In this forum, there’s a lot of discussion going on about the pros and (especially) the cons of snuff bullets. The bottom line is that most people regard them as a ‘necessary evil’, if only because quality snuff boxes/dispensers are few and far between. (A situation that is now improving somewhat.) And bullets do come in handy for snuffing in windy conditions, or in a car, for instance. The chief problems with snuff bullets is, let’s face it, they’re not made for snuff tobacco. They’re all about small size, small portions and ease of concealment. Indeed, the most common complaint about snuff bullets is that the portions are too small, and that they don’t hold enough snuff for a day’s use. Personally, I would like to add that I’m less than pleased with the little air holes opposite the screw. It is, in fact, a silly design flaw. I like to keep a bullet filled with medicated snuff in my bag, as an ‘emergency ration’ in case I forget my snuff (which never happens) or run out. But what with the ‘bullet hole’, most snuff ends up in my bag, instead of in my nose, if the bullet just sits there. It’s not a good idea. As I only use the bullets for tapping anyway, I’ve considered soldering it shut, I may try it on a bullet someday soon. This said, I think the general concept of the snuff bullet is brilliant, and they would be perfect for use with snuff tobacco, if the following design improvements were made: - The ‘nozzle’ should be the same size (to fit in the nostril), the top should remain conical but wider; - The size of the bullet should be roughly that of a cigarette lighter so it can hold a larger volume of snuff; - The diameter of the cylinder on the screwing mechanism should be roughly twice or three times what it is now, allowing for two different sized portion cavities (this might also allow for use with moist or coarse grained tobaccos); - The air hole, if it has to be there at all, should be made to align with a corresponding air hole in the rotating mechanism, so as to be shut when the bullet is not in use; - The screw thread on the refill cap should be twice as long, so it won’t come undone in your pocket all the time (damn it). Perhaps I’ll draw a sketch of the design I have in mind some day. What about the readers of this forum? Do you have any additional suggestions? I’d like to hear what you think.
Excellent piece of work, and I think you have it pretty much solved from an engineering point of view. I doubt there is anything too difficult about producing such a revised design, but just musing aloud, I expect the issue for any retailer would be around the minimum run that the manufacturer would demand. I believe this has stopped similar projects in the past: the retailer would need to be sure of the return, and if the minimum first run is thousands of units that would be a problem as they don’t shift thousands of snuff containers. The online retailers are not giant concerns so this may simply be not viable commercially. Over to MrSnuff or Snuffgear.
i dont seem to have an issue with the air hole… its necessary to allow airflow, and as long as you dont turn the ‘serving’ bowl down when not in use, i have had no problems with my metal bullet, my acrylic bullets or my blizzard 2.
@Abraxas : Yes, that’s always the problem, isn’t it? Hand crafting it may be an idea, but of course the bullets would be far more expensive. However, the design is a simple one. A good friend of mine is a machinist, I’m playing with the thought of having him craft a prototype (for which, of course, I’d pay adequately). @Firestarter : In theory, that should work, but even with the bowl up, I still get some spillage using a Blizzard (or any other type of bullet). It may be residual snuff stuck in the hole, but it may also be that some snuff escapes past the cylinder, I’d have to figure that out. No matter what amount of tapping and blowing I do, I keep getting spillage. Either way, if the bullet is made in such a way that the air hole/serving bowl ensemble does not let any snuff escape from the main chamber (perhaps by adding a second rubber o-ring?), the only challenge would be to create a larger bullet, possibly with multiple different sized serving bowls, although that’s only a nice-to-have. I’m actually starting to wonder whether such a thing doesn’t actually exist?
A cottage industry type thing would be a good idea, like Pat Collins and his handmade snuffboxes - I would definitely buy a decent bullet.
me too Abraxas. though the price must be good. and in making the bullet bigger, i feel that it may make the rest of the problems easier to solve. more room to play. perhaps a sealed sliding/spinning cover system? extra fine mesh?
always room for inventing a better mouse trap. I mean snuff bullet :)]
I’m new to this game, but have found a bullet to be quite convenient. Well … three bullets actually. My plastic bullets all have different coloured tops, and serve as a good reminder for me as to what’s in them. The green has minty or menthol, and currently has Crumbs of Comfort, the orange has “tobacco” ones, currently Tom Buck, and the purple has floral/scented, currently Jasmine. I’ve had no issues with losing snuff through the air hole if I keep the arrow upright in “fire” position, as this seals off the chamber, and being a noob I’m OK with the smaller quantities delivered, and don’t mind doing two or three “doses” per nostril dependent on the contents and how it hits. The thing I don’t like is the velocity. I’ve found that I have to be a lot more careful with a bullet as it comes out so fast, and there’s a very good chance of missing my nostril and depositing the lot on the back of my tongue if I’m not careful … then doing my “cat with a hairball” routine.
Hmmm … the green bullet just bit the dust (dropped and broke - glass vial). Time to try something else instead I think
I’ve been trying a bullet today for the first time and it’s ok, but I can’t help thinking it’d be better if it was more like a Venotlin style asthma inhaler: push the button on the top and it drops some snuff into a chamber, but the nozzle (nostril part if you will) is on the side (like an L shape, I guess). This would mean you could take a hit with minimal fuss and without looking at what you’re doing. Would be great for driving
Well for starters, does anyone in this group have access to a 3d printer…
@Bizzle that’s a really good idea. Still letting gravity do the work dispensing the snuff but a press actuated (using a slideing disc - think a revolver) rather than rotating the top piston 360 degrees. It could definitely work. Lee gunpowder dispensers work in this fashion and have differing size discs for changing the dispensed quantity.