From 'dip' to 'snus'

[Raymond]

Hi everybody.
I've been using dip (Copenhagen) for quite a few years, and just today got my first delivery of snus. I picked out a few different types and have tried a couple so far (General seems the best so far - nice taste). I chose loose snus to start with because that's what I've been use to from Cope (old habits die hard). The texture is way different and takes a little getting use to, but it's time to move on from dip to snus. Lots more choices, if nothing else.

As I said, old habits die hard, and I've found straight off that putting a pris in my upper lip is challanging to say the least. A couple of pokes with the tongue and it really does turn to a muddy mixture. I also ordered some portions, so maybe that'll be a little neater.

So, here's the question from a 'newbie': is it taboo to use the lower lip vs the upper? The control (for me right now) is better in my lower lip, but if the tradition is upper, then I'll learn it. It'll take a while, though

Regards.

[Coffey]

Welcome to the forum Raymond. While it is not really "taboo" to use the lower lip, it makes much more mess believe it or not. One of the great things about snus is that it is spitless while in the upper lip. While it is still technically spitless in the lower lip, it leads to ALOT more saliva, and you are almost forced to spit.

[Raymond]

Nice of you to reply so quickly, Coffey. And I think I see what you mean about less salvia in the upper lip. I also got the Icetool Portioner and tried it for the first time. That's the only way to go, in my opinion. Packs nicely and stays where I put it. I'd like to stay with loose snus (something of a purist, I guess). Gotta figure out how to get it out cleanly, though.

I'm thinking portions for traveling, and loose for home.

[phish]

I'm thinking portions for traveling, and loose for home.

That is what a lot of us snus'er do. You should stick with the loose because it is the most flavoursome especially considering you have the excellent icetool. It may take some time to get used to the texture and subtle taste of snus but it's worth it in the end

[littlesilverboxfromwales]

Hi Raymond, If you like whiskey or Bourbon, you have got to try Probe Whiskey loose.
I have found with loose, pack it hard, stick it under your lip firmly, keep it as dry as you can and don't play with it,then it stays solid for quite a while. The edges do get a bit muddy though, even then.
Happy Snusing.

[Zero]

Hey, Ray, looks like you sorted out your login problems - welcome aboard. As has been said, the upper lip is the traditional place for snus, but certainly there are no laws about it. I also find it's neater if you keep it up there. I put my snus right in the centre of the upper lip and it stays there quite well if it's well packed. I find the longer the prilla is, and the further back and to the sides of the upper lip it goes, the more likely it is to soak up too much saliva and soften - like silver says, the edges go mushy.

If you want something a bit coarser, perhaps try something like Grov Snus, Landströms or Gellivare, Diplomat, or perhaps Skruf Stark. Most ex-dip users seem to find the stronger snuses more to their liking - things like Nick & Johnny, Skruf Stark, or Strongcut, for example. Happy snusing, dude 8)

[AlrightMister]

Greetings fellow Lincoln land snuser. I'm out in the far West 'burbs near Elgin. I'm new to snus but have dipped on and off my whole life. As to your question about the lower lip I find that I exclusively go under the top lip for a loose snus and always start a portion snus up top as well. After a portion starts to get weak I move it around, including to my bottom lip, it helps me get all the goodness out. I can't do that with a pris however as it falls apart. I say use snus and enjoy it however you like, top, bottom, or side. Hell I even spit sometimes

[Raymond]

Hey there, AlrightMister !

Just a little north of you - Algonquin

And I'm getting better at "snus-control", loose snus that is. Got some Ettan and Gotlandsnus Portions that work pretty well of course - I can move them around too, but it's just not the same as loose (although the Gotlandsnus has a really nice taste). Now I'm working on "loose snus extraction". Any pro's out there?

Just got back from a business trip and I took the portions, but I really did miss the loose. The portioning tool stays on my keychain from now on. I showed it to some of my snuff dipping friends and they thought it was pretty neat (a little expensive, though, but you gets what you pays for). Also trying to get them over to snus, but there's not a whole lot of comparable snus's to Skoal. Just as well, too. I think Skoal is nasty!

[capkanada]

Also trying to get them over to snus, but there's not a whole lot of comparable snus's to Skoal. Just as well, too. I think Skoal is nasty!

By your reference to Skoal, I'm inferring that you mean wintergreen.
There are now a few varieties of wintergreen snus, and from trying the General Wintergreen, I can actually say its not too bad.
Word of caution, though. I've tried a good number of the varieties of Skoal, but IIRC, I don't believe I've actually tried the wintergreen kind. :roll: Yeah, I know. But if it says anything, the wintergreen General portions taste practically exactly like wintergreen Timber Wolf, just without the whole having to spit thing.

