Whether it be a cutter or a lighter, it’s important to get the best item for your money. Below are essentials necessary (OK, some are superfluous) to truly enjoy your cigars.
Cigar Cutters – unless you are smoking Phillies Blunts, you need to cut your cigar.
- Teeth – just because you have them, does not mean you should use them for biting off the tip of a cigar. Please, we’re civilized here.
- Single Blade Guillotine – a single blade like the one used on Marie Antoinette, but smaller. The sharper the better, I prefer the Paul Garmirian guillotine myself (although I am limited to cutting on 48 ring gauge cigars or smaller). You can find these in hand or tabletop versions.
- Double Blade Guillotine – Two blades are better than one? Not always. If you buy a cheapo, you’ll get a couple of months out of it at best, and then you’ll be chewing on tobacco from the butchered end of your cigar. I am a big fan of the Palio cutter. Its two blades are on a slide, so that they don’t deflect when they hit the cigar so that you get a nice straight cut.
- Scissors – Special scissors with shaped blades to fit the head of a cigar. Scissors take skill to use and are not for the beginner. I’ve never been able to use these well. Hal Rubin at Empire Cigars is a big fan of them. His scissors are from Xikar.
- Punches - A punch cut cores out a hole in the cap without damaging the cap. This is my preferred method. The only drawback is that you increase the likelihood of tar build-up in a wetter cigar and sometimes you will not be able to use it with a cigar that draws tight. If I get build-up, I just cut it with a guillotine cutter. I use a punch cutter from Xikar, it screws out an in and so it clears the cylinder of tobacco for you; it is also supposedly self-sharpening.
- Wedge or “V” Cutters – A cross between a cut and a punch. Instead of cutting off the whole cap, you cut out a wedge in the middle. This would be the best of both worlds, but I have never found a wedge cutter sharp enough so that it doesn’t mangle the cap. You can find these in hand or tabletop versions.
Cigar Lighters – unless you have super powers, you’ll need a flame.
- Matches – the cheapest and simplest. There are special cigar matches that are thicker and longer.
- Candles – Candles can light a cigar, but never should as the chemicals and junk in the wick will ruin the taste of your cigar.
- Propane Lighters – DO NOT USE THESE FOR CIGARS! If you have your favorite Zippo case, they now make a conversion kit to make it a butane torch.
- Flame Lighter – This is not a cheap Bic (wrong type of fuel, remember). I prefer the flame lighter to a torch if I am inside as the flame is colder and gentler on the leaf. My favorite is the IM Corona, it has two flames that “wrap” around the cigar.
- Torch – The only way to light a cigar outside. I’ve seen models that use up to three flames. I have ones from Xikar and Blue Rhino that I like. Stay away from Colibri. Alec Bradley also sells and awesome tabletop torch that looks like a Bunsen burner from school.
- Coil - Similar to a stove or space heater although there is some gas that comes up from the coil. These work well in place of torches and are a little safer.
- Lighter Fuel – if you want your lighter to last, use at least triple refined butane fuel. My favorite is Vector brand. It is quintuple refined.
Ashtrays – that ash doesn’t go on the floor. No ashtray really works better than any other, just find one (or three) that you like.
- Crystal – these are generally the most traditional and most expensive.
- Porcelain/Ceramic – Most trays I’ve seen recently are made of either porcelain or ceramic. They are cheaper than crystal but a lot more fragile.
- Pewter/Metal – Another low cost option.
- Travel Ashtrays – These are great when you are on long trips in your car and don’t want to make a big mess.
Humidors – Your options are only limited by how much you want to spend. My one piece of advice when purchasing a humidor – buy one bigger than you think you will need. Also, humidors work best when full. You can find ok inexpensive humidors, but they must have a good seal (use the Dollar bill test!) and preferably be made from Spanish cedar (non-aromatic).
- Desktop Humidors – anywhere from 20 to 200 count usually.
- Trunk Humidors – Now we are talking! Usually from 200-500 count. The one pictured below is a bit small but you get the idea.
- Cabinet Humidors – For the serious collector, usually from 500 – 3000 count or more.
- Walk-in Humidors - the sky is the limit folks! Every cigar aficionado’s dream!
- “Tupperdors” – the poor man’s alternative. You can use a big Tupperware container, drill a small hole or two in the lid and you are good to go.
Humidification - since we don’t live on the equator (most of us), we need something to give us a similar humidity. A humidification element is necessary in every humidor and traveling case where a cigar is going to be stored longer than a day. I prefer my humidor at ~65%. If you run close to 70%, you run the risk of entering the mold zone if you have a spike. Plus I think cigars smoke better at 65%.
- Wet napkin/sock – Yes, I actually know people that have used these before. Unless you want your cigars to taste like moldy feet, please use another method.
- Pouches – These are good for shipping or short term use. Many manufacturers are including pouches in their cigar boxes.
- Cards - Similar to pouches, good for short term use.
- Tubes – Ideal for long term storage. They are shaped like a cigar so they fit perfectly with all of your other cigars and take up a small footprint in your humidor.
- Jars – Ideal for long term storage. These are preferable for bigger humidors but do take up a little more space.
- Oasis Pads – Many humidors come with their own humidification element which is basically a plastic box with slits housing an oasis pad (green sponge) similar to what florists use. These are ok, but require a lot more maintenance and can be breeding grounds for mold.
- Electronic - the priciest alternative but will control your humidity for you to the exact degree.
- Humidifiers - do not use these ever! A lot of cigar stores use them and subsequently have ever cigar covered with mold. Yes, these add water vapor to the air but do not regulate the percent humidity.
Humidification fluids – what should I use?
- Tap water – Not recommended, most think tap water contains too many impurities that can foul up your humidification element.
- Distilled water – I just use my Brita to fill up my Humitubes, it seems to work fine.
- Propylene glycol – an anti-mold chemical. Be careful how much you use this as too much can actually remove moisture from the surrounding air and dry up your cigars. One used, you do not need to keep adding glycol to your humidification element.
Hygrometers - you need to know what humidity your humidor is at. Use the salt test to calibrate it.
- Spring – these are basically worthless as they constantly need calibration and recalibration. Invest in an electronic hygrometer.
- Electronic - the only choice in my book. You can get inexpensive ones that work great at places like Radio Shack.
Travel Cigar Cases – for the jet-setting cigar smoker. You can find travel cases for one cigar all the way to 50!
- Leather Cases – For the more distinguished usually in one, two and three finger sizes. Also available in tubes like the one pictured below.
- Plastic Cases – My preferred method as I am very accident prone. These are also more waterproof than the other alternatives. Cheaper too. They usually start from five cigars up to 25 cigar sizes.
- Metal Tubes – For the gentleman on the go, very nice if you are going to the Country Club for a gin and tonic. Careful though, these don’t hold their humidity well. Usually in one or two finger sizes.
- Plastic Tubes – Like the metal tubes but cheaper.
Cigar Holders
- Hands – you already have them and they are free.
- Clips – When you need to stick your cigar to something. The Cigar Minder works pretty good for that.
Cigar Repair Kits – nothing in life is every perfect, especially cigars.
- Cigar Glue – this stuff is pretty handy when you drop or mangle a cigar accidentally. Made of pectin, the same stuff they use at the cigar factories.
- Draw Poker – I’ve never used one of these. My theory is that if you do need to use a cigar poker to get a draw from a cigar, it’s not a cigar that should be smoked period.
Cigar Breath Savers – nothing really gets the taste out of your mouth in time for a smooch from the wife, so you might as well save your money on these.
- Mints – I guess these are stronger than Altoids?
- Sprays – As soon as you swallow, the minty freshness is replaced by cigar.
