I’m seeing quite a few posts around that mention taking large pinches, mainly to stop irritation but also that that’s what people do when they stop being noobs. I have tried it … and it falls out! I’ve found that a large pinch will have me coughing forth a dust cloud as well as having a fall of stuff once I’ve stopped inhaling - literally just drops out of my snout all over my shirt. The next thing that happens is my nose tries to quickly flush out everything that did go where it should and stay there. Net result is that out of the large pinch I took, the only thing that stops in there is the much smaller pinch I would otherwise have taken … or less if it starts gushing. The other thought I had is that it could be rather wasteful even if it did stop up there. If I’ve got my head round this correctly, it’s only going to “work” if it’s got contact with the softer part of your nose, so once your nose has a coating … the rest of it is doing nothing just waiting to be blown out. Smaller pinches does seem work better for me, even if that means doubling/tripling up to be sure I’ve got a “dose” and built up a layer. So is there something I’m missing guys, or have I just found the best way of loading up for me?
My pinch size varies depending on what snuff I’m using. I’ve also found that most of what ends up on my shirt falls from my thumb and finger while pinching. I thought it was falling out of my nose at first. Some bigger ground snuff will allow a little to fall from my nose. If you found a way which works for you I say stick with it. To each their own.
In terms of surface contact, there are two saving features. 1) the amount of surface area in your most is more than you think, and a well spread big pinch can coat thinly. 2) immediate contact isn’t necessarily required, as nicotine is water soluble. 5he fluids that keep it stuck to the inside of your nose also add a wicking effect, allowing your body to leach nicotine out of snuff not making direct contact. Feature 1 requires practice for you to improve your technique and 2 requires practice for your body to acclimate to snuffing, giving a balanced mucus response. I had this same question a year ago when I was but a lurker here, and pieced the information together with the chemistry of tobacco and the sinus’ response to snuff.
All that being said, maybe let your sinuses get used to smaller pinches, then gradually increase as you feel comfortable. The main rule is this: Get as much snuff shoved up your face-holes as possible with whatever method is most pleasurable. If you don’t like it, you’re doing it wrong.
snuff doesn’t work on direct contact. It basically makes a tea in your nose and that’s what absorbs the nicotine.
Big pinches + mucous = good osmosis " steady, longer lasting nic draw " yum =))
Got it! Thanks guys! I think I’ll stick with “building” from smaller pinches for now till I get a little more fluent with the whole affair, and experiment with tweaking the technique every now and again. Thanks for the comments
I tend to take large quantities in smaller batches. I find it easier to control where I want it to go, and I have less throat hit from the overflow of a huge cloud cruising around. Snot is your friend. At first the copious amount was obnoxious, but it subsided into a more normal amount over time. I haven’t blown my nose yet today, and yet I’m not all caked up with snuff. I think my brain eats it.
Nigel has a nose twice as big as mine. It’s obvious from the pictures he posted. I heard his mother has a nose twice as big which he was born out of.
Large pinches have the definitive advantage that you consume more snuff, making it easier to justify the large quantities the average snuffer is buying regularly. I see this might become a problem for me as my consuming habits are not quiet in sync with my purchasing habits and I don’t want the snuff to loose it’s aroma. On the other hand, I seem to be able to taste the snuff better if the pinch is not to big. But what is to big anyway?
Well with what I already have, what is waiting for collection at the PO, and what has only just been dispatched, I don’t think I’ll be running out anytime soon! 
Here I am 3 to 4 weeks into this new venture (not sure exactly) and I’ve still not finished ANY tins yet
I tend to take large quantities in smaller batches. I find it easier to control where I want it to go, and I have less throat hit from the overflow of a huge cloud cruising around. Snot is your friend. At first the copious amount was obnoxious, but it subsided into a more normal amount over time. I haven’t blown my nose yet today, and yet I’m not all caked up with snuff. I think my brain eats it.
Nice to know building is a recognised sports and accepted in these waters It’s working for me so far, but then again going to the toilet fully clothed worked for me at one very distant point in my life too (infancy), so I’m prepared to accept things might change 
Big, small , what’s it matter? enjoy the snuff anyway you like. The big pinch has to do with the amount of sniff required to get it in place. Small fine particles travel fast a larger amount weighs more , so in theory big pinches travel slower. I don’t have a problem with any size pinch, boxcar,back of hand, spoonful, or any other method. Some day it will become natural for you .Stick with what works.
Sounds good! Thanks for the advice
It takes some practice, particularly how hard to inhale, but once you master the big pinch, I find it easily the most rewarding method. I do get some droppage of snuff on my clothes which I just dust off.
i like the scent of some snuffs which i take small pinches to feel the aroma longer but when it comes to nicotine i use some easy to take snuffs for quick nic rush (6pinches for each nostril) like gawith apricot etc. Do i waste my g.apricot? Yeah but i can buy it from my local store at low cost.
A big pinch is ‘better’ for the nic hit etc, but to be honest I find it a lot easier to take a big mound off the back of my hand rather than a pinch. I’ve just bought one of the new snuffhouse snuff boxes which is absolutely ideal for back of the hand. Lot less mess as well.
Hmm, well I am getting more up there via building … and then my nose is running heavily and I can’t resist the urge to blow it :-S Maybe I just need to get a bit more acclimatised to it :-/
Sounds like you’re on the right path. That path is the one that leads to the most enjoyable snuff experience, which I believe is the one that includes the phrase “stupid amounts of snuff in your nose”
I haven’t blown my nose yet today, and yet I’m not all caked up with snuff. I think my brain eats it.
Hahahahaha! =)) Depending on the snuff, I take bigger pinches…moister snuffs I like put in piles on the back of my hand.