I have solved a large difficulty I had with technique, and I thought I’d share. Like many people, my nose undergoes ‘nasal cycle’ whereby only rarely do I have two completely clear nostrils. This led to much discomfort when taking snuff, as I would invariably have to sniff harder to get the snuff up one nostril than the other. If the clearer nostril already had snuff in it, sniffing harder with the other nostril would make the already-placed snuff in the opposite nostril go further up and cause discomfort. I learned to snuff using the blocked nostril first, but even then, I would generally snuff too hard and end up with watering eyes. I have recently taken to snuffing with only one nostril. I get a large (pea-sized) pinch, inhale gently to determine which nostril happens to be most ‘open’ and shove the whole pinch up that nostril. Using this technique gives me a decent nic hit, because I’m using a big pinch, and I’m not making my nose and eyes water, so the snuff actually gets to do its job. I just took a large pinch of WoS SP, a snuff that I had never really gotten much of a nic hit from before. Now I’m not trying to snuff properly with both nostrils, I am finding that I am getting little to no sneezing, and much better nicotine uptake. That SP that used to deliver no discernable nicotine currently has me in a bit of a cold sweat! Anyone else use this technique? Might be a good suggestion for people new to snuff an having trouble getting the hang of it.
Big pinches are easier to take than small ones. With a big pinch your getting less air with your snuff and the less air you take with a pinch the less likely the air is going to carry the snuff too deep into your nose.
Yes, and there are other reasons too; bigger pinches weigh more, so are less likely to shoot too far up the nose. Small pinches irritate more (think pulling one arm hair vs pulling a handful). This I already knew and practiced, and it was a definite improvement, but I still had the trouble outlined in my first post. As soon as I gave up trying for both nostrils, I achieved instant success, ie. no sneezing and a decent nicotine hit. Will I ever use both nostrils? Probably, as my technique improves further and my nose becomes more accustomed to snufff, but for now, one nostril is working great.
I should add that I have been snuffing for around five or six years, and only had this epiphany three days ago. Today, I didn’t got for my 10:00 cigarette break, as I didn’t feel like smoking. In fact, it wasn’t simply that I didn’t feel like smoking, I felt as though I would probably feel sick if I smoked. I just had one cigarette at lunch instead of my usual three. That’s a Big Deal.
Everytime I think I understand how to snuff, I find a new better way or refinement in technique. I’ve been snuffing for 3 years, so I am still very new to this. :(|)
Me too, but this was a real forehead-smacking moment for me because it’s so simple. It hurts to use both nostils, so just use the easiest one! I can’t believe it took me so long to figure it out. Another advantage is that it’s quicker and more discreet to use only one nostril. I honestly can’t see a disadvantage apart from breaking somewhat with tradition. I’m certainly not suffering from a lack of nicotine!
IDK, I “have” to load both nostrils, perhaps an OCD thing. I do hear you on big pinches–still working on my technique for WE, DW and the like and I think big pinches are the answer. Oh, and my urge for pipe smoking is pretty much gone while I’m hitting the snuff.
I’ve found that if I pinch my nose and blow gently through the blocked nostril, it will open it up for a couple of seconds, allowing me to snuff a pinch off the back of the hand. Once the snuff is in there, the nostril seems to open up after a minute or two and allows more snuff to be inhaled.
I guess it’s all a question of personal anatomy. Exhaling through whichever nostril is currently blocked doesn’t do anything for me. Sometimes (such as now actually) both of my nostrils are open. Weird.
I kinda wish all snuffs were the same in snuffablity , I get used to one snuff and then use a lighter one and whammo ,didn’t adjust for the weight. only happens now and then. I try to stick with matched weight snuffs but some days I am all over the range from course moist to fine dry . What is really messed up is unlabeled snuff boxes, made this mistake once with the delicious chocolate scent that is Bohica. I do enjoy it; but a full boxcar [10 apple seed size] can bring you to flaming tears. #:-S
I agree. While I get why different brands are ‘cut’ differently, it is sometimes difficult to get it just right as I switch back and forth between different types. Oh well, the pains of enjoying fine snuff.
I always do big pinches, no matter the type. Small pinches are fine for aroma, but big pinches really give you the nicotine you need.
