Question on measuring cigars

[Gonz]

What's the best method for measuring the ring gauge and length of a cigar?

I have a cheap paper/cardboard device that was included in a Cigar Afficianado book I bought a while back, and I was wondering specifically about the ring gauge.
The device I have basically has differant holes for each size, but the sizes are so close, do I use the size that I can just barely (with some pressure) fit over the cigar (which I worry will ruin the wrap), or do I use the next size up, which fits over easily and not too snug?

I'm trying to measure up some ISOM's to have another reason to believe they are authentic.

Thanks!

 

[YelloCello]

Measuring ring guage is tough. Any given ring guage for any given cigar is an "average" not only from cigar to cigar but along the cigar itself. When looking at cigars to determine their authenticity, I would be very reticent to use ring guage as a factor unless I had known legitimate example to use as a guide for what the correct gauge should be. I have always found length to be a much more useful tool for assessing legitimacy. Fakes always seem to be either a little too short or a little too long.

 

[mrjinglesusa]

Send the questionable ISOMs to me and will determine their authenticity for you. To answer your question, just use the one that the cigar will barely fit through. This should give you a good idea of the ring gauge (it's either that one or the next lower one). No use ruining a wrapper by forcing a cigar through a hole just to determine the ring gauge.