Learn to master the art of the back-strap rolling style in these simple steps!
I was introduced to this crafty rolling technique back in 2017 and at the time I didn’t vibe with it. My brain couldn’t figure out how it worked and it looked like it involved a lot more skill than the traditional rolling method, and I wasn’t any good at that at the time either.
This style of rolling is populer because it uses the minimum amount of paper possible. And if you really think about it, why would you want to be smoking more paper than necessary?
There are two advantages to using this style of rolling;
Better for our lungs
Improves the taste of the botanical
Inhaling fumes from paper isn’t good for our lungs and too much can result in smoke inhalation, leading to breathing difficulties, black mucus and coughing up blood. So finding ways of smoking as little of it as possible is ideal for smokers.
Smoke produced from burning paper also has an intense flavour which often masks the flavour of the botanical. So reducing the amount of paper can improve the taste of your botanical.
After years of not being able to back-strap, I was taught a nifty little trick and everything suddenly clicked into place.
Knowing where the glue is located is the key to mastering the back-strap rolling method.
The area the visibility of the botanical (through the paper) becomes harder, this is where you need to lick and stick. This is where the paper overlaps and this is where the glue is located and this
There are a few extra steps to this method compared to the traditional one but back-strapping is worth the extra steps. So if you’ve got your papers, filter and herb ready, let’s learn how to back strap a joint;
How to backstrap a joint:
The first step is the most important, remember the glue needs to be in the right place for this to work. Take your rolling paper as normal and flip it 180 degrees. The sticky bit should now be on the side of the paper facing away from you, and at the bottom of the paper.
2. Pack your herb in just as you would normally
3. Roll up as per normal, ensuring to keep that filter held tight.
4. Once you’ve rolled up, do not let go of the filter. Locate the section on your joint where the paper overlaps on itself. This will be easy to spot as your herb will be less visible through the paper. This is where line of glue is. You will need to produce enough saliva to soak through the layer of paper to reach the glue. Once you’ve licked, run your finger up and down the line where the glue is to ensure it sticks the paper together.
5. Slowly unroll your joint without using force until you reach the place your paper has stuck. If you notice any gaps where it hasn’t stuck, roll it back up, lick and re-stick the paper back down. Wait a few seconds again for the glue to dry before checking.
6. You can now pack down the end of your joint.
7. You will now be left with a triangle shaped excess of paper. You can remove this by ripping it off. Use saliva to make the paper easier to rip but be careful not to rip too close as you may rip a hole and you will have to start from scratch.
You’ve successfully completed your first back-strap, go you!
Since learning this style of rolling the taste of paper is very noticeable. Smoke produced from burning paper has an intense flavour which masks the flavour of the herb.
Got some helpful tips for learning/using this style of rolling? Leave them below for others :)!
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