The method I use for fine, light stuff (such as the Tube Rose and Hiney Bee my friend brought back from Americy) is one that was suggested here somewhere, and it works - breathe in until your lungs are full, keep that air in, then try a pinch/boxcar of snuff. The tiny bit of air you can inhale isn’t enough to pull the snuff very far, and it stays in the nose. Works for me, anyway.
Oh and like I’ve said before the airpressure diffrence in the lungs makes it harder for things to get in.
After a couple of weeks of experimenting, and in spite of the fact that I was reluctant to adopt this method, I have determined that off the back of the hand is by far the best way for me to take snuff. Less mess, less throat hit, generally hitting the right spot in the nose all round, and easier to take a larger amount. I am surprised that this has turned out to be the case, but it really seems to be the best way for me.
I’m slowly transitioning to using my spoon instead of pinching and I"m finding it much more efficient and effective.
@fbones24…Yup… I spoon 90 % or more predominantly
I have to agree with Juxtaposer. I patiently try to be comfortable with more powdery and dried snuffs. It is less and less ‘hitting’ but I can feel my throat slightly expectorating then. Is it a common thing?
@Welblaud I’d say it’s fairly normal, I mean I don’t think many of us can take Dholakia White without at least feeling a fair tingle in the throat, and I usually cough somewhat. Dogwalla taught a good method which is to inhale with your mouth not with your lungs. Which means you don’t sniff, you just close your mouth, then part your teeth with your lips still sealed, like you’re trying to suppress a yawn sort of; this creates a very light vacuum.
I use a makeshift spoon, I bought a cheap dollar store pair of over-the-ear headphones and broke off the plastic part–anyway, to summarize, I made a scoop out of the plastic on the headphones that is probably a tiny bit bigger than a snuff spoon and most times when I use it I get snuff instantly to the back of my throat. When I pinch it almost never happens. I guess it depends on the person, how hard they sniff and the type of snuff.
This may be of some help. http://snuffhouse.vanillaforums.com/discussion/6332/anatomy-snuff-and-technique-useful-tips-for-beginners
Most will just laugh, but this device is the only reason I still use snuff. Take the hose off that comes with the pump and load directly into the port. It makes it possible for me to use mentholated snuffs, dry snuffs, it don’t matter. It also allows for a much larger hit than a pinch and a better coating to the inside of the nose.
I’ve been reading a lot of the “technique” discussions because this week especially, I’ve encountered an issue. I really like SP’s, but they and most other snuffs are starting to behave just like the very finely-ground Indian snuffs I use - right nostril ok, good burn, nice hit; left nostril - straight into the throat or lungs. I’ve only just read about plugging, so I’m gonna give that a go with 6 Photo Natural which nearly killed me the other day and all the advice about bigger pinches, holding nose further away from hand etc, haven’t made any difference. I’ve switched to using Poschl’s at the moment and heavier Indian snuffs cos it doesn’t happen with them, but it’s really frustrating - a friend recently sent me a parcel full of snuffs from India, all of which look very fine and light; I would hate to think of his generosity as having gone to waste due to me not being able to use them. I wondered if it was anything to do with an accident I had as a kid, when I smacked my nose off a desk at school - there’s a slight bulge/crookedness to my nose (which is only really noticable to me) that I’ve had ever since. Strange that it’s only started to affect me this week really though. Any advice would be welcome…
@vostok- i have the same problem, got into a fight a few years ago, before my snuffing time, so ive never known the joy of snuffing with a perfect nose. my septum is caved in, big cavernous space right hand side, and the left side (which gives me problems) sticks out into the nostril, with a lump on it of what seems like scar tissue that gets damaged easily, i get nosebleeds really easily that side, and snuff seems to just fly up it most of the time, maybe from dodgy pressure. i dont really have much advice for it… except i read a tip somewhere about moistening the inside of nostrils by sticking a wet finger or cooled boiled water nasal spray up there pre snuff that seems to work. it just makes the snuff more likely to stick.
Thanks! Just gave the plugging technique a go with 6P Medicated No6 and bingo!-problem nearly completely eradicated! Really good nic too, so I had to do some more just to make sure, then a bit more, then swapped to 6P Natural (my bugbear) and it worked - nearly! Just a few techinical issues to iron out; I’ve learned it’s best if I don’t breath in immediately after removing the thumb that’s plugged my nostril, but pinch my nose first instead. Seems to do the trick.
I have the same issue but I just came to terms with the fact that there will be some snuffs that will hit the back of the throat regardless. I do agree about wetting the inside of your nose first. I am sure most of you all, if not all, can tell when your nose is dry. I usually will just blow my nose first, or do like mentioned above and wet it with some water. Once the nose starts to run from using snuff it seems like the rest of the time using is easy. But yes, I still get snuff in my throat at times and I have just gotten use to it. Now the times I snuff too hard and start coughing, that still sucks.
The trick is not to sniff. Hold your breath and just use your facial muscles to create suction.
stop snorting snuff! Just stick the snuff close to your nose and breath shallowly look down and it is gone.
I agree with @basement_shaman don’t snort it, hard at first but you get the hang on it, shallow breaths is all it takes. Also closing off your throat when snuffing is easier than it sounds, just drop your lower jaw down with your mouth closed (like opening your mouth without opening your lips) and you can snuff with the best of them, thats what I do.
Thanks for the advice guys, although in my own defence I have to say I’ve not been snorting snuff - my usual technique is to sniff from the anatomical snuffbox or a boxcar in the manner described by @Skell18. But plugging does seem to help a lot with the finer stuff, so I’ll keep at it.
I too find the “jaw dropping”-technique very useful!
Practice, practice, and more practice!! I have been snuffing for some while now and now figured out how to regulated my snuffing so very little powder hits the throat. I don’t believe that I will ever completely eliminate a throat hit, but it does get better over time. When you are prepared to snuff, remember to sniff gently with the mouth, and regulate the pressure by distancing your back of hand to the nose. Just be comfortable. Cheers!
I use the pinch method for this reason…when I bring the pinch to my nose I keep my fingers together and rub them together whilst lightly sniffing. This method has stopped most of the Throat Hits. The pinch is nt flying into your nose all at once so I think that helps.