Cigar setup

[syngent]

So yeah i like the who, cut it and light it, scene with the cigars, much easier to deal with on the car ride home, and the ones i have had had lasted the perfect amount of time for me too, so it looks like ill need some cigars laying around with my pipes

So what am i looking at to spend on a decent setup, my local guys are really helpful but of course are going to push their own stuff and thus i may not get the best price vs. need thing, im going to check them out anyway but if i want to keep 10-25 cigars floating around some will sit for some time, so i guess i need one of them there wooden boxy thingys,

some start out suggestions would be great

Thanks in advance to all but Boris as this one is his fault for sure

James

 

[Commander Quan]

Get a 50 count humidor minimum, 100 would be better. These hold a lot less than those specks. 65% beads either from heartfelt or cirarmony, and your all set.

 

[syngent]

What am I looking at spending on something like that without going crazy Derrick... this gonna be a 500 dollar box? Please say no... I'm expecting no

 

[Saxman11290]

cigarsinternational is a GREAT website to find deals on. You can find some mid-range cigars to some mainstays for super discounted prices regularly. I just started using them after a friend recommended it to me. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, just trying to pass on the savings to someone else looking to break into the scene.

They also have discounts on humidors and the like regularly. I'd sign up for their newsletter / e-mail thingy

 

[Hunter]

Well James, I bought my 125 cigar humidor from cigarstar.ca on sale at $120 w/ shipping. They are based out of Ontario so I can see shipping for you being cheaper. Also avoid buying cigars from the US, besides customs fees there is a chance that they will be fairly dried out by the time they get to you. I also think that getting beads is a good plan when you do get a humidor, I also think you should have a digital hydrometer inside the box so you can have good readings all the time. That is keeping the cigars, now for buying them.

Buying them from your local B&M is always good, I love to support a local company and talk to someone face to face about what you like and what you can expand with. Sadly they don't always have the selection you want, which leads to buying online. It is against the law in Canada to sell tobacco products to someone in another province which is a pain in the ***. Though somehow the guys at Cigar Chief have got around this which makes me happy. They have a good price for cigars and are close enough that you don't have to worry about your package not getting on a plane somewhere in Europe and not ending up in your hands.

There are other fun accessories you can get as well. Travel humidors are great when traveling with or to other smokers. There are three main types of cutters, Guillotine, V-cutter, and Punch, I have the guillotine (which I see you already have) and the punch which I like for my Churchills. Cigar ashtrays are nice to have because they are deeper to hold a lot of ash that you get from smoking cigars and having friends over that smoke cigars.... I think this might be enough of my rambling, if you want to know anything else just ask... I should have an answer.

Happy Smoking,

 

[Headcharge]

I think my first 100 count humidor was around 50 bucks and my heartfelt beads ran around 20 bucks. Shoot me a PM if you want any more info.

 

[showcattle]

Hey James you can build your own humidor from a cooler or wine cooler if temp is an issue. I use a small picnic cooler with spanish cedar shelves it will hold over 125 cigars. Use silica cat litter for the humidification media. Also be sure to check out a good cutter like a xikar, palio, or Cuban Crafters. They all have lifetime warranties the CC is around $15. Be sure to check out torches as well I have two Xikars and a ronson jetlite the ronson is around $5 at cvs walgreens or walmart. For Spanish ceder shelves look at cheap humidors .com

Ill try to get some pictures of my set up up for you before too long.

 

[Hunter]

Not to sound like an elitest but I find that cigar matches are the best for smoking cigars, then soft flame lighters, I'm not a big fan of torches at all. But that is me... YMMV

 

[Hunter]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOem4JswMCk

This is a great video I like to share with people

 

[showcattle]

Not to sound like an elitest but I find that cigar matches are the best for smoking cigars, then soft flame lighters, I'm not a big fan of torches at all. But that is me... YMMV

matches are just to much of a hassle for me I like to use my torch to toast the foot, then continue to toast until i get a even glow blowing on it every now and then during the light to check my progress. Lighting a cigar is like shaving everyone has a different technique that works for them and its a very personal ritual. I would just recommend using a butane lighter instead of a zippo as it will impart the taste of the fluid to the cigar.

