Bunch of noobie questions

[Cameron]

I appoligize for how this is written, I have so many things to ask so everything may run together.

I finally got a humidor and ordered a sampler of Gurka's. I have never had such a wonderful smoke, I had a Gurka Churchill (HUGE) with a spiral wrap that I cannot find another one. (if you know what it is please post it has been my favorite so far)

Anyway, I have been using a pair of cheap scissors to cut my cigars since I don't really have anyone to ask exactly what to do. I like the .44mag punch, but I'm curious to how different cuts affect smoke. I noticed that prices are insane on cutting devices, on ebay they range from $1.99 to 99.99...what gives?

Another problem I am having is every cigar I smoke is burning uneven, the bottom is burning faster than the top. I use matches and make sure the whole end is a red hot cherry. I had this problem when I was smoking those left handed cigars in college, (if you know what I mean) but the solution was wetting the faster burning side.

I ordered the Cigar International Weekly Special (20 cigars for 29.95 how could I not?) And a brown bag special (19.95) for a total of fifty some odd dollars, I hope I didn't over pay on my tiny budget...

Whats the deal with Cigar Aficionado? I read one of the magazines and they seem to push the idea that people that smoke cigars are multi-billionaires...? I don't really relate to the magazine...anything else out there for us "normal" people?

I'm sure I left something out in my rambling-

Thanks guys,

Cameron

 

[BGarv3]

I will try to help you out a little here but being a newb you may get better advice as others get into your thread...

I have tried but a Punch cutter and Gulitine(sp?) type cutters and I prefer the latter of the two. From what I have read it come down to a personal preference. Try going to your local smoke shop chances are they will have a couple inexpensive choices for both types. Pick one of each up and puff up.

The burning problem, I had this too when I first started with the nice smokes and after searching I found as article somewhere that rotating the cigar more often would allow a more even burn. This made sense to me after a little thought as the smoke 'exits' the cigar on the lit end from the top choking off the oxygen. So the bottom having more oxygen will burn faster and rotating the cigar a little more allows for even burn. You know...that really made sense in my head but looks strange typed out I hope you get the idea.

The pricing on smokes from anywhere comes down to your own budget and taste. I am with you with the magazine you mentioned, it seems a little over the top for me being I can't afford the super high end sticks too often, but honestly this can be a very expensive habit. I had to start off very slowly and my taste have thus far grown with my ability to afford more expensive smokes.

Try out the Newbie Sampler Thread next time your budget allows. This is by far where you are going to get your best deal. Enjoy your smokes!

Edited to add: Look for Smoke Magazine, it might be a little closer to what you are looking for. I believe the last one I had was free at the local Smoke shop with any purchase.

 

[atuck]

Go to the Newbie Info on this Page and you will learn alot.

 

[Blue Dragon]

I appoligize for how this is written, I have so many things to ask so everything may run together.

I finally got a humidor and ordered a sampler of Gurka's. I have never had such a wonderful smoke, I had a Gurka Churchill (HUGE) with a spiral wrap that I cannot find another one. (if you know what it is please post it has been my favorite so far)

[snapback]221911[/snapback]​

Well, I was trying to not lead you to the crack right away, but found it easiest there. The Gurkhas you are looking for are probably these. At least that is my best guess.

But search the site, there is a ton of info here and the search feature is very helpful. Also, fill out your profile and give a little intro in the Lobby if you haven't done so yet.

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

- C

 

[morenoloco]

I appoligize for how this is written, I have so many things to ask so everything may run together.

I finally got a humidor and ordered a sampler of Gurka's.  I have never had such a wonderful smoke, I had a Gurka Churchill (HUGE) with a spiral wrap that I cannot find another one. (if you know what it is please post it has been my favorite so far)

[snapback]221911[/snapback]​

Well, I was trying to not lead you to the crack right away, but found it easiest there. The Gurkhas you are looking for are probably these. At least that is my best guess.

But search the site, there is a ton of info here and the search feature is very helpful. Also, fill out your profile and give a little intro in the Lobby if you haven't done so yet.

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

- C

[snapback]221922[/snapback]​

No need to apologize for asking questions... That's how we learn...

I remember asking my friend Bill about 5 years ago what ISOM meant...

Did you wet down the cedar lining of your humidor? If so, that might be the problem with one side burning slower. Rotate the cigars "slowly and over months" and they should gradually gain their consistency back. Don't rush it... let it happen over a long period of time...

And listen to others input as well... My opinion is but one of many...

 

[BGarv3]

I went back and found a resource that I lived by until I found this great group of folks around here. It really helped me get going in the right direction! Here is the link:

http://cigars.about.com/od/gettingstarted/

 

[Neuromancer]

I appoligize for how this is written, I have so many things to ask so everything may run together.

I finally got a humidor and ordered a sampler of Gurka's.  I have never had such a wonderful smoke, I had a Gurka Churchill (HUGE) with a spiral wrap that I cannot find another one. (if you know what it is please post it has been my favorite so far)

[snapback]221911[/snapback]​

Well, I was trying to not lead you to the crack right away, but found it easiest there. The Gurkhas you are looking for are probably these. At least that is my best guess.

