[Mister Moo]

flake maybe too dry - bend in half and it breaks
flake probably too wet - bend in half like rubber
flake about right - bend in half and it partly fractures, partly bends

After drying, bust the flake up into shreds and shards and crumbled stuff and put it, more or less evenly, in a pipe. Do not overcompress when filling or tamping because it WILL SWELL UP as it warms; keep a slightly open draw all the time. If th pipe gets plugged and won't burn, dump it and start over. Easiest way to master flake rubbing, filling and smoking is beginning with half-bowls.

If hard to start with a thoroughly even light across the top of the bowl, add some fine crumbles atop to get things going; tamp lightly - relight. You oughta be good as gold following this advice with 80% of flake tobacco. Each has its own burning character but these general rules apply.

Puff on my brother. Puff on.