My experience for how to survive as beginner

[aracos]

Spend the $35 for the palio, it is more than worth it... A good cutter is a "NEED" not an option...
Cooler is the way to go for a budget approach...
CheapHumidors is good so is BarginHumidors.com , look for the seconds or imperfects area for deals...
While you can find some deals on places like CI, Famous, and others, you get better service and overall exp from folk like Atlantic, TBS-Cigars, Silo, Leaf & Ale, CordovaCigars, ect...

[Kneo]

Great information. Thank you for posting this

[Rolando]

Meh. I am not going to suggest anyone buy a cooler when they can have a nice looking humidor instead.

I have noticed that prices on humis are much less after father's day and before the the Christmas buying season.

[Cigarin-Martin]

If you come up wi this as a newbie, what you gonna be like after 6 months bro! Just remember to enjoy the journey

[Fortune500]

Great thread, and a wonderful contribution to the forum.

What I would add is this: A cutter is nice, but it can be a "delayed" purchase. The cheapies can work but need replaced often. A good cutter is essential eventually, but can be put off while you acquire the other necessities. This hobby does have a semi-high cost of entry, so anything that can help spread that out might be nice for newbies.

My other tip would be "Don't be in a rush to acquire cigars"

When I first got my humidor, I wanted it full, so I bought some really inexpensive bundles of cigars because they seemed like a good value. There's a reason they call it a slope... the quantity will come and be more than you ever imagine at this point, so there's no need to buy bad sticks you're going to outgrow.

I've got a stash of 1876 Reserves that I have relegated to strictly yard gars that will take me years to get through, and just eat space that could now be holding a better stick.

[Rolando]

I disagree. If you have a big ring gauge those single blade cutters can really butcher the cigar. For the small ones sure the freebie/cheapie cutters are fine.

[Fortune500]

Originally Posted by Rolando

I disagree. If you have a big ring gauge those single blade cutters can really butcher the cigar. For the small ones sure the freebie/cheapie cutters are fine.

That's a good point about ring gauge I hadn't considered.

[oldforge]

Originally Posted by Rolando

I disagree. If you have a big ring gauge those single blade cutters can really butcher the cigar. For the small ones sure the freebie/cheapie cutters are fine.

Yeah, we all had to learn that one the hard way.

Lately I have been punch cutting the big ring smokes and haven't had any problems with tar build up. (However, I do tend to favor well-aged smokes, so that may be a factor.)

[Rolando]

I really should get a punch and try it at some point just to see the difference.

[protease]

Originally Posted by Rolando

I really should get a punch and try it at some point just to see the difference.

Thanks all bros! However, I try to update my post with your suggestion. It looks like the system did not allow me do that. What's wrong?

[mikeyj23]

Originally Posted by protease

Thanks all bros! However, I try to update my post with your suggestion. It looks like the system did not allow me do that. What's wrong?

You have a limited amount of time to edit your post after you originally post it. If you really want it edited, send your revisions to a Moderator and he can update the post for you.

[stfoley]

As a note, my colibri was easily fixed using a nail...it turns out there was some flash on the end of one of the sections of internal metal tubing (flash is usually caused in the cutting process)...so I just used a nail to fold it out of the way of the gas and the sputtering stopped. What I just said will make sense if you've ever taken a jet lighter apart.

By the way, don't go disassembling your lighter unless you are willing to break it....I only did it because I was about to throw the thing out on the highway to see how many cars it takes to turn it into a pancake.

Honestly, that shouldn't have happened on something as mechanically basic as a lighter (it's a couple of valves, a hose, a secondary tube/jet and a piezoelectric assembly..piezoelectric units are found even in $2 electric disposables, and for the most part all work the same).

The Ronson is your best bet price to performance wise. The Colibri is the nicer looking lighter, but the Ronson performs, and that's what matters.

edit: if you must have a Colibri, one tip....push the button slowly, this reduces misfires significantly.

[orca99usa]

[SIZE=3] There are sooooo many negative reviews for (www.thompsoncigar.com). As I never tried there, thus I can not tell you what the real feeling is.

The problem with Thompson isn't so much with their products or prices. The problem is that they do very aggressive telemarketing, almost to the point that it becomes harassment. Their people are very well schooled in the "don't give the customer the chance to say no" method. You have to be rude to these people (which I am not usually inclined to do) to get rid of them, and they still call you every day for weeks.

I don't know about you, but nobody has ever badgered me into buying anything from them.
[/SIZE]

[stfoley]

Originally Posted by orca99usa

The problem with Thompson isn't so much with their products or prices. The problem is that they do very aggressive telemarketing, almost to the point that it becomes harassment. Their people are very well schooled in the "don't give the customer the chance to say no" method. You have to be rude to these people (which I am not usually inclined to do) to get rid of them, and they still call you every day for weeks.

I don't know about you, but nobody has ever badgered me into buying anything from them.
[/size]

That kind of reputation is the kind that destroys a company. How are they even in business?

Really, I hate telemarketing with a passion...if I'm interested in goods, I'll seek them out....shoving info down my eyeballs/ears/nose/etc just lets me know they think of me as a living wallet and not a valued customer.

As for being rude....nope, but I do try to sell things to them. Last time a telemarketer called, I tried to sell them a very nice slightly used doorstop for 3 easy payments of 34.95 plus shipping and handling. Sometimes humor gets the point across the best.

[lightning9191]

Originally Posted by stfoley

As for being rude....nope, but I do try to sell things to them. Last time a telemarketer called, I tried to sell them a very nice slightly used doorstop for 3 easy payments of 34.95 plus shipping and handling. Sometimes humor gets the point across the best.

I like the sound of that method....I'll try that next time a telemarketer calls.