with the result that much of the tobacco remains above the rim of the pipe. And if you try to put the flake in the pipe lengthways, it is far too wide. Of course, you could try to screw the tobacco into the pipe, but on closer inspection you will find that there is no screw thread in the tobacco! So it rather looks like a blunder on the part of the producer. However, most pipe smokers are energetic people, and with practice the flake can be easily rubbed loose between the palms of the hands. The result is a loose tobacco that fits all pipes how difficult can it be!
No doubt some of you are thinking that I am being somewhat sarcastic in describing filling a pipe with flake in this way. But the fact is that many pipe smokers I have spoken to have expressed these thoughts, which sadly has led to many of them deciding not to try flake tobacco.
Smoking the tobacco pressed or loose gives a tremendous difference in taste. Pressed tobacco burns slowly and gives a cool smoke, whereas loose tobacco burns faster and at a higher temperature. This gives a different, stronger taste than we have otherwise tried to give the tobacco. Therefore our recommendation is to smoke the tobacco pressed.
But let us get to the heart of the matter namely, how to get the greatest pleasure from flake tobacco.
What to do step by step
Before you start filling your pipe with flake tobacco, you should be aware that the size of the tobacco hole can vary from pipe to pipe. You should therefore have some experience of how many slices of flake tobacco to use. And while experience is something you gain by trying and testing, I suggest that you read through this flake manual before deciding how many slices of flake tobacco are best for your particular pipe. In general, it is better to use less tobacco to start with and then decide whether to use more next time.
TIP: Remember that flake tobacco expands in the pipe when you smoke it. If you put too much tobacco in the pipe, you will find that there is less draw through the pipe. Therefore I recommend that you use slightly less tobacco and tamp it more often, so that your pipe always gives an optimal draw.
Step 1:
Take the number of slices of flake you consider right for your pipe and place them in the palm of your hand. For instance, if you use 1½ slices simply half one slice down the middle and lay the half slice on top of the full slice. Then carefully fold the tobacco down the middle.