Just my 2¢.

[AlrightMister]

Just a little north of you - Algonquin

Excellent! I've got some friends that live in Lake in the Hills. Have you had any luck finding snus locally? I've been "snus-vangelizing" my local tobacco shops so we'll see if that bears fruit. Bull & Bear in Naperville carries General and Catch so if you're ever desparate you can take a drive to tide you over while you wait on your shipment.

I have three buddies at work that dip, two are on Skoal mint and one is a Cope man. I'm pitching the tobacco harm reduction at them and I think I've got one switched over now. The problem is that there doesn't seem to be any snus that is flavored like mint Skoal. It's not spearmint and it's not peppermint. Skoal mint was my preferred dip too but I find that I now prefer the subtler flavors of snus.

[Raymond]

Haven't really looked around locally for snuff. It seems like it hasn't made its mark in the US just yet, but the more of us that start spreading the word might make the local tobacco shops think twice. Actually I don't recall seeing it anywhere either locally or at some of the nicer tobacco shops in the Caribbean. Online is the only place I've seen it, but it's nice to know there are some places around that carry it.

I'm finding the suble flavors of snus preferable over Cope, too. Still haven't made up my mind which I like best, though, but I'm in no hurry. Skruf and Gustavus seem to be at the head of the pack for the moment. I tried Ettan, too, but it just doesn't have that flavor that I'm beginning to really like.

Don't know about the Skoal guys you're trying to convert, but if I can go from Cope to snus without looking back I'll bet he'd like it too. The various flavors are just too good to pass up.

Speaking of flavors, I meant no disrespect to capkanada by saying Skoal was nasty. I am judging my snusing by how they taste with a beer, and beer and wintergreen (or any mint) just don't mix! I believe I did try Timber Wolf once, but the more natural or tobacco-ish tastes are more to my liking.

[chainsnuser]

Have you both not seen this list?
It's mentioned in several threads and it's from
http://www.swedishsnus.com/smna_us/
(the Swedish Match website, including a store-locator).
Unfortunately, they all carry only a few brands:

******************************************************* *
The following stores sell Swedish snus

Store Address City Zip Phone
Arlington Pipe & Cigar Shop 546 W. Northwest Highway Arlington Heights 60004 847-255-2263
Cigars & More 314 S. Milwaukee Avenue Libertyville 60048 847-918-9999
Cigar King 8016 N. Lincoln Avenue Skokie 60077 847-675-2447
8 To 8 Tobacco 300 E. St. Charles Road Villa Park 60181 630-993-1262
Bull & Bear of Naperville 22 E. Chicago Avenue Naperville 60540 630-428-2888
Burning Leaf Cigars 13327 So. Route 59, Ste. 600 Plainfield 60544 815-609-5080
Old Chicago Smoke Shop 10 S. La Salle Street Chicago 60603 312-236-9771
Iwan Ries & Co. 19 South Wabash Avenue Chicago 60603 312-372-1306
Hubbard & State Cigar Shop 6 W. Hubbard St. Chicago 60610 312-670-0687

The following snus products are available in the State of Illinois

Brand Packaging
General Original 50g Loose
General Original 24g Portion
General White 24g White Portion
General Wintergreen 24g White Portion
Catch Dry Peppermint 6g White Portion

****************************************************

Cheers!

[capkanada]

Speaking of flavors, I meant no disrespect to capkanada by saying Skoal was nasty. I am judging my snusing by how they taste with a beer, and beer and wintergreen (or any mint) just don't mix! I believe I did try Timber Wolf once, but the more natural or tobacco-ish tastes are more to my liking.

Hehe, no offense taken, man. I would honestly have to agree with you though.. wintergreen + coffee (or beer...haven't tried that yet...not sure if I want to...) = :? . It just doesn't work that well as far as a flavor goes.

[theoldsearock]

I'm enjoying my first prilla of Ettan; VERY SIMILAR in taste to Copenhagen! Even the smell is similar - the salty, leathery tobacco smell.

Tastes are different, however. What works for me may not work for others.

Ettan will be a regular in my snus rotation. Thanks to the advice here, I've not had to go through 10 different brands to find what I like. You guys are great.

Ettan is much more similar to Cope than General, IMO. Now I've got to try Diplomat and N&J!

[Zero]

^ if you like ettan you'll probably like grov snus - good stuff 8)