Cigar Tools?

[glezga]

Ok, even though im still only averaging 1 or 2 cigars a month (hope this changes with the weather) im always developing my interest and learning about cigars, plus im out a small fortune so declaring myself an aficionado.

a recently rare chance to enjoy a cigar went wrong, the draw was tight and it started raining. so im standing in the rain and may as well have been sucking on a banana. all i had to try fix this was a long wooden cocktail stick type thing. it worked - a bit, but just not good enough and the experience was ruined. i cut the cigar and tubed it - cracked and stinks!


i did notice the cigar was a bit lumpy compared to others and done the ritual roll and squeeze etc. this cigar was also stored in the humi tubed - i mix them tubed and untubed to learn the difference by experience etc.


any tips?

• i use a punch 100% of the time, have a cutter but not tried a V cutter - any good ones i should consider?
• what spike should i buy, seen 3 nice ones but pricey and 2 are only sold in the US? plus ive seen vintage ones at similar prices.
• store tubed? im thinking this tubed cigar is a bit firmer than the untubed - same cigars.
• while im here asking - whats a good lighter? i just use whatever.

thanks in advance!


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[puropunch]

perfect draw is the way to go. It does seem expensive, well it is. for what it is. But boy does it do the job. I use it on pretty much every cc because i prefer a slightly looser draw, i find its easier to smoke slowly that way. But its all personal preference.

Buy one you wont regret it and to be fair it will actually save you money as it makes plugged or tight sticks 'smokeable' ..

the tool is very well made and a pleasure to use, until you punch it through the side of a stick when drunk. as i did recently dough!!!

personally i haven't found any difference between storing tubed or not, again it doesn't matter if you have a draw tool.

lighter wise i like the zippo jet inserts because i have loads of old zippos and i just like using them. I have bough quite a few lighters and many of them have failed. the zippos are great but to be fair my main go to lighter is this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Windproof-Electronic-Refillable-Blowtorch-Transparent/dp/B00R3JD1EI

Its cheap, never let me down. Holds loads of gas and has a single jet. The best in my opinion its a lot more precise than the triple or even double jets i have bought..single jet all the way for me

zippo insert for reference:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INSERT-FOR-ZIPPO-Z-PLUS-FOR-LIGHTERS-GASOLINE-GAS-FIAMMA-JET-NEW-NEW/173264416206?hash=item28575d2dce:g:enEAAOSwPhdVTHqi

[ha_banos]

Yup. PerfecDraw.

I like the bigger 4 jet lighters!

Also like soft flame.

But I have been lucky not to have had more than a few truly plugged CC in 15 years. A handful more too tight. Although I do favour a tighter draw.

[glezga]

Thanks guys, ordered the perfecdraw and im 99% sure i have a jet insert knocking about somewhere!

[Stevieboy]

I love PerfectDraw. Yes, it's pricey but if it unplugs even three cigars, it's paid for itself.