What Did You Smoke Today? (Pipe Edition)

[JimInks]

Just finished smoking Jim’s A Blend in a three quarter bend smooth 1985 Dunhill Chestnut 5202 with a cumberland stem. Watching the Rangers-Blue Jays game.

[JimInks]

Rich Dark Flake in a straight sandblasted black billiard 2013 PSF POY Kaywoodie with an amber colored lucite stem.

[JimInks]

2009 McClelland Beacon in a 1982 near full bend egg shaped Ascorti Business KS with a black ferrule and saddle stem.

[JimInks]

Edward G. Robinson's Pipe Blend in a 2014 Basil Meadows smooth slight bend squashed tomato with an aluminum band and a black pearl acrylic stem.

[JimInks]

Now smoking the best durn tobacco made today: Strang in a 2003 smooth medium bent straight grain Ardor Venere Extra signed by Dorelio Rovera Dublin. Relaxing after making pizza for the family.

[JimInks]

Time for a cigar: Year 2000 La Gloria Cubana Churchill.

[Bruck]

I'll bet Bruck would trade with ya. He hit me with samples of his flakes and some home rolled Brohibas that were shockingly delicious.

Flattery will get you everywhere

[Bruck]

Figured I'd try a chew of Newminster 400 Flake since I probably won't have the opportunity for a smoke today.
I wouldn't try this at home boys and girls. It's not very good.
Taste is slightly fruity but mostly dry tasting and somewhat astringent.
The dominant flavor is like having a mouthful of dry straw, although more bitter and not as prickly.

G&H ropes make far better chew than this stuff.

+1 on chewing rope tobacco. It's not like conventional chaw, e.g., Red Man, but it can be very smooth and satisfying. Actually I can't do OTC chaw - way too sweet!

Navy flakes can be pretty good chaw, but yes, I can see straight VA being a little too bitter. Ya gotta have some flavor. Once I tried some of my heavy latakia flake as chaw while mowing. By the time I realized I had to get that awful shite out of my mouth I was gagging audibly. I hope the neighbor didn't hear!

[Bruck]

We need to talk about making flakes. I'd love a semi-authoritative PM describing your trials and tribulations so that I may try my hand at it! Or, is it as simple as filling a box with tobacco and putting a heavier box on top? What about moisture? How long must it stay compacted? So. Many. Questions!

Happy to share my "technique." Here's a thread with some photojournalism from my latest batch, just to give you an idea of what I do. A lot of people use the simpler method you describe to make "kake" (basically loose flake).

Happy to share more details - PM me with questions! PM me your addy and I'll send you some.

[JimInks]

Tilbury in a smooth 2002 Peterson Sherlock Holmes Series Milverton.