Know Your Cuts

Pipe-Up, Third Congress, August 2012

By Mr. S. Griffith, Club Ambassador

Today, pipe tobacco is sold to consumers in a variety of finished forms. Most commonly, it found in either loose cuts that have been matured & flavored before being cut or in pressed forms where the pressing was a part of the maturation process.

LOOSE

Broad Cut: Wide ribbons of loose tobacco that burns at an average pace

Ribbon Cut: A narrower strip cut that burns a bit more quickly.

Shag: A very thin, stringy ribbon cut that burns very quickly.

Ready-Rubbed: This is a flake that has been rubbed out and is ready for immediate smoking. More on flake in a bit.

PRESSED

Flake: Tobacco that has been pressed into bricks and then sliced into wide, flat flakes. The pressing process assists in the maturing often amplifying the desired flavors. Before smoking, the tobacco must be separated by “rubbing” the fibers apart. Flake tobacco is most commonly found in 3 and 6 inch long varieties.

Slice: Slice tobacco is just a variety of flake. A slice is a thicker version of the pressed flake cut.

Cake: This a form pressed tobacco that has been compressed into round discs and is often sweet from the honey that is added. Will need to be separated for smoking.

Cubed: Another form of tobacco that has been densely pressed into cube shaped pieces during the final curing process. Will need to be cut off with a knife and separated for smoking.

Plug or Navy Cut: Not as common today, plug cuts were first made by sailors who would fill canvas tubes with loose tobacco and flavorings. They would then twist the tube tightly compressing the contents and creating a homemade aromatic. The “rope” was then pulled out and sliced into slivers called plugs.

Twist, Roll Cut, Rope & Curlies: All variations of pressed tobacco that has been tightly twisted for the purposes of curing. Sometimes flavors are added during this process. Once cured, these twists can be cut into “coins” or slices that would be need to be rubbed out before smoking.