Post B2Dbv7ySTvCPD03B1E by Sideshow_Jane@poa.st
 (DIR) More posts by Sideshow_Jane@poa.st
 (DIR) Post #B2Bf72SaifGf82b13A by MeanwhileInOhio@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-11T20:58:36.760159Z
       
       4 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The owner of Perdomo with instructions for cutting and lighting a cigar. He's right about just shearing off the cap when cutting, and I see way too many guys cut down into the cigar. He has a little different lighting technique than I've seen in other videos, tho. Everyone toasts the foot, but other videos I've seen say to keep toasting until the cigar lights itself, that way you don't pull the hot acrid smoke through the cigar and the tobacco taste isn't affected. This approach has worked well for me.Nick Perdomo toasts the foot and then goes right for the puff and flame. I guess I'm going to have to do some comparing when the weather improves or I can make it to the cigar lounge.Another thing he recommends is to leave the band on. For 30+ years I've always taken the band off, I was taught that keeping it on was gauche, but especially recently I've seen most people leave it on. So I might start doing that. I really don't like the feel of my lips on the band so it'll depend whether my next cigar is smokable with it. I have removed the band a few times and had it tear the wrapper, which sucks, but I can't recall a cigar falling apart because of that.Tagging @jb because it's cigars, and I know he likes Perdomo, and they have a YT channel.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvzAeOb1ytY
       
 (DIR) Post #B2Bf8eJ9UJ8SniwtDk by ACL9000@poa.st
       2026-01-11T21:00:02.125051Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @MeanwhileInOhio @jb I should get into this.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2BfTzgHDcjjAYwXRY by Robert_Edwardly@poa.st
       2026-01-11T21:03:53.834008Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @MeanwhileInOhio @jb I take the band off when I get down to the band because I don't want to smoke the band, lol. But what do I know.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2Bfrm9f9y4GAY1otE by MeanwhileInOhio@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-11T21:03:45.677431Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I enjoy it, but it's pretty weather dependent around here. There's a cigar lounge a reasonable distance away now, but I'm not always willing to pay their prices unless I'm meeting someone and making an event of it.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2BhJ0hzG2Xd4ydLQO by Sideshow_Jane@poa.st
       2026-01-11T21:04:22.902253Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @MeanwhileInOhio @jb Btw, I use a V cutter - works great.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2BhTAus9zBRdNVWyW by jb@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-11T21:26:09.509646Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       just saw this thread Effortpoast later For now whatever results in an enjoyable smoke is in fact the correct technique 😉
       
 (DIR) Post #B2BiESmPYsYgeC6Aqm by CoQ_10@poa.st
       2026-01-11T21:34:41.718483Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @MeanwhileInOhio @jb @ACL9000 Can you say where that is located?
       
 (DIR) Post #B2C1S6Hnt5T04FzxXE by jb@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-12T01:10:03.891481Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       My opinions only, YMMV Cigar lounges - if they let you bring your own cigars then you’re just paying for a cocktail, which isn’t a bad deal in exchange for escaping the cold weather. I’ve heard of some charging a “cutting fee” if you bring your own sticks, but thankfully the ones near me do not. Perdomo - absolutely my favorite brand. They have the best combination of flavor, price, and build quality IMO. In an interview with Holt’s on YouTube, Nick talks about the fact that they have a machine that draw tests the cigar before they put the wrapper on. It is an extra step that pays dividends - it is extremely rare to have a Perdomo with anything other than superb construction. Having said that, there is a ridiculous number of great brands to choose from. Oliva, Brick House, and La Aroma de Cuba are among my favorites. On the topic of construction - I strongly endorse buying a PerfecDraw tool (available on Amazon). If the cigar is too tight this tool will help you fix the problem. I cannot tell you how many cigars I’ve saved with this that would otherwise have been pitched in the trash. Taking the band off… I follow Eddie Sahakian’s guidelines on this. If the band is already loose, I take it off before smoking. If not, I leave it on until the cigar burns down to the band and then remove it. The heat from the burning cigar loosens the glue and makes it easier to slowly peel the band off without tearing the wrapper. Cutters - I favor V cut or a punch because they’re idiot-proof (I am playing the role of the idiot in this scenario). If I have to use a guillotine I place it flat on a table, insert the cap end of the cigar, and cut from that position. Again, idiot proof. Some of my buddies use a guillotine with aplomb, but I’m always concerned that I’m going to mess up the cigar. Lighting techniques - I have tried the “toast until smokable” and the “lightly toast then hit it with a blowtorch”. My palate is not sensitive enough to tell any difference. I long for the day where we can all light up a quality cigar and raise a glass together. Salud!@Sideshow_Jane  @MeanwhileInOhio  @CoQ_10  @Sideshow_Jane
       
