Cigar Band Question

[BBlev]

I am new to cigar smoking and tonight I was smoking a cigar and had a small problem.

I was smoking a CAO LX2 and it was excellent. I left the band on and as I got very close to the band I attempted to remove it but I was still strongly attached. As the cigar burned it became dangerously close to burning the band so I attempted to remove it. I basically had to tear the band off and ended up tear the wrapper and ruining the cigar.

Is there a technique for removing the band when the heat has not loosened the glue?

The cigar did go out about a 1/3 of the way through and I had to relight.

Being a novice would appreciate any help. Thanks

[Snake Hips]

Sometimes you just gotta wrestle it off. What I like to do in case it doesn't want to come peacefully is squeeze the band in different places all the way around the cigar to detach it from the wrapper, and when it's loose, slip it off the cigar and try to unstick it from itself later.

[Patrick B]

First off, welcome aboard and I commend your great choice of cigar! The sticky band happens from time to time and you just have to patiently work at it. The "squeeze" technique is a good one, but sometimes you just cant help but mess up a little wrapper if they got overzealous with the band glue. A little spit can usually be used to get the wrapper to stick back together long enough.

The more cigars you smoke the less you will worry about minor distractions such as burn issues or wrapper issues. To me the taste is 99% of the experience and a little flaw here and there is easily forgotten if it's a tasty stick.

[Mr.Erskine]

I go Rambo on the thing.... j/k... Usually, I work it with my fingernail until it starts to loosen. Then I give a squeeze to be sure that it isn't going to stick to the stick.... If it does, well, not much you can do except patiently and carefully pry the two apart.

[Cypress]

Tatuaje has a band that is very hard to get off. Don't get me wrong they have a great cigar but i dont care for bands i have to fight to get off.

[zitro_joe]

I will pick at it lightly, if it feels stuck to the wrapper, I lick my finger to moisten the glue. I will that that several times while smoking the stogie. Most of the time, when the cherry gets close to the band the wrapper is heated up and the glue is loosened and it easily comes off. Then there are times where it will still tear the wrapper.

[Firerat]

I use the squeeze technique and it seems to work most of the time. Also, when the cigar starts burning close to the band, the heat will often loosen the glue making it easier.

[The EVP]

I have a small pair of scissors that does the trick nicely. Since cigars get softer as they get hotter, I just wait until the tip is within a 1/4 inch of the band and cut it. The wrapper becomes a bit more flexible.

[Jack Straw]

You're not supposed to smoke the band?

[karmaz00]

welcome to puff..
90% of the time for me the heat will heat the glue up and it will slide off with no problems...the other 10% of the time, just got to wrestle it off and hoping it doesnt tare the wrapper

[ringdoc]

do most of you try to slide the band off? or do you peel it off at the glue? I always try to slide it off but resort to the peel method if I feel it will tear the wrapper
rick in kc

[DBCcigar]

Originally Posted by Cypress

Tatuaje has a band that is very hard to get off. Don't get me wrong they have a great cigar but i dont care for bands i have to fight to get off.

I've actually used a thin knife of their bands (And others) making a tiny slit, then peeling it off. I generally take the ban off prior to smoking, or atl east halfway through to avoid these problems....

[slayoner]

I usually try slip the band off unless it starts to cut into the wrapper, to loosen it i roll the cigar in my fingers holding the band, sometimes if it's really stuck, i'll hold the cigar close to the cap where there is less chance of damaging the wrapper and gently wiggle the band back and forth until it lets go and you can start to twist it off.