I take one flake and strip it into 3mm or so sections, like string cheese. Maybe 5-7 strips? And then I crudely rub it out. I don't get too obsessive about it being perfectly rubbed out, because I don't want the collateral damage of tiny bits. I do sometimes just fold it, but not too often. As for moisture, I like it moist enough to be just a tad sticky on the fingers. A tad beyond squeeze and spring back. It's pretty moist, but obviously not so much that it is a struggle to keep it burning. I give a char light, tamp, and one more light. If I have it right, I never have to re-light, so it isn't goopy moist, but if I understand the preferences I read on the boards, probably more moist than a lot of smokers. When my nose is working well, which isn't always because of allergies, I can also tell if the tobacco is at the right moisture level by how it smells in the jar. If I'm not getting much smell in the jar, it's almost always too dry for my tastes. I get a robust jar scent when I have the moisture level right on. Are your findings similar?
. I'm going to start my smokes by plugging a Petersons liscannor XL90 with some Charatans First Bowl, and wish you all a great day my friends.
