Rolling papers are made from a variety of sources. Here are some definitions and descriptions, so that you can find the best paper suited to your needs. Such compositional considerations such as all-hemp, partially comprised of hemp, no hemp, bleached, unbleached, organic, non-organic, available size, gum composition, no gum, evenness of burn, all become common considerations for the informed connoisseur of the rolling paper market.
Hemp is one of the strongest plant fibers in the world. Hemp papers have gained a great deal of popularity over the years because of the “tree-free” nature of this product. They burn very smoothly and, in general, are a little heavier thus making them easier to roll tobacco, especially heavier or larger cuts.
Rice papers are made from rice plant fibres. They often burn very slowly allowing the smoker to savour the experience. Originating in Japan and China this type of paper has become popular throughout the world. However, often rice papers will still contain hemp fibres too.
Flax is a fiber taken from the Linum or linaria plant which is commonly used to make linen. Flax is becoming more popular as it creates in the paper blend a silkiness and smoothness that makes rolling a pleasure while imparting little or no unwanted additional taste to the smoke.
Clear Cellulose – When people think of cellulose, they are most likely to think of plastic wrap. However, natural cellophane is not made from plastic. Instead it is made predominantly from cotton or trees, by chemically modifying natural cellulose. Brazilian clear papers are made from wood cellulose mixed with Glycerin or Agar and burn harsher than standard hemp, flax or rice. Please note that some of the clear papers are made from a Asiatic Cotton Mallow and are completely natural. These burn smoother than the other clear papers. Glass, and Kingpin Clear Blunts are made from the cotton mallow. No matter which you choose, clear rolling paper are still a fun product!
Rolling Papers Other Uses
Yes, rolling papers can be used for more than just rolling cigarettes!
1. After soaking in potassium nitrate, a rolling paper can be fitted to a base bullet to make a combustible paper cartridge.
2. Cigarette papers are often used while playing the electric guitar to carry out notes and make a unique sound.
3. Players of wind instruments, particularly the flute use rolling paper as a blotter to remove moisture that accumulates in keypads or joints. Some clarinet players use a folded piece of rolling paper over their two front bottom teeth to protect the bottom lip from being cut, due to the pressure from the weight of the clarinet on the lip.
4. Rolling papers are used in computer-aided manufacture for setting the right level for drills. The paper is placed on the object to be machined and the drill is lowered until it catches the paper. Because the paper is so thin, this is the easiest way to get an exact start point for the drill.
5. Rolling papers are sometimes used by DJs to tighten a loose centre hole of a record. The paper is placed over the spindle and the record pushed down on top. This prevents the needle skipping from lateral movement due to a large centre hole.
6. Rolling papers can also be used as an instrument by themselves; by folding it and using it as a flute, just as one can with grass-straws, thin candy wrappers or other thin plastic, and similar.
7. Rolling papers are used by a number of photographers use them as disposable lens cleaners. Though some are reticent to do so, due to the possibility of scratching the coating of the lenses. However, this can occur using other materials as well. The effects of using cigarette paper to clean photographic lenses are not noticeable in the form of decreased image quality, unless used extremely often over a long period of time.
8. Rolling paper can be used as a cheaper alternative to facial oil blotting paper.