 

[jumper]

Not to sound like an elitest but I find that cigar matches are the best for smoking cigars, then soft flame lighters, I'm not a big fan of torches at all. But that is me... YMMV

+1

 

[Hunter]

matches are just to much of a hassle for me I like to use my torch to toast the foot, then continue to toast until i get a even glow blowing on it every now and then during the light to check my progress. Lighting a cigar is like shaving everyone has a different technique that works for them and its a very personal ritual. I would just recommend using a butane lighter instead of a zippo as it will impart the taste of the fluid to the cigar.

Much like drinking scotch, there is only one way to smoke a cigar, however you damn well please!

Zippo lighters aren't bad if you left the wick burn a little before you start to light up the stick.

 

[syngent]

Cool I have to hit up my B&M tomorrow ill start with looking at what they got first... then go through all the stuff here and have a look

 

[Toothpick]

Much like drinking scotch, there is only one way to smoke a cigar, however you damn well please!

Zippo lighters aren't bad if you left the wick burn a little before you start to light up the stick.

This is how I do everything in life.

I prefer the torch. I have a Tiger torch ligher I got 7 years ago for $15. refillable and does a fine job. I also prefer the cigar punch, but as mentioned depends on the cigar so I have guillotine as well. I tried to bite the end off once, idk why, must have saw it in a movie. don't do it.

 

[showcattle]

Also remember to not cut the whole cap off or the cigar can unroll and become a pain to smoke. A trick is to set the cutter on a table set the cigar in the opening then cut. Id send you an enabling pack but Im not sure how customs would work.

 

[Toothpick]

here is a good pic. I made the mistake early on taking the cap off while cutting and first few cigars would all unravel a little.

 

[Hunter]

If you believe that less is more when it comes to cutting the head a guillotine is really nice because you can just take a little bit and if you want to take off more you just take a little more off.

 

[Boro62]

I personally love using a V cut. I have Xikar V cutter right now. Whatever you do if you decide to go with a V cutter, don't get a cheap one, they tend to leave ragged cuts.

I also use a torch, I've tried zippos before, but the taste of lighter fluid was pretty apparent to me left it for smoking cigarettes.

A couple of things when looking for a humidor, I would get a 50-100 size humidor, (but also keep in mind that this is with the expectation that you will fill most of the humidor). You generally want to keep the humidor at least half full. A large humidor can also end up being a headache if its always pretty empty. You want to make sure that there is no warping or cracks or anything of that nature. Make sure the lid and hinge sit smoothly w/ a good seal. You want as little gap as possible anywhere in the humidor. The thicker the wood of the humidor the better (generally speaking). The thicker the wood the better insulation you will get inside the humidor to keep it at the temp/humidity level you want. I have heard really good stuff about Cuban Crafter humidors, and they are really affordable. (I personally don't have any experience with them, but will probably get one when I need a bigger humidor). I would also recommend staying away from any humidors with glass in them. Bad seals between the glass and wood, and also light into the humidor is not good for keeping a stable RH/Temp environment.

I would get a digital hygrometer, you can get them for pretty cheap. I ended up just using the one that mine came with. Just be sure to do the salt test to make sure the hygrometer is accurate, and if its not you know how off it is when you look at it. Xikar also makes a nice adjustable digital hygrometer if you end up needing one.

As far as humidification devices, I would have to say heartfelt hands down.

So a Cuban Crafters humidor + heartfelt beads + xikar digital hygrometer should be under $200. But of course it can always go up or down depending on what you chose, size of humidor etc.

Here's also a good link to seasoning your humidor

http://www.puff.com/forums/vb/cigar...5096-how-herf-n-turf-seasons-new-humidor.html

BTW, I'm glad to have been an enabler!