Counter Intuitive. Big. And I mean really BIG spoonfuls of HDT are the only way to go. After that all else pales in comparison.
Completely agree on that. Big pinches are the difference between experiencing snuff in all it’s glory and just learning to tolerate it which I firmly believe is all a lot of us do. It took me a long, long while to figure that out - take big pinches and snuff becomes a whole new experience. It never occurred to me and despite using snuff for years it took reading Prof Griffiths site in ‘07 for me to get it. I stopped smoking in under two weeks after that first massive pinch, after 30 years of smoking unfiltered cigarettes and Marlboro reds’. I never thought snuff could supply what I needed nicotine wise and for years I used it as a kind of delicacy without understanding it’s potential. Take the plunge!
Yup @Abraxas the very few people I’ve encountered who do use snuff on occasion use extremely tiny pinches and think I’m nuts when they see me do a pile the size of a nickel (or quarter even) up each nostril.
Completely agree on that. Big pinches are the difference between experiencing snuff in all it’s glory and just learning to tolerate it which I firmly believe is all a lot of us do. It took me a long, long while to figure that out - take big pinches and snuff becomes a whole new experience. It never occurred to me and despite using snuff for years it took reading Prof Griffiths site in ‘07 for me to get it. I stopped smoking in under two weeks after that first massive pinch, after 30 years of smoking unfiltered cigarettes and Marlboro reds’. I never thought snuff could supply what I needed nicotine wise and for years I used it as a kind of delicacy without understanding it’s potential. Take the plunge!
I find that it depends a lot on the type of snuff. WoS are too fine for me to take large hits because at this point they still shoot to the back of my nose and cause irritation. Highly mentholated ones will be equally uncomfortable, especially since a higher amount of menthol makes my nostrils swell and block up inside. I have to go with that for now. Coarse, dark snuffs and especially Schmalzlers are a different game and I can snuff just about a gram per nostril. The only trouble is getting it all back out (kitchen paper towels ;-)) or spreading it on my shirt while snuffing. I guess it all depends on what you enjoy. I can say that I find myself enjoying the darker, coarse ones more and tolerate the English types better. It’s a work in progress.
Another thing to mention, is that everybodies noses are very much NOT the same. If I did one big pinch of ANY snuff, I’d be bent double coughing my guts up - with a fine dry snuff, I’d be imobilised! 
My technique is to layer up, and though my nose much prefers a coarse grind, I can accomodate a WoS style grind if I already have some coarse snuff in situ to “catch”. Many of the “prescribed” techniques for snuffing don’t work for me, and I dare say there are many others who have to find their own techniques. I can find it a little discouraging at times when there are posts saying “this is what you should do”. A noob reading those might be turned off snuff if doing it “how they should” and not enjoying it, instead of finding their own style.
Yes but, a newb has no clue what to do. Being fairly new I found it extremely helpful for how to take snuff guides. Of course I am a bit different than most. Tons of research before I even think of buying snuff the first time and, every time (Havana Toast excluded to that rule). I do get not have “This is how and, the only way how” type of rules. Like some people insisting huge pinches be THE only way. I like my spoons but, if you want to use a bullet go ahead. I mostly use my bullet as a tap box.
Whatever gets the snuff in your nose with minimal discomfort is the only rule, and even it isn’t carved in stone. I use a demi-tasse spoon to put in on the back of my hand, switch on the vacuum and I’m off to the races. If it feels good, Do it.
@doctorbeat Im using mostly fine powdered snuffs and Ive used parts of youre conclusion to my benefits. As I misread your post I have been taking snuff only in the most blocked nostril and it works very nice; since its more blocked the snuff dont get in the back of my throat and eventually the “nasal cycle” you mentioned takes place and the other nostril(the one that has not recieved snuff) gets more closed and I switch to that one. Another technique I have learned is to gently exhale through my nose and inhale through my mouth a couple of times before taking the snuff. This enables my nose to get moist due to the damp air coming from my lungs and throat, and thus the snuff is getting a lot more heft to stay to my nostril walls and not hitting my throat. I will however try youre method of using only the "open" nostril and see if thats even better and report back in time to reveal wich I thought was the best method. Thanks for sharing.