But search the site, there is a ton of info here and the search feature is very helpful. Also, fill out your profile and give a little intro in the Lobby if you haven't done so yet.

Hope you enjoy your stay here.

- C

[snapback]221922[/snapback]​

Oh yeah, right...not lead him to the crack? And you give him a link for Cbid right off the bat? You're a regular candyman, you are, BD......Cameron, be afraid...be very afraid...I musta dropped $400+ in the last 2 weeks on that site...the devil runs that site...jimmeny...I hope this guy isn't some kinda ultra-religious as I probably scared the bejeezus out of him now...he's gonna flee this site proclaiming we're all Satanists, smoking some kinda devil-weed...

 

[Blue Dragon]

Another problem I am having is every cigar I smoke is burning uneven, the bottom is burning faster than the top. I use matches and make sure the whole end is a red hot cherry. I had this problem when I was smoking those left handed cigars in college, (if you know what I mean) but the solution was wetting the faster burning side.

[snapback]221911[/snapback]​

Yea, I found that out too. I figure the wrappers are much thicker than a little zig zag, so wetting it just doesn't work very well. One useful little trick I read here was to let the running side be on top and the trailing side be on bottom, and pretty soon they start to catch up. Seems kinda backwards, but it works.

But Neuro is on the right track about preventing it. If you don't want it to happen in the future, a humidor is the best way to go. Make sure you cure it for a couple days before you start using it or it will be all over the map. Then let cigars you purchase sit in there for a while to get to a stable humidification level (level isn't the right word .... ), like a week or so. That will help in the long run too, or lack there of.

Well... I am finally off work .... so I have a Gurkha w/ my name on it as well.

Cheers!

- C

 

[Neuromancer]

Yea, I found that out too. I figure the wrappers are much thicker than a little zig zag, so wetting it just doesn't work very well. One useful little trick I read here was to let the running side be on top and the trailing side be on bottom, and pretty soon they start to catch up. Seems kinda backwards, but it works.

But Neuro is on the right track about preventing it. If you don't want it to happen in the future, a humidor is the best way to go. Make sure you cure it for a couple days before you start using it or it will be all over the map. Then let cigars you purchase sit in there for a while to get to a stable humidification level (level isn't the right word .... ), like a week or so. That will help in the long run too, or lack there of. 

Well... I am finally off work .... so I have a Gurkha w/ my name on it as well.

Cheers!

- C

[snapback]221935[/snapback]​

I think it was BGarv3 that was answering as to the uneven burning issue...don't want to take credit where credit isn't due, but will always grab it if it is mine...I'm the one that admonished you for being a pusher......see, he doesn't let you know, but he gets a kick-back from Cbid for everything you buy there, so he's just bound and determined to drag you, kicking and screaming all the way, to the Cbid site (not really!)...and down the slope we go...have a good day at work, BD...:thumbs:

 

[Jeffro600]

A little of my experience....

For cutting, a cheapo guilotine works just fine as long as their SHARP! When they get dull, and you will know when they are...just toss em and buy another cheap pair. Their available from almost any smoke shop for a couple dollars at the most. I dont bother with high dollar cutters as the cheap ones work just as well and dont put a huge dent in your wallet when it comes time to chuck em. Ive got a drawer full of about 20-30 of them...i use each one in turn for approx. 30-50 cigars, then toss em....rather be on the safe side than risk ruining the wrapper on a high dollar cigar. Punch cutters i dont particularly like as they seem to cause tar build-up and a hot draw on occasion...some people swear by them and they arent as hard to get a good cut and distroy your wrapper.

For lighting....

Go get yourself a good torch lighter. Matches are almost impossible to get a good initial light with...and usually takes 2-3 sometimes even 4 or more matches to get it lit properly. With a torch, you can hold it on one hand, your lighter in the other and gently toast it till it starts to cherry over. They dont impart any funky tastes, let you aim the flame where you want it to go and are pretty much fool-proof to use.

For those burn issues....

ROTATE!!! Ive found the number one issue with new cigar smokers that are getting burning issues is that they are holding the cigar in the same place during the entire burn. Rotate your cigar about a 1/4 turn once a minute or so. If you notice one end is slowing on the burn, place the slower burning end torward the ground. It allows for fresh air to get to it and assist in burning. Some cigars are just stubborn and wont burn properly to save your life...your torch lighter will come in handy here. Just give it a gentle rub with the flame until it starts to catch up to the faster burning side...usually this is all thats needed to correct the burn. Smoking outside will often cause a whole sort of problems...especially if its windy. Best thing to do is stay out of the wind as much as possible and keep that cigar rotating. When all else fails, try a different humidity level. Some cigars like more humidity to burn properly, some like less....thats part of the fun in smoking cigars is experimenting and trying different things.