Dipper's Guide to Snus

[Snusdog]

From another thread

As I think about the differences in the way that snus and dip behave in the mouth, I am becoming more and more convinced that it has a lot to do with the moisture factor rather than the cut.

Dip seems to start much dryer and then have some sort of preservative added to it (thus the longer shelf life and the lack of required refrigeration). Snus on the other hand is moistened the old fashion way (with water). The result is that snus does not bond or clump as well in the mouth (it runs more).

Now this could be because the preservative used in dip serves as a bonding agent (in much the same way that oil causes the vinegar to adhere to the leaf in a salad) or it could be because the snus does not absorb as much water (being already pretty moist) and thus it is more prone to over saturation and “mudslides”.

Regardless, my hunch is that what ever the factors are they are related to the means used to moisturize and preserve the product.

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[MojoQuestor]

... what if, for whatever reason, imported snus was just no longer available.

I'd be picking out my apartment in Sweden.

Okay, I'm a dreamer.

[Snusdog]

FOLLOWUP: The final answer I am thinking now, is no. It's just nowhere near as good as snus, and I think if I only had that choice, I'd just quit.

Agreed Tom!! And what's more, run this little test for a month or so of exclusive dip use and when your lip is torn up and you are popping Tumbs like a fiend b/c of all the crap you have been swallowing, I guarantee you your answer will be no.

It's just not worth it

[tom502]

Well, in my ongoing experiment to see how American dip pouches used like snus goes, I used a couple of coupons and picked up a couple of cans at the grocery today. Skoal Bandits Wintergreen and Grizzly Straight. First thing about the Bandits, they are rather expensive. It was $4 something. Is this normal price? Grizzly is rather cheap at over $2. Now the Bandit pouch size, is not like a mini snus, it is really just about the same size as a regular(large) snus portion, just a hair thinner. The pouch size is great. The Grizzly Pouches are bigger. I really didn't like the taste of Copenhagen Pouches, so I hope the Grizz straight is better. I'm going to eat now, but afterwards, I'll "snus" a Bandit.

Update!
Well, one thing I notice right off, is the dip pouch material is not as good as the snus material.
I did a Bandit wintergreen, and while not bad, it was rather weak tasting. I thought it'd be strong and sweet, and it wasn't. Pouch size was about just right. It's "doable", but not a solid pass. Kept it in about an hour and got tired of it. General Wintergreen is was more flavorful, more sweet actually, and the portion is more comfortable.

Now I just upper lipped a Grizzly Straight. So far, my thoughts are, this isn't bad. I like this more than the Bandit WG. I really did not like the taste of Copenhagen, but this tastes pretty good. Bigger pouch, but fits OK, and it soft. This is a not bad.

My idea to do this is, what if, for whatever reason, imported snus was just no longer available. I could just quit it all, I suppose, but I wondered if any of the US dip pouches could be used in the snus manner, and how would it be. So far, and I am not counting Grizzly Mint pouches, which I tried a while back, because I was not even used to snus then, I have tried Copenhagen Pouches, which to me, just tasted bad. Bandits WG, not terrible, but weak, and this Grizz Straight, which is not bad at all. I actually like this. I'll try Grizz WG next.

FOLLOWUP: The final answer I am thinking now, is no. It's just nowhere near as good as snus, and I think if I only had that choice, I'd just quit.

[shikitohno]

Glad to know it's not just me. I think part of it is how dry my mouth gets with the stuff, which can be fixed by drinking while dipping. I liked the finer cuts, and while I could drink and keep a wad of Skoal mint together, I can't keep a chunk of Cope snuff in one piece if I drink. Aside from that, something just feels off. I get an okay nic hit from it, but there's this nagging voice in the back of my head, saying "Screw it! Get this out of your mouth and put some snus in there!"

[Snusdog]

yea I'm not a big fan of the fiberboard cans and some of the plastic ones are almost as bad.

[bakerbarber]

Here's what I know for sure. grizzly cans are the best made cans. They seal and lock.

I put my loose snus in them, especially swedish match brands that have fiberboard. They last forever in a grizzly can.


Grizzly was $1.39 at the beer distributors. I bought a few and will try to figure out how to code them for various varieties of snus when they're empty.

[Snusdog]

Anyone find that snus has totally turned them off to dip? I was snuffing and dipping over the summer, and put in an order for snus around June, just to give it a try. Now, I still like the taste, but something just feels wrong with it in my mouth. I picked up a can of Cope snuff a couple weeks ago, and every time I decide to have some, I spit it out within 10-20 minutes because it just doesn't feel right.

Bingo! That's it exactly :!: :!: :!:

I posted an article a few weeks back about going under deep cover. In it I told how after about two years of exclusive snus I went back and bought a can of my old regular dip brand just to see if my initial comparison between dip and snus still held up.

