Tobacco cuts

[Chris Slenker]

What is the difference between ribbon cut versus shag cut? I'm assuming one is cut plug, and one is just shredded...

Why do some people prefer making plugs and cutting them for smoke tobacco? ... For storage maybe? fermentation?

It's obvious some people prefer it. Or you wouldn't be making your own plug cutters.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Shag is more fine than ribbon and is usually used for hand rolling cigarettes.
Ribbon is wider and can range from good for cigarette injection to pipe.
Flake is plug that has been moderately rubbed out and generally burns slower than ribbon because of increased density.
Cube cut is plug that has been cut into cubes. Slow burning and difficult to blend with.
Press cake is ribbon that has been pressed, or flake that has been repressed.

 

[Chris Slenker]

I'm referring to the processing of ribbon versus shag...

I believe ribbon just goes through rollers or something similar , And shag is compressed then chopped...??

And why would you prefer plug?

 

[deluxestogie]

There are numerous styles of manual and automatic machines for cutting tobacco. The nature of the machine determines how the tobacco must be prepped, in order to work.

1895 Tobacco Chopper

I can create either shag or wider shred (e.g. ribbon) by rocking a curved mezzaluna blade over a pile or a "cigar" of tobacco.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I'm referring to the processing of ribbon versus shag...

I believe ribbon just goes through rollers or something similar , And shag is compressed then chopped...??

And why would you prefer plug?

I don't think that's correct. If you look at Drum tobacco, the classic shag that's still available, nothing is stuck together. Maybe they compress it just enough to get a good narrow slice, but it isn't plug. I doubt it. That technology is far more complicated than doing the exact same as ribbon, but with a more narrow cut. Kizami is

Plug is pressed enough to stick together. Plug is an intermediate step meant to be further processed however you want.

 

[Chris Slenker]

The larger two handed mezzalunas look like kwite the upgrade...

 

[deluxestogie]

My Kuhn Rikon mezzaluna blade:

Bob

 

[Old Gasman]

This may help to explain,

Know Your Tobacco Cuts | Smokingpipes.com

Learn about the types of pipe tobacco cuts, and how they affect the burn rate, flavor, and aging potential of pipe tobacco.

www.smokingpipes.com

 

[deluxestogie]

This 2016 poster is out of stock. https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/spc-2016-poster

Bob