 (DIR) Post #B2C3Xibr1sM8HXBRSq by MeanwhileInOhio@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-12T01:31:45.076011Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The cigar lounge near here has a sign politely asking you to purchase a cigar if you're going to spend time there, but they do let paid members bring their own. As far as I can tell they have no enforcement for this but everyone seems cooperative, I'm sure because of the type of person drawn to the hobby. People can and do bring their own drinks of every kind and the lounge provides glasses and ice if requested. I rarely have a cigar that's too tight to draw through. My most frequent problem is a cigar that burns unevenly, sometimes badly. The video points out that's usually caused by bad construction, which tracks because I predominantly buy seconds and overruns. I can't remember the last time a named, more expensive cigar burned badly on me.I have each kind of cutter but I've settled on the flat cut. I currently have a single-torch lighter called the Firebird Fusion that's been the best lighter I've ever had, small and reliable, but it's showing its age. Not sure if I'll replace it with another or look at one with multiple torches.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2C3fmTIYQbSZn1fXs by jb@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-12T01:34:56.790761Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       > lighter I’ve got single, double, and triple torches I prefer the single best I’m less likely to accidentally scorch the wrapper while toasting and lighting
       
 (DIR) Post #B2DRgEvxKBOKuN8rfE by Sideshow_Jane@poa.st
       2026-01-12T17:35:10.452230Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @jb @MeanwhileInOhio @CoQ_10 I'm late to add in, but that's how it goes here today...I use a Dupont Big D and a Dupont Twiggy lighter, both put out an excellent wide flame and work great for anything - BUT - I also have several custom Zippos and they work just as good as the wide flame Dupont. I take the Zippo flame insert out and replace it with a Zippo butane torch insert. I use single torch inserts and they work fine for what I smoke, but you can buy doubles etc. Nothing wrong with a Zippo - I had mine engraved with 1920's car adverts.I always take the label off prior to lighting up. I accidentally ripped the wrapper on a Partagas doing that once and saved it by using Credo cigar glue (can't remember where I got it, pic attached).I have almost no issues with Partagas as far as being wrapped too tight, etc. For every hundred I might get one dud. RyJ has become a bit of a disappointment over the last few years as far as quality and I mostly gave up on those.  Oliva and Montecristo have been bulletproof for me.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2DSBbgGnlWsQxlIkS by jb@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-12T17:44:19.299707Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       > DupontToo expensive for my budget, but I’d love to have one just to flex with that “ping”. I have a zippo single jet butane insert and I really like it. All my other lighters are Xikar. > glue I got mine on Amazon… I don’t use it near as often as the PerfecDraw tool, but I have saved a couple of cigars with it > Oliva and Montecristo have been bulletproof for meI’ve had great experiences with Oliva, but Montecristo has had more tight cigars than I would expect from such a pricey brand. PerfecDraw saved me there.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2DXDo2sIibj8FCfGi by Sideshow_Jane@poa.st
       2026-01-12T18:27:29.283278Z
       
       4 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @jb Favourite Zippo, needs a polish. Guys on Etsy will engrave anything you want on them.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2DXEcnNc5W4WxLVhI by jb@nicecrew.digital
       2026-01-12T18:40:54.054132Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       wow, that is gorgeous
       
 (DIR) Post #B2DXLRY5pHcxg2Rm64 by Sideshow_Jane@poa.st
       2026-01-12T18:17:26.586855Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @jb About two years ago I had a few Montes that were tight, I think three in a row. I gave up for awhile and went back to them, no issues for a long time.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2DYuBICMIotLf8m3M by mjdigspigs@poa.st
       2026-01-12T18:59:20.169862Z
       
       2 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @Sideshow_Jane @jb I have my late Husband's the Navy gave him.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2Dbv7ySTvCPD03B1E by Sideshow_Jane@poa.st
       2026-01-12T19:13:43.881917Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @mjdigspigs @jb I have my grandfather's Zippo that his company gave him.
       
 (DIR) Post #B2DjFfcvlpEL3Giv6e by mjdigspigs@poa.st
       2026-01-12T20:29:26.872854Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       @Sideshow_Jane @jb Such treasures.