Not only did it hold up, it was confirmed more than ever. My experience was just like yours. I could not keep the dip in my mouth for any period of time. Also, I could feel almost at once, the something other that American Tobacco puts into dip.

So I’m with you man.

And for me this means that I have absolutely no desire to ever EVER go back to dip. The quality, purity, and all around superiority of snus has exposed dip. That is why I am so thankful for snus and so passionate about it.

Thanks for your post shikitohno. I could not have put it better.

[shikitohno]

Anyone find that snus has totally turned them off to dip? I was snuffing and dipping over the summer, and put in an order for snus around June, just to give it a try. Now, I still like the taste, but something just feels wrong with it in my mouth. I picked up a can of Cope snuff a couple weeks ago, and every time I decide to have some, I spit it out within 10-20 minutes because it just doesn't feel right.

[cyrax777]

I still have this experiment in progress to try various dip pouches in snus format. I got some coupons, and am gonna get some Grizzly Straight, and Skoal Wintegreen Bandits. I tried this already with Copenhagen pouches, and it "worked" fine, but I did not like the taste of it at all, and the portion size, while "doable", was really too big.

i just made a pris of cope longcut (i pick up a can once in a blue moon) with my prismaster. worked really well.

[tom502]

I still have this experiment in progress to try various dip pouches in snus format. I got some coupons, and am gonna get some Grizzly Straight, and Skoal Wintegreen Bandits. I tried this already with Copenhagen pouches, and it "worked" fine, but I did not like the taste of it at all, and the portion size, while "doable", was really too big.

[Snusdog]

How to get a Pris in your mouth without breakup

The quoted section below is a post from another thread that I thought might be of help. It describes how to get a pris into your mouth without it breaking up. It is a simple one hand (actually just two fingers) one motion method that keeps the pris from being squeezed (and thus breaking up) as you try to get it in. After the quoted section, I try to add some clarification.

I've got a question. The first time I handbaked, it came out really well and stayed solid until I was done with it. I'm getting worse and worse, though. I'll pack it up nice, but when I put it in it'll catch on my lip or something and break in half or worse, crumble. It's Ettan and it's pretty fresh, it hasn't dried out or anything. How do I stick it in?!?!?! (haha, I know)

I just lead in with the back of outside finger that is holding the pris- using the back of the finger to push the lip out of the way as I go. Also, I begin with my finger on the back of the mouth- where top and bottom lips meet when the mouth is open (not right where I am putting the pris). This makes it easier to catch the lip and slide the pris up into place while keeping the lip out of the way.

I have no idea if this makes any sense but I hope it will help.

Let me try this again:

1. Hold the pris between two fingers
2. Open your mouth and hold the pris above your tongue
3. Now move your fingers with the pris to the left or to the right
4. Your outside finger will hit the side of your lip/mouth
5. push/stretch the lip out a bit with the back of the finger
6. slide your finger up, around the inside of the lip until it is where you want the pris to go
7. put pris in place, remove fingers, and adjust with tongue to preference

Important: a big advantage of this method is that there is no need to grip the pris tightly and thus break it up as you struggle to get it in. Therefore, it is important to remember to relax, hold the pris lightly, and let the back of your finger clear the way in a single natural motion


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[paulwall9]

Prima flint, is a very high quality snus! but as Snusdog has stated its flavor is very subtle and takes a seasoned mouth to taste! after a while I believe you will really enjoy it!

[Snusdog]

Snusdog,
I appreciate all of your tips. I have the Gotesborg Prima Fint los in now and it's not too bad. I like the Etta a lot better so far. I can't believe how moist both of them are. I will continue to experiment with the size of the pris and the brands. I have in 3 clicks now and am so glad I got the IceTool. It makes it a whole lot easier. I would have already quit trying los if I didn't have it.

Ted

PMD,

Prima is a high quality snus. To me, the base tobacco seems to be the same as that used for Roda (Prima is more straight forward tobacco while Roda has more flavors added on top of the base).

I usually don't recommend Prima to those who are new to los because it is so mild and its grind is so fine. Nonetheless, it is a quality snus and a must try IMO- just not at first. But who cares about that as long as you are enjoying it.

Here is one thing that you might want to play around with as you work your way through the tin:

With Prima, I find that you will want to bake the pris as lose as you possibly can without running into mudslides. The ultra fine grind means that the tighter the bake, the less saliva reaches the tobacco and thus the less flavor you are going to get (same thing goes for Roda). Try lower liping it like you would dip and you will see what I mean.

Hope this helps and thanks for sticking your post over here and keeping folks up to date

[daruckis]

i got frustrated with handbaking really quickly. good thing i got a prismaster right off the bat. i actually kind of like my prismaster. the icetools far superior, but some days, a full prismaster is just what the doc ordered.