snus newbie - need advice

[scythespawn]

Hi everyone, I'm from the u.s. and I use american "dip" but I would much rather use snus. I've done alot of research and I know what it is all about but I'm having trouble deciding what brand to start with. I'm fixing to order some from northerner but I have no idea what to buy.. I'd prefer loose snus over portioned snus and the qualities i'm looking for are good taste and good strength(of course) and I was wondering what would be a strong snus? For americans here who have used "dipping tobacco" I am used to the strength in the brand grizzley. I'm not sure how to approach this and I'm hoping I don't get flamed for mentioning american smokeless tobacco but it is the only thing I have to compare it to. I just want to be sure I order the right thing. Do you guys think I should buy the sample box of loose snus? Anyway thanks for any advice I get. I'm sure you guys hear this one all the time.

[Zero]

It depends on how adventurous you are. To truly experience a taste of the variety that snus has to offer, I'd vouch for the sample box of loose. If you're after something strong, your choices probably boil down to Nick & Johnny or Skruf Stark, which are both on more or less equal footing in terms of nicotine and which have noticeably more kick than the other brands.

Welcome to the board, by the way - be sure to have a look around, I'm sure you'll find more information than you could probably ever want about snus here 8)

[scythespawn]

thanks alot, I think I'll buy the sample box and see what I enjoy out of that and move on from there.

[Zero]

Just note that I don't think you'll get N&J and you definitely won't get Skruf Stark (not a Swedish Match brand) with your sample box, so if you want to try one of those to compare you should add a tin to your order :idea:

[scythespawn]

ahh yeah, I noticed that. I think I'll add those to my order. and should i get a portion tool?

[Zero]

I wouldn't bother with a portion tool right away, just hand baking is fine until you're sure you like the stuff. The prismaster is just a buck or two, so if you want something to try out that wouldn't hurt - it's cheap plastic and nothing you'd want to use all the time, but some find it's nice when you don't want to dirty your hands, especially when learning to get the baking technique down (which can be a bit messy until you get the knack of it).

[scythespawn]

yeah one reason i'm really excited about trying snus is that i'm 1/3rd swede. and i just so happen to dip.

[scythespawn]

not like that really matters though. i've been looking for a cleaner, healthier experience.

[Soft Morning, City!]

scythespawn:

Back when I used to smoke, I'd sometimes get sick and become unable to smoke comfortably, so sometimes I'd use American smokeless as a substitute until I recovered. I haven't done it in quite a while, but I remember it vividly, mostly for how sore it made my bottom gums. :lol:

With that in mind, if you like the texture of the American stuff, you're probably going to gravitate more toward the coarse cut loose stuff at first. If you're getting the try-out box from Northerner, Grov Snus and Kronan are both rather coarse and very enjoyable. If you're used to "long-cut" American stuff, you'll probably like both just fine.

But just try 'em all man. You'll be getting eight cans of the good stuff and all are worth a try.

[scythespawn]

wow this site is really active! thanks man, i'm used to long cut american stuff, fine cut is good also but depends on the brand really. i guess i'll be dipping alooot while waiting for the snus.. or maybe i should quit from the moment i buy it to the time it arrives... northerner.com accepts debit cards right?

[KentuckySnusser]

Yes, they do. Keep in mind something you'll notice when comparing prices; Northerner is great for ordering single tins, use buysnus or Swedish Match (swedishsnus.com) for rolls. Until you've found your preferred brand(s) of snus, Northerner makes the sampling experience easy on the pocketbook.

It seems as though you're gravitating towards using loose, which is all well and good, but keep in mind the benefits of portion snus for when you're on the go. Also, several fantastic snus brands are only available in portion (General Onyx, Goteborgs Rapé no. 2, Metropol licorice- three of my favs). You might want to give some of those selections a try as well.

As many members of this forum are former Dip users, perhaps you'd like to tell us which Dip flavors and brands you prefer so that we might offer some comparable recommendations?

[Soft Morning, City!]

thanks man, i'm used to long cut american stuff, fine cut is good also but depends on the brand really.

Well in that case, I think you'll definitely take a shine to the Grov. It's great stuff. Kronan is actually one of the cheaper brands, but I think it's really good. It's definitely got a unique flavor to it that I haven't found in any other snus I've tried yet.

Still, when I say "coarse," it's still a lot more finely cut than long cut dip. All loose snus is sort of a moist powder, but the granules in the Grov and Kronan are just bigger. It might take some getting used to, but I think you'll like it. I've never tried fine cut American smokeless, but I'd imagine that coarse snus and fine cut dip are of similar texture. I might be wrong though.

[scythespawn]

well the dip brands i prefer are grizzley long cut wintergreen,(fairly strong stuff)kodiak premium wintergreen, skoal apple on occasion, silver creek is good too.

[scythespawn]

oh and copenhagen snuff is really good also.(fine cut) mostly all i use is long cut but only because it is stronger to me(with the exception of copenhagen) in other words, i really don't mind a "natural" tobacco flavor and finely ground stuff doesn't bother me.

[Coffey]

well the dip brands i prefer are grizzley long cut wintergreen,(fairly strong stuff)kodiak premium wintergreen, skoal apple on occasion, silver creek is good too.

I don't know if you knew this already, but Offroad has just released two long cut variants: Original, and Wintergreen. I have a can of each coming, and will let you know how close they are to American dip.