Sorry if this is a repost, but I didn’t see this elsewhere on the site. Reprinted by Lapham’s Quarterly in their Winter “Intoxication” issue. laphamsquarterly.org/voices-in-time/twelve-step-program.php The true artistic method of “taking a pinch” consists of twelve operations: 1. Take the snuffbox with your right hand. 2. Pass the snuffbox to your left hand. 3. Rap the snuffbox. 4. Open the snuffbox. 5. Present the box to the company. 6. Receive it after going the round. 7. G ather up the snuff in the box by striking the side with the middle- and forefinger. 8. Take up a pinch with the right hand. 9. Keep the snuff a moment or two between the fingers before carrying it to the nose. 10. Put the snuff to your nose. 11. Sniff it with precision by both nostrils, and without any grimace. 12. Shut the snuffbox; sneeze, spit, and wipe your nose.
I think its important to stress using the middle finger rather than the index finger. Thats the key to big pinches. Learning that transformed my pinching experience.
Sure its been posted before, and reprinted in various publications through time, but its always good to read again. If the original link is posted @cstokes4 will make sure its in out official archive.
I once tried to find all of the “steps methods”, to see how it improved though time. But I only got 7, 12 and 13 steps.
I don’t like others to finger my snuff. especially during flu season. If I decide to share it is tapped out or spooned out by me handling my snuff box and spoon. Only my hands see my snuff box. Better safe then sorry; if they need to pinch I suggest they carry their own.
Hello, @SnuffyStuff I totally agree with using the middle finger. With your Ringfinger and Inex you can close your left adn right nostrils respectively. I personally get far less into my throat or bronchia with this method. Slowly, we are approaching the Singularity of the perfect pinch … regards, Patrick B. Ludwig
I think what works just as well as the middle finger is to use the side of the pointer finger.
Jesus, I just tried the middle finger for the first time. Probably the best pinch I’ve ever took.
Two steps to taking a pinch… You open you box and I dip it
And that’s how it started at the beggining, but the higher classes couldn’t accept the same way as the lower classes. So they ended with 12-13 steps at the end of the ‘snuff era’.
Ritual is everything…
I totally agree with using the middle finger.
Me too - if anyone tries to hand my snuff round to other people the middle finger is just what they’ll get. 
Yes, I use the middle finger, because it allows me to obstruct the either nostril, though I only do that in public in a darken theater, other wise I fear that people will think I’m picking my nose. Other wise it’s the boxcar or back of the hand for me.
I don’t like others to finger my snuff. especially during flu season. If I decide to share it is tapped out or spooned out by me handling my snuff box and spoon. Only my hands see my snuff box. Better safe then sorry; if they need to pinch I suggest they carry their own.
Yes, If some one want’s a pinch, I will pinch it my self and place it on the back of their hand.