Los Questions

[Wallbanger]

Hey Guys,

Im enoying sampling my first order as i type this which consists of regular portions, for my next order i would like to try some los, i have a couple of questions though...

First of all, are there any value benefits of los? Does it work out cheaper than the portions? Second im unsure whether to bite the bullet and order an icetool with my first los order or get the much cheaper prismaster tool to start with and then if i like it get the better icetool, what do you think? third question i noticed that the icetool comes in different sizes, would the 3ml be a similar size to a regular portion? And my last question is as i am new to snus i am going through the sore gum stage, i am sure this will pass soon but wondered if the los would be easier on the gums? i.e is it the portion material or the actual snus that causes the soreness?

Thx in advance Cheers Lee.

[lxskllr]

A tin of lös lasts longer than portions for me, so it's a bit cheaper. I'd start with a Prismaster until you're sure you want to stick with it. If you like the lös, an IceTool is well worth the investment. I'm completely happy with my my 3ml, and I wouldn't go any larger than the 4ml.

Any snus, lös or portion can cause gum irritation, but I find the portions more irritating. It helps to switch sides when using snus so it isn't always in the same spot.

[MayorsVice]

I am admittedly new to snus, so keep that in mind when valuing my comments, but I do have some thoughts about your questions.

I do think that loose is a better value than portions. As a long time dipper I tried Bandits/pouches of Skoal and Copenhagen a number of times, the can would never last as long as a can of long cut.

I have a three ml. Ice Tool and find the size to suit me very well. Also, I must say that I consider the Ice Tool to have been a great purchase. It's obviously a high quality product, and it performs flawlessly making the use of loose snus much more enjoyable.

I've never tried portion snus having found pouches of dip to be not my thing, but one of the things I disliked about the pouches was the mouth feel, and I presume that it would be the same with portions.

[ShaulWolf]

I've found los to be a better value overall, though not as convenient at times to use as portions are. A can of los has lasted me much longer than a can of portion has, and I've found the flavor to be more satisfying as well. I agree with the suggestions to start with a Prismaster until you know whether or not you want to continue using los. If you do find you enjoy using los, then I'd suggest to get an Icetool at some point as well. Icetools make a perfect pris each and every time, and they'll hold together much more solidly than one from a Prismaster or from handbaking. Prismasters do a decent job as well, but I find the shape from an Icetool to work better.

The downside to using los for me is that I have to be more careful with drinks and it's not always a good idea to use in a less tobacco friendly setting, i.e. the office or classrooms. Sometimes the juice from los is much more noticeable, so in an office that has an anti-tobacco policy may have issues with it, or professors who don't want tobacco in their classrooms. Drinking anything takes some getting used to so that you don't accidentally rinse the pris. It's not too big an issue, but it takes a little getting used to.

For me it's been a bit of a tradeoff. More flavor and comfort, but less discreet and convenient.

[rickcharles606]

Los vs Portions....well I love both. I started with portions, just because I never really dipped that much, and I am constantly in front of clients at work. I like portions because they're more discreet (for me) and I can really punish a portion for flavor and/or nicotine. I can move them side to side, etc. Not true of los, which I learned very quickly. Hell I wasted damned near an entire can of Ettan los learning how to los, lol. A can of los lasts me far longer than a can of portions. I find that when I have a fat pris in, I mess with it less and keep it in longer.

I've only been using los (effectively)for about a month now, and I find myself using los pretty much all the time when at home or away from work. It does feel better in my lip, and for me the flavor is more subtle than portions, because like I said, I abuse portions. Took me several weeks to be able to consistently use los without getting horrible mudmouth. It rarely happens now, unless I sneeze or bust a gut laughing at something. Could never handbake, the pris master was okay...but the 4ml Icetool is the SHIT! Once I got the Icetool, I noticed I was using los more frequently, with much less wasted snus. So my advice is buy one, especially if your serious about los...makes life so much easier.

I don't forsee myself ever using los exclusively...because I still like portions. Not to mention they don't make Onyx in los, it's my all day long snus. Besides, there is more variety in portion and IMO they are more interactive, meaning I can mess with a portion far more than I can with a pris, lol. When I'm really jonesing for a nic fix, I go for ES portion rather than los, because I can juice it up quicker and force it to give me the nic, lol.

[MrAbstracto]

I like portions because they're more discreet (for me) and I can really punish a portion for flavor and/or nicotine. I can move them side to side, etc. Not true of los, which I learned very quickly.

Keep practicing. I can poke it with my tongue and move it from side to side without it breaking up now

[Roo]

I agree with lxskllr, both los and portions can be hard on the gums, and portions have the advantage of being easily moved around to avoid overdoing it in one spot. However, my experience with most los varieties is that once the initial burn fades, it becomes quite soft and comfortable, more so than portions often times.

