The tobacco leaves are compacted under great pressure and heat is applied for days at a time. The Cakes of tobacco are then removed from the press and cut on a guillotine into thin slices. The Pipe smoker breaks the flakes up in the palm of the hand to the texture that suits the pipe and ones own style of smoking. This type of tobacco produces a cool slow burning smoke, but does require skill and practice. More Pipe smokers are buying their tobacco in the "Ready Rubbed" form for convenience and it gives almost the same qualities as the original flake, but does provide more consistent, easy smoking, ideal for the new pipe smoker.