How to cut pipe tobacco to have something similar to an homemade long cut dip?

[cliff0rd]

Here in Italy is difficult to reach some commercial dip, and I have several pipe tobaccoes that in my opinion if blended may give as result a good flavour for an home made one.
My problem is that I have no instruments to cut the tobacco in pieces little enough to be similar to a commercial dip.
Have you suggestions, ideas or some advice to do this at home, possibly without buying a tool?
(Every expense for tobacco different from snus or nasal snuff is not friend of my family life, my wife would bite me like a wolf!)
Maybe I can assembly one by myself if I have not to buy components, but what do I need?
If we'll find a way I'll post here the story of the experiments.
Thanks in advice to anyone who'll help me!

[Snusdog]

Try a little at first (don't do the whole batch before you do a sample tasting)........the reason is ........depending on the brand you have it may not be suited for oral use (the way they are cured will be different) that said, back in the day "Plug" tobacco was used for both smoking and chewing.......so there may still be some pipe tobaccos out there that are suitable for both uses....I would just try a little before cutting the whole batch.

Now as far as how to string the tobacco into long cut.......I don't know.......I would think it would be much easier to convert it into fine cut with a food processor.

[cliff0rd]

Thanks for the answer!
For the first experiments I was thinking to use Virginia and Kentucky both fire cured, but the smell and the taste will be too strong and bitter, because they're not sweetened at all.
May be If blended with a neutral mixture (whitout considering aromas for now) based on burley/virginia/turkish it will be more suitable.
Good idea to make fine cut, in fact it was the final experiment I was thinking about, but when I'm out during the day a long cut is more simple to use, from this fact the desire to have long cut as first choice.
You talk about a plug...interesting point of view and maybe not too difficult to make at home...It may be you've solved the problem.
A this point the last question is: wich kinds of tobacco are better to be blended?
I was tinking about viginia/kentucky (both fire cured), and...what else?
And about sweeteners? At home I just have black molasses, it will be suitable in your opinon, and how much to use?
Thank again!

[cliff0rd]

Maybe I'm insane but today I mixed a 50% of Lakeland Dark (Virginia/Kentucky very dark, firecured and smelling very smoky) and a 50% of Grimm & Triepel Marschall-Schnecke (the one tasting natural tobacco, without aromas).
The first finely grounded by hands and the second like ribbon cut by hands too.
The first was dryier than the second (this was very moist without beeing wet).
When ready i rubbed the hands togheter with all the tobacco in and voilà, reduced in volume it was immediately put in my cheek.
A real bomb! Good flavour and lasting long, after 1 1/2 hours it was well present in flavour and the nicotine was enough to make me wait for another half hour to spit it out.
Dark spit for the first hour then light brown to white.
Aftertaste well present after drinking water and a coffee.
A real strike!
Luck of the beginner?
I don't know, but I'll sure make it again. The only problem is that the second tobacco is close to finish and it's not easy to obtain.
I have to find a new one...

[cliff0rd]

I've just finished to try a new way.
Same kind of tobacco used, may be a little too much Marschall-Schnecke this time...
I used a sharpened knife and cut by hand...what a big work!
The result is not too regular and not too thin, but much better than by hands.
I've moistened by water sprayed directly on the can, a good shake and a good pack and now I just have to wait until tomorrow, maybe in the middle morning I'll take a pinch and we'll see...
I understand it's far from a commercial product, but in my Country is kind impossible to have a real one...so I have to make my dip in this "barbarian" way, and hope it will be at least enjoyable if not good.
Stay tuned for updates!

[Snusdog]

Clifford.....where do you live that you have to go to such extremes

If possible, I would try to get air cured leaf in the future. It will have a lower TSNA count (all things being equal). Also I would not get tobacco with casing (cherry, vanilla, etc...as these are not made for oral consumption and will taste nasty and may not be safe to consume)

Also I would not use sugar or molasses to sweeten it......having sugar just sitting against your teeth and gums can cause tooth decay.