As for the icetool, my vote is that if you are even contemplating getting one this early, go for it! I myself love los and use it almost exclusively while at home, but I still haven't ordered one, using the prismaster instead. I reallly want one, but I'm just waiting until my budget is flexible enough to justify the purchase to the lovely lady with whom I share a bank account! If you like snus, you are almost guaranteed to want to use los at least some of the time, and icetools seem to be well worth it. (I really need one damnit)

MayorsVice: are you the mayor of Index? Folks, this is the most quaint and beautiful tiny little mountain town in all of the north cascades IMO. What a treat to have lake serene and those stunning peaks, rivers, and hiking trails in your own backyard!

[Wallbanger]

Thnx for all the replys guys, i am going to stick a couple of tins of los and a prismaster in with my next order and then if i get on with it will get the icetool soon after and lots more los hehe. Just a quick one, out of the 3ml and 4ml you mentioned which one would you say is closer to a regular portion size? Am i also correct in thinking there is adjustment in how far back you can pull the plunger so make different length pris with the same tool?

Cheers Lee.

[lxskllr]

I'd have to see the 3ml and the 4ml together. I suspect that they split a regular portion either way. The 3ml is the original, and that felt good to e coming off of exclusive portion use. It's customizable for length, and I use 1.0ml each time(2 marks on the shaft).

Edit:
corrected measurement. Each mark is 0.5ml

[Grim]

Los becomes cheaper in terms of volume.

24 grams in a portion can compared to 45 to 50 grams in los.

As far as splurging on an Icetool, I wouldnt just yet.

Prismaster is OK, but at 2 bucks its a steal.

I personally didnt like the pris it made and prefered to handbake.

I still prefer handbaking or just pinching n placing but when I work I use my icetool.

The icetool isnt worth 40 bucks, its just a niche product that those who can afford it get it just to get it.

I love mine but if you dont have to splurge on one then dont, lot better things you can get for 40 bucks.

[sagedil]

OK, so I am gonna join with Roo and say go for the Icetool!!

A couple of reasons....

Perhaps most important, if you read back through all the threads where folks talk about the Icetool. So many (not all) say how much better it makes los, how much better the actual pris is made with an icetool vs a prismaster. So if you are really gonna give los a try, an icetool maximises the pleasure potential. This is the big reason I just ordered one, even though I am in love with portions.

Second, it isn't that much money. And it does go to support the folks who make Snuson possible. So for that reason alone, it's not like you wasted much even if you decide you hate los.

So get the Icetool. I did. :lol: :lol:

[Grim]

Im not saying its TOTALLY worthless.

I just dont see the 40 bucks being worth it.

I HATED the prismaster, therefor i bought an icetool, I actually own 2, both in the 3ml department.

It does make a great pris but when you use los almost exclusively you get to the point to where you just basically quick bake in the can and place in the lip, a sorta half hillbilly method.


I cant justify the icetool costing 40 bucks, HOWEVER, i still bought one.

Same with smoking pipes for alternative tobacco products made of glass, with all pieces costing 90 bucks or more.

Is it worth it ?? HELL NO , but you are paying for the art asthetic of it.

Same with the Icetool cans. Those to me or worth what you pay, TO ME, others may say its absolutely ubsurd to pay 35 bucks for a metal can when the can the snus comes in is just fine.

Thats just my .02 c

[rickcharles606]

I like portions because they're more discreet (for me) and I can really punish a portion for flavor and/or nicotine. I can move them side to side, etc. Not true of los, which I learned very quickly.

Keep practicing. I can poke it with my tongue and move it from side to side without it breaking up now

I am able to poke it and lick it for flavor, and can even use my tongue to prevent slide after laughing or sneezing. As for moving...not yet.

[MayorsVice]

Roo:

Thanks for the plug of our little town. The tiny Index economy is based upon tourism, so your words are appreciated.

To answer your question though, no, not the Mayor of Index. The former Mayor of Snohomish.

Perhaps one day you and I can enjoy a pris or two sitting on the riverbank under those mountain peaks. As for me, I write this (via satellite) about two miles upstream from the Lake Serene trail.

[rickcharles606]

Roo:

Thanks for the plug of our little town. The tiny Index economy is based upon tourism, so your words are appreciated.

To answer your question though, no, not the Mayor of Index. The former Mayor of Snohomish.

Perhaps one day you and I can enjoy a pris or two sitting on the riverbank under those mountain peaks. As for me, I write this (via satellite) about two miles upstream from the Lake Serene trail.

Sounds lovely, how's the fishing??