My experience for how to survive as beginner

[protease]

[SIZE=3]I do not have too much money to begin with. Thus, I go for a budget way.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3](1) First thing you need is get some good quality sticks. Following links are trusted place to go[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] www.cigar.com[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] www.cigarbid.com[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] www.cigarsinternational.com[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] www.famous-smoke.com[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] www.jrcigars.com [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] Before you developed certain taste, keep away from buy a box; no matter how attractive it is. Recently, I got 30 sticks Cohiba, which is definitely good brand. However, it tasted so strong and harsh, which made me had to say NO to them. Now, I plan to send them out as gift for my friends.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3](2) Humidor, as an essential stuff, you need a qualified one. The most common question will be how large humidor I need. Personally, I would say as you are a beginner, perform like a beginner. 25~50 capacity humidor could be the best choice at beginning. You will not only have one humidor in your life. In addition, with you smoking experience increasing, you will know more about it, such as which brand you need and which size is good for you. Even you are going to buy a larger one later; you still need the smaller one as your quarantine box to keep the tobacco beetles away. It also can be the back up for the larger one. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] www.cigarsinternational.com is the place you may consider for your first humidor. The only reason is they sell quality cheap products. I compared several website, such as CI, Cigar and JRcigar. Their price is higher than cheaphumidor.com[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]In addition, if you have enough money to upgrade the hygrometer from analog to digital, which is fine, but keep in mind you can buy a much cheaper one in Walmart between 7 to 10 dollar.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]If you are not hurry for a humidor, cigarbid, is another place to get one.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3](3) Cutters, a regular scissors will do the work. In addition, there are lots of samplers providing cutters and thus, you may choose the combo instead. I will avoid spend $50 for Xikar, as I do care to put the money for the sticks.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3](4) Ligher, only need the good stuff to work. Ronson was reviewed as best lighter in Jungle by many topics. Just go to Walmart and spend no more than $3 for the Ronson JetLite butane torch lighter, a perfect lighter made in China. It never fails. Of course, do not forget to refill! [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The website (http://www.ronsonstore.com/jetLite.aspx) also sells the lighter, but much more expensive.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]There is couple topics talking about the how poor Colibri fire bird is. However, it is really depends. If you want to try and prove other people right nor not, it is fine for me. If $3 can do the job for a beginner, why pay $20?[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3](5) Some devil site you need to pay attention. [/SIZE]
[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. (Actually, I nearly placed an order. However, I changed my mind right after reading the post in Jungle!). The website has some incredible combo deal, before placing the order, please think for a second, even you are really living in Jungle for a long time.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Thanks for your reading till here. As this is my some personal opinions and you may shit on it, I hope people can keep adding their idea for how to survive as beginner here[/SIZE]!

[CohibaMan]

Great article, a couple links I haven't come across yet. Thanks!

[protease]

Originally Posted by CohibaMan

Great article, a couple links I haven't come across yet. Thanks!

Newbies for newbies

[Emjaysmash]

Great article, thanks for all the help!

[awsmith4]

Great article but go ahead and buy a cooler and beads

[protease]

Originally Posted by awsmith4

Great article but go ahead and buy a cooler and beads

Forget that parts. I use my Haier as cooler. Get some free beads from cigar.com

[mikeyj23]

Originally Posted by protease

...[SIZE=3]It also can be the back up for the larger one. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] www.cigarsinternational.com is the place you may consider for your first humidor. The only reason is they sell quality cheap products. I compared several website, such as CI, Cigar and JRcigar. Their price is higher than cheaphumidor.com[/SIZE]...

perhaps you meant www.cheaphumidors.com instead of www.cigarsinternational.com and cheaphumidor.com?

I don't personally believe scissors are a suitable choice for cutting a cigar, but that probably makes me a snob. The "devil site" is www.cigarbid.com, it's not a generic term for any cigar selling website. I'd consider Thompson's straight from the devil, but perhaps it should have its own private term. I'd also not waste my money on a 25-50ct humi when you can get completely set up with a cooler (300+ct) for the same price. Just my

[seegarfan]

Some good info.........but I'll throw in my

After you ruin a few sticks, investing in a decent cutter will be money well spent. My local B/M sell a nice small plastic scissor cutter for $5.00 that does a surprising good job......they eventually get dull, but they will cut a lot of sticks before that happens......just stay away from single blade cutters, IMHO.

After setting up numerous coolers, I would have to agree, a cooler, some beads and a good digital hygrometer ( I prefer the type that Heartfelt sells for around $20.00 because they can be recalibrated) beats a 20-50 count desktop, hands down. Throw away any analog hygrometers, they are worthless, IMHO.

Just my thoughts.....and Oh yeah, if money is tight, you might want to stay away from cbid, unless you have tremendous self control......my credit card bill from last months cbid purchases went over $800.00 - OUCH!

Anyway, thanks for the post and smoke on bro!

Mark

[Fritz]

Thank you so much for this! I am pretty new to all of this and those links really helped me a lot!

[bobarian]

I would consider spending $35 for a basic black Palio. One of the best investments you can make and the last cutter you will ever need.
Some other top vendors.
cigarmony.com-accessories
heartfeltindustries.com-beads
taboocigars.com-cigars and stuff
atlanticcigars.com-everything

[Homebrewer]

My : avoid those $7 Walmart Hygrometers. They can be WAY off..

[foureyedgeek]

Thanks for the post, some good info in there. The replies after the initial post are helpful as well.

[Texan in Mexico]

[QUOTE=bobarian;1837585]I would consider spending $35 for a basic black Palio. One of the best investments you can make and the last cutter you will ever need.

I have become alot more frugal as I have gotten older and Bob is spot on here - spend the money on a nice Palio and as long as you dont lose it you are set for many, many years. In the long run it is a better investment than buying 3 or 4 cheapies a year.

[Rolando]

IMO if you can't afford at least a 100-125 ct do alternative storage until you can afford it. Try to get a humidor that others have used successfully for a few years. You don't want to be fighting with your humidor. Most likely it will come with a humidification device and an analog hygrometer. Beads and digital hygrometers may be better but many of us used foam humidifiers and analog hygrometers for YEARS and YEARS with little to no problems. You don't have to feel like you are doing it wrong because you haven't got the latest and greatest. It will be fine. Just ignore the bead police here and spend the money on cigars. Eventually you will probably upgrade but you don't have to be in any hurry.

Cutting is a crucial part of the experience. Get a decent double blade cutter. It will last for quite some time.

[krisko]

Originally Posted by awsmith4

Great article but go ahead and buy a cooler and beads

Ding ding ding! And don't try CCs until the divorce is final or the rich uncle dies.