Accessorize a newbie

TheShaun

I want to start being more serious about smoking cigars. Have some on hand rather that buy a single when I'm in the mood, keep a journal of what I've smoked, etc. What accessories will I need? A humidor: Thinking up to 50 count in size. Do I buy one with built in analog hygrometer or a plain one and buy a digital hygrometer? Lighter: Butane I understand is best. Do I need to spend $50 or will a $10 one off ebay do the trick? Am I missing anything else? Cutter? S.

TheShaun

How do I add spaces in my post, so that it's not all one paragraph????

T. Gervais

For humidors all you really need to look for is a nice tight seal and make sure its lined with spanish cedar. A quality cutter is very important and unless you want to use matches, a nice butane torch lighter is necessary as well. You don't have to spend a fortune but you also don't want to be cheap about it. Xikar makes nice cutters and lighters

Scrambler

alienmisprint

I have a Xikar lighter and a Colibri, the Xikar was around $25, the Colibri was about $8, both work well. As far as cutters, the Xikar Mean Sardine is around $10 and is a very good cutter, it is all I use unless I want to use a punch for that cigar. As far as the humi, if you are thinking 50, go for a 150, seriously man. You are gonna be suprised at how fast you outgrow the humi. I also highly suggest getting a digital hygrometer, like Scrambler said, you can get a good one for around $20.

TheShaun

thanks for the replies. Keep them coming.

laker1963

YankeeMan

4bob4

Hey Shaun. As everyone has said get a bigger humi than you think you'll need. A tight seal and quality workmanship count for more than how it looks on the outside. Heartfelt beads are great for humidity control is almost a set it and forget it kind of deal. I just got a cutter and lighter (with a punch attached to it) from my local B&M want to say together they cost about 30 and I haven't had a problem with either yet. Another thing, If you decide to use the heartfelt beads get about twice as much as they say you need (they have a calculator based on interior dimensions) to have extra moisturizing capacity (means less filling of the beads)

TheShaun

Wow. Can't believe I forgot about humidity control. Now if I can only get the line break thing to work....

TheShaun

I looked up the heartfelt beads. There a three different humidity percentages. 60, 65, 70. how do I know what is optimal?

Renaissance_Man

Renaissance_Man

TheShaun:

I looked up the heartfelt beads. There a three different humidity percentages. 60, 65, 70. how do I know what is optimal?

Get the 70 - they will prolly not keep it exactly at seventy anyway - a little below...

4bob4

bibby

leonard

Get the 65% beads. Very few burn issues and cigars taste better.(IMO) Get a Ronson Jet light from Wally world for $2.95. Like every else says, what ever size humi you think you need, triple it.

TheShaun

laker1963