The plastic Snuffhouse boxes have been perfect for me for daily carry. Mr Snuff seems to be out of them at the moment, so I’m about to order a plastc MrSnuff box to try. They appear to be a little shallow to get a big pinch out of one? I’d love to find an affordable metal box of some kind for dressier occasions.
I like the snuffhouse boxes better, but the Mr Snuff boxes are plenty big enough to pinch from. It’s not exactly a box, but Mr Snuff has some very classy stainless steel flasks for around $20 that I’ve had my eye on for ages, or titanium for $37. Otherwise, for around those prices, you can get beautiful pewter boxes second hand on eBay. Frankly, I’m a bit over wanting silver. I’ll get a nice silver box one day, but I’m not in a hurry with it. Too much can go wrong, in which case you’ve blown $100+.
I’ve been using an Ari D. Norman box daily for about 1 year now. It has taken abuse (dropped 3 times onto concrete), and it doesn’t look as pretty as it did a year ago. Some character has been added (aka dents/scratches). But overall, it’s held up well in my pocket for 365+ days. I have a few Mr. Snuff boxes, and still prefer my silver box. My silver box fits much better into the 5th pocket of a pair of jeans than the Mr. Snuff boxes. When explaining snuff taking to people, I’ve been asked more than once, “Do you have a silver snuffbox, too?” And it’s fun to answer, “Of course I do.” Even when they don’t ask that question, I think it looks like you’re more serious about your snuff to have it in a sterling silver box, rather than a plastic one, when you show them what snuff looks like. I think snuff just belongs in silver. The Mr. Snuff (Roccoco) boxes are really nicely made, and far more hearty and practical, but I still like my silver box. I’m not saying you (and I don’t mean anyone specifically!) should have a silver box. But I definitely like mine.
I’ve been using an Ari D. Norman box daily for about 1 year now. It has taken abuse (dropped 3 times onto concrete), and it doesn’t look as pretty as it did a year ago. Some character has been added (aka dents/scratches). But overall, it’s held up well in my pocket for 365+ days.
Funny, my Ari D. Norman box was the one that disenchanted me with silver boxes. I found the hinges got clogged really easily. I had to be so careful when I used it that it just wasn’t fun.
You have to be careful which Ari D box you buy because they also make pill boxes and they are hopeless for snuff. Ari D, last time I looked, were selling two genuine silver snuffs, oblong plain or with an engraved lid. All the enamel ones are pill holders. The snuff boxes can be a bit leaky but if you apply some firm pressure - squeeze it basically - you can tighten them up and close off the leaks.
I have a few different ones, I like silver and I have a few, I dropped one in recently and its gone out alinement very slightly which really bugs me, but i need it re alined by someone who knows what they are doing. The one i find myself using most is a James Dixon and Son Pewter one. They are very robust and can take abuse and accidents. They can be found on ebay for fair prices (some seem to be well overpriced). I was told a few years back that often the pewter boxes lids when sold new where often loose, however being rather mailable you just keep fiddling pushing the pewter down with bit of wood until it is nearly airtight. One box i bought unused has terrible gaps but an identical one i picked up on a market has clearly been made tight fitting with adjustment. Not sure this is generally true or not, however it was for the two i am talking about. Just looked at Ari D, interesting…
You have to be careful which Ari D box you buy because they also make pill boxes and they are hopeless for snuff. Ari D, last time I looked, were selling two genuine silver snuffs, oblong plain or with an engraved lid. All the enamel ones are pill holders. The snuff boxes can be a bit leaky but if you apply some firm pressure - squeeze it basically - you can tighten them up and close off the leaks.
I’d modify your statement from ‘firm pressure’, to ‘gentle pressure’. I actually got mine out of whack for a couple days after applying firm pressure, but I did get it back to normal. But while I haven’t had the hinges gum up at all, I am always careful to tap 3 times before opening, and then make sure that the hinges are free of snuff before closing it. It’s become part of the ritual, for me.
I use an empty 50g tub of Dholakia White to hold my White Elephant. They’re great for digging your fingers into without being too deep, and with all that storage capacity I never have to worry about running out lol. Other than that I just repurpose 25g SG tins if the snuff comes in a bag or an awkward tube (I’m looking at you GH/F&T!) I kind of want to get a proper box but I’d be worried about cross-contamination. If I really want a box I should really get at least four or five (one for florals, one for medicated, one for whites, etc.)
first thanks to the people here who aroused my interest in snuff boxes. I used to carry silver boxes; especially a large intricately pricked Georgian. I always pass a box around at dinners or at home. I frequently got them back with hinges out of line or snuff in hinges making them impossible to use until cleaned or bent back into shape. I now carry a double sided french guilloche box. At home I use a silver and horn irish box circa 1750s, a pewter and oak box from the early 17th century, some Chinese export silver boxes. my favorite a silver and horn (not a mull) table box; top is hand decorated with a Celtic Shamanic design and when held up to light the horn is translucent. the silver is totally hand fitted to the far from symmetrical hollowed horn. this makes very little objective sense but the snuff seems more enjoyable from a good box. Gave a few silver I didn’t like to friends and they had the same reaction. If anyone has to realign or deal with gaps I suggest small square nose pliers. put double sided tape on the jaws and a piece of terry cloth or other thick and soft fabric over the tape. and go slow
I actually got mine out of whack for a couple days after applying firm pressure, but I did get it back to normal. But while I haven’t had the hinges gum up at all, I am always careful to tap 3 times before opening, and then make sure that the hinges are free of snuff before closing it. It’s become part of the ritual, for me.