Anyway, I am glad that it is working for you. Keep us posted

[cliff0rd]

I'm from Italy, and because of the EU ban is difficult to have snus here, but for chew and dip is even harder...
Thanks to Northerner site and actually Snusline I'm able to buy swedish snus and some nasal snuff.
The only two times I tried to buy dip or chew they never arrived because they was shipped from USA and probably stopped along the way to my house...
The fact is that I've tried these kind of oral tobacco by friends that was in USA for holidays or work and I discovered a real new world, so if I can't buy them I'm trying to make myself some.
Good advices about air cured leaf, when I'll put my hands on some I'll try for sure..
Generally I don't like tobacco with casing (at least if I have to smoke it), I think I'll focus in natural ones.
About molasses or sweeteners I thought they were to be used because when I tried for example the Red Man original it was sweet and I liked it, but no problem at all to make without if the blend is good enough...
God, it's sad to see all the dips and chews on Northerner, (last days at 50% off!!) and just have to look at them: it looks like a bad joke!!
I'll keep you posted for sure, so stay tuned!
Thanks again!

[Jsmmer]

Howdy cliff0rd, this is Jammer (screwed up my user name when registering, lol), you may have seen me on various forums or not, anyways... I am currently in Italy and could send you some dip if you want, just contact me via MP. I have a fairly fresh roll of Grizzly Natural Extra Long Cut if you want it! Unfortunately, I've had to cut down on dipping as it is screwing with my gums/teeth...

[psychicferret]

IDK if their still going but the snusory had some chew and dip within the eu... brought some chew from them a while ago, didnt quite get the deal with chew. I wouldnt mind trying dip at some point. also snuff.me.uk has some chew but its nasty redman rasins tasting stuff... thats sold from ireland or uk i think.

[cliff0rd]

Howdy cliff0rd, this is Jammer (screwed up my user name when registering, lol), you may have seen me on various forums or not, anyways... I am currently in Italy and could send you some dip if you want, just contact me via MP. I have a fairly fresh roll of Grizzly Natural Extra Long Cut if you want it! Unfortunately, I've had to cut down on dipping as it is screwing with my gums/teeth...

Hi Jammer! Thanks for your kind offer!
I tried to MP you, but it seems you have MP disabled.
Turn them on if you like and write me, I'm interested.

[cliff0rd]

IDK if their still going but the snusory had some chew and dip within the eu... brought some chew from them a while ago, didnt quite get the deal with chew. I wouldnt mind trying dip at some point. also snuff.me.uk has some chew but its nasty redman rasins tasting stuff... thats sold from ireland or uk i think.

Thanks for the advices!

[cliff0rd]

Update:
The knife cut was more comfortable in mouth and packed well.
The flavour was...bleah!
No flavour because as I expected the Marshall component was too much in percentage.
I'll try to adjust adding more of the other and I have to moisten a little bit more for a quicker nicotine hit.
This time I think I'll make it rest for all the week-end to see if time makes some magic in blending flavours.
Stay tuned!

[cliff0rd]

Finally I've tried it yesterday and I sadly have to admit it was not good.
Too bitter in mouth to be usable as an all-day.
The only positive aspect was the nicotine it had, a good amount, but nothing else.
I'm starting to think it's too difficult to make dip at home...

[Snusdog]

Finally I've tried it yesterday and I sadly have to admit it was not good.
Too bitter in mouth to be usable as an all-day.
The only positive aspect was the nicotine it had, a good amount, but nothing else.
I'm starting to think it's too difficult to make dip at home...

You should check out the grow your own section here on the forum. A good number of folks have tried it with great success. That might be a easy fun way to go for you.

I think the problem you are running into is that the leaf has been processed for smoking not oral use.....In other words its not what you are trying to do that is the problem.....it is what has already been done to the leaf that is the issue

[squeezyjohn]

Making a good chewing tobacco is not the easiest thing in the world ... the problem comes from the fact that there is a huge diverse range of tobaccos only some of which are suitable for chewing ... I agree many are too bitter.

Firstly - you need to start with pure unadulterated tobacco (preferably air cured - although some brands are fire cured) - it is no good to use pipe tobacco, cigarette tobacco because they will have additives you don't want to chew ... even cigar tobacco which is the closest to pure air cured will be a bit bitter and strong (not to mention expensive!)

Snusdog is right that growing is not that difficult - although it is a fair investment in your time ... however if you search the internet for whole leaf tobacco - it is normally cheaper than processed tobacco and not subject to tobacco taxes - you need a good air cured tobacco or a burley.