The Home Blending/Flake Making Thread

[Haebar]

Made my first attempt at making flake tobacco tonight! Layered alternating levels of air-cured, red Virginia, and Burley red tips:



Built up the layers to 4.5 inches (wish I'd gone to 5.5 to 6 inches):



Wrapped the whole bundle in waxed paper and clamped the boards together:



(Elijah Craig Barrel Proof)



Then put the C-clamps to work:



Now I'll leave them for 3 weeks or so.

[GWBowman]

Looking forward to seeing the box press in action.

[Haebar]

Looking forward to seeing the box press in action.

This morning I blended a mixture to make a VaPer:

22% McClelland's Perique
56% Pipes & Cigars Red VA ribbon
11% Whole Leaf Tobacco's Lemon VA (shredded)
11% Leaf Only's Flue cured Bright Virginia (shredded)



Then I lined the box with waxed paper:



Then I stuffed in the blended tobacco, folded the waxed paper over the top of it and fastened the lid down with the C-clamps. Then I tightened them as much as I could:



I plan on leaving it under pressure for about 3 weeks. This is my first time doing this and I learned that I could have put more tobacco into the box than I did. So, next time I will increase the recipe from 9 ounces to about 12 ounces.

[Bruck]

@Haebar - nice pressing box!

My only advice is to start with small batches till you find a killer blend.

[BryGuySC]

Made my first attempt at making flake tobacco tonight! Layered alternating levels of air-cured, red Virginia, and Burley red tips:



Built up the layers to 4.5 inches (wish I'd gone to 5.5 to 6 inches):



Wrapped the whole bundle in waxed paper and clamped the boards together:



(Elijah Craig Barrel Proof)



Then put the C-clamps to work:



Now I'll leave them for 3 weeks or so.

Can't wait to see how these flakes turn out!
Nice job.

[Haebar]

Well, I pulled the flake out of the press this evening and had some success. I smoked half a bowl of it and it is very strong in terms of nicotine. Next time I will spray some distilled water and molasses or sweet rum, or something else to better bind the leaves together at the edges. In the middle of the block, it looks pretty good. I have to come up with a better way of cutting the flakes; this ulu is not a very good tool for the job or maybe it needs sharpening.



The yield was 5 half-pint jars, a jar of scraps, and a medicine bottle full for smoking in the next few weeks.


Anyone else having trouble with Photobucket?

I cut the plank into two long 3-inch wide sections so as to make it easier to cut into slices with the ulu. I sharpened the ulu this morning and sliced the flakes. I'm curious as to what you guys use to cut your flake slices?
Smoked a half bowl last night in a medium Comoy's Guildhall billiard. It is very strong with nicotine! This is on a nicotine level with Tambolaka and some ropes that I have tried. After smoking it, I stood up to cut some slices and got dizzy. I'll have to go a little easier on the Red Tip Burley next time.

[Haebar]

Pulled out the VaPer Kake early this morning and was pleased with the results although the kake was fairly thin. If I increase the amount of tobacco in the box by about 30-50%, I should get a thicker kake. Additionally, if I used more moisture in the mix, it may have binded at little tighter.

[GWBowman]

Looks good, Tab.

[Bruck]

Nice kakes!

Just remember, all that stuff you're making, eventually you're going to have to smoke it (or give most of it away like I do)

Re cutting with the ulu knife, freehand doesn't work all that well - the kake or flake is too tough, the blade wobbles, and you get irregular cuts. What I do is put a hunk of steel (wood would work) on top of the brick of flake, with a thin amount sticking out. Then I hold the blade flat against the steel and press down, rolling back and forth.

IDK if your ulu is the same as mine, but mine has a flat side and a sharpened side to the blade. I keep the flat side against the steel, so that pressing down compels the blade to press against the steel for more stability. Also, with the rounded blade, it helps to start the cut in the middle of the brick of flake and work outward.

[Haebar]

Nice kakes!

Just remember, all that stuff you're making, eventually you're going to have to smoke it (or give most of it away like I do)

Re cutting with the ulu knife, freehand doesn't work all that well - the kake or flake is too tough, the blade wobbles, and you get irregular cuts. What I do is put a hunk of steel (wood would work) on top of the brick of flake, with a thin amount sticking out. Then I hold the blade flat against the steel and press down, rolling back and forth.

IDK if your ulu is the same as mine, but mine has a flat side and a sharpened side to the blade. I keep the flat side against the steel, so that pressing down compels the blade to press against the steel for more stability. Also, with the rounded blade, it helps to start the cut in the middle of the brick of flake and work outward.

That was exactly the problem that I was having with the slicing; I will use your technique from now on. Yes, my ulu has one flat side like yours. Thanks for the tip.