How 5 common filters impacted my experience

Filter or no filter? This age-old debate among cannabis enthusiasts has always baffled me.

I’ve rolled with strictly crutchless crews over the years where it seemed like filters were too new, unnecessary, and even frivolous. I respect simplicity and sticking to tradition, but I’m sure many of you reading this have been at the end of a broken and resin-sticky joint without a crutch. For my part, I’ll pass – especially since a handcrafted, well-executed crutch is so easy to make.

And while the use of a crutch may seem unnecessary to some, a simple pleated paper filter that you make yourself – like the ones listed below – might even be considered obsolete in the age of ceramic tips and terpened corn husk crutches. Yet even with a market full of newfangled, paperless, and prepackaged tips, knowing how to fold your own crutch is an easy skill that all cannabis enthusiasts should know.

Below, I rank my least favorite filter designs by putting them to the test. I rated them on three simple criteria: lightness, finished aesthetics, and smokability.

What you need to get started

To make your own filter, you can use pre-cut crutch paper, a manila folder, index card, fusilli pasta, or any type of paper with a good balance between durability and foldability.

Note: Avoid printed paper or paper that has been treated with chemicals that you do not want to breathe. I used Manila file folders for this experiment and they worked great.

Least popular: the weed leaf filter

The epitome of cool looking crutches, every cannabis enthusiast should try their hand at the weed leaf filter tip. Most educational resources on the internet will show you how to make a leaf with five fingers, although cannabis and hemp leaves tend to have seven fingers (or more). This is to your advantage as not only would it be difficult to make a seven-fingered blade for a crutch, but it would likely make a huge joint around it.

How to fold it

Small filters are not as it is a challenge to fold a sheet of paper into a small crutch by hand. Pre-cut filters are likely too small for this crutch. I recommend starting with a sheet of paper that is four to five inches by an inch to make things a little easier.

1. Make a “zigzag crease” by folding ¼ inch of the paper down and then folding it back on itself to create a “V” shape. Tight folds are your friend for this crutch.
2. Make two more zigzag folds in a row, increasing the size of each fold as you go. These are the first three fingers on the sheet.
3. Add two more creases, but this time reduce the size of each crease. These fill in the remaining two fingers of the sheet.
4. Spread your fingers slightly apart to match the iconic shape of the sheet, then carefully roll the remaining crutch paper around the sheet to round and finish the crutch.
5. Roll it into the bottom of your joint.
6. Enjoy.

Smokability: This crutch lost points in terms of smokability as it’s one of the main reasons I use a crutch to keep stray bits of grass out of my mouth. To really enjoy the effects of a leaf, you need some big old open space in that crutch, so expect some Scooby snacks.

Bottom line: It’s the aesthetic winner of this contest, but it takes a bit of practice and came last in terms of smokability, so the weed leaf comes in as a great fourth alternative. It took this crutch three times to come down and then an additional take-up to get it to a manageable size, articulated. It takes a little practice, but it is absolutely doable.

Most unique: the Fusilli filter

We’re briefly deviating from paper crutches to add a little MacGuyver-like technique to this showdown. I’m talking about real fusilli – the pasta. When I heard about this filter hack, I immediately dismissed it. Pasta in a joint? Certainly not. Turns out to be a pretty solid alternative if that’s all you can get your hands on.

How to do it

Start with a single piece of fusilli pasta.

1. Break off the tip of a fusilli piece.
2. Roll it into the bottom of your joint.
3. Have fun smoking.

Smokability: The fusilli pasta crutch meets all the requirements for a functional filter. It provided a good base to hold on to and kept weed out of my mouth – all while providing decent airflow and easy pull. My only problem was the flake sinking into some of the indentations which restricts airflow a bit – maybe choose a more tightly coiled pasta as the one I used was quite loose.

Also take into account the diameter of the fusilli as this will determine the size of the joint needed. As a pasta-loving half-Italian, I testify to the great variety of shapes and sizes in the Fusilli spectrum, so choose according to your needs and preferences.

Bottom line: The Fusilli filter receives important points for its lightness. It was a surprise candidate from the unconventional crutch contingent. I can officially recommend it.

Miss congeniality: the heart filter

This aesthetically pleasing tip displaces the weed-shaped filter as it is easier to manufacture and more functional as a crutch. The heart filter requires a bit of finesse as it needs rounded edges rather than sharp folds.

How to fold it

You should start with durable paper or pre-cut crutch paper and a wooden skewer – or some other long, thin round device – to wrap the paper around. I used the inside of a pen.

1. Fold over about an inch of your crutch paper.
2. Roll half of this 1 inch piece around the skewer. Repeat with the other half. Now you have the top of your heart.
3. Fold the heart in the crease you made with the original crease. There is your heart
4. Gently fold the rest of the paper around the heart to round it off. Be gentle as it is easy to collapse the rounded edges of your heart!
5. Roll it into the bottom of your joint.
6. Love on it.

Smokability:

If you keep this crutch pretty small the smokability will be good as it naturally has good airflow. Larger versions of this crutch allow stray grass to escape!

Bottom line: It’s pretty and it works well. Only because of its low demands on more finesse does this crutch come into the middle field. It also requires gentle handling as the rounded edges can easily collapse if squeezed together or squeezed too hard.

Gina Coleman / Weedmaps

Proven: the accordion filter

The accordion and base filters are the quintessence of the classic crutch options: proven, tested and true. According to my personal testing of newer and fancier options, they hold their place at the top of my list for ease of use and functionality.

How to fold it

The accordion is a slightly more complicated fold than the base, but at the core they are the same. You will need sturdy paper or pre-cut crutch paper.

1. The accordion crutch is folded in a zigzag pattern: fold the crutch paper back and forth until you have a total of four folds. They should have a visible ‘W’ shape.
2. Roll it in your joint.

Smokability: The accordion filter needs one more pleat than the basic filter and the airflow glides through well. You can create as many folds as you want, but I’ve found more than four to be too restrictive of your airflow.

Bottom line: It’s very easy and works like a charm. Not as pretty as the weed leaf or the heart, but if you value lightness and functionality (which I do nine out of ten times when it’s time to roll) then this might be for you.

The best: the basic filter

Last but not least: the basic filter. This may be the OG folding technique, and for good reason. It’s easy as it only takes three small folds to create the iconic “M” or “W” shape it’s known for. So what this crutch lacks in artistic flair, it makes up for in cultural fit. Here it outweighs the accordion filter for me.

How to fold it

You will need sturdy paper or pre-cut crutch paper to get started.

1. The base filter also folds in a zigzag pattern: fold the crutch paper back and forth until you have a total of three folds to make an “M” shape.
2. Roll it in your joint.

Smokability:

This filter is tried, tested and true. Good smokability and a breeze. If you’re new to crutches, add these to your rolling game and you’re good to go.

Bottom line: Quick, easy and effective with a witty nod to aesthetics. This is my kind of crutch now.

Featured image by Gina Coleman / Weedmaps