Rub Out the Flakes?

[hoyohio]

The "strands" are a ribbon cut and are typically ready to smoke if they are the proper moisture.

The "thin sheets" are flakes. "Rubbing out" refers to the process of breaking up the "sheets" you want to smoke by rubbing them vigorously between your fingers or palms of your hand until they have a consistency similar to the ribbon. Some people smoke whole flakes without rubbing them out. Others like them partially rubbed out. I rub flakes out fully.

You will get a feel for what you prefer over time.

[perogee]

I will take a stab at a couple of answers .

I personally like to rub out flakes to a similar consistency to ribbon cut (because I have not gotten the hang of folding it in the bowl yet , one thing at a time). For me this has been the best way to get a consistent smoke.
As to the flavour of burnt wood in the cob, I noticed something similar (though kind of sweet) to the first couple of bowls in a new cob. The thing to remember is that you do not need a cake build up in a cob, though I think it needs to char a little to not interfere with the tobacco as much.
Hopefully this helps a little.