I highly suggest you get some rope! It is indeed something that I believe every pipe smoker must experience in their life time. I like to use cigar cutters and chop them up into tasty medallions. SG Black XX Twist is one of my faves....as is their Brown No. 4 twist. mmmmmm
One more question, sorry if this seems too obvious..but I guess you cut off medallions then rub them out like flake? I haven't smoked much flake either, so I'm not very familiar with that part of it.
"You can imagine where it goes from here." - Maude "He fixes her cable?" - The Dude "Don't be fatuous, Jeffrey." - Maude