Hello Esteemed Aficionados. I read all your posts w/great interest. As a new cigar smoker, I recently bought what I thought was too big of a humidor....within weeks, I have outgrown this 100 capacity humidor. And I am still shopping for cigars!!I do have a couple of questions. First, what is the best way to cut a cigar with a ring gauge over 52. I currently have a xicar x1 for all else. Next, I hear people writing about HERF. What does this stand for and for all those in California, Bay Area, do we have such a get together around here? Thanks in advance.

Welcome!

A herf is an organized cigar get together. It could be vendor or shop sponsored. Sometimes it's just a group of guys meeting to talk and smoke.

Some on here go on about the Swiss Army Knife that has a cutter on it. I'm a Xikar man! If I can't use my Xi2, then I'm using my 007 punch! I've also got a V-cutter that works great on box-pressed cigars.

100+...Wow! All I know is that the more I smoke, the more they make!

Welcome shepherd...

As for your question on cutting larger ring cigars, I have found a punch to be the best bet. The only thing is to be careful when you cut the cigar. It doesn't take much to rip or tear the head, so be careful.

As for the herf... do a search of the word on this board and you'll understand.

Again, welcome aboard.
M

A punch is the way to go on big ring gauge cigars. I use a Xicar punch. Very Nice! Retails for around $30.00.

swiss army knife makes the cleanest cut for me on the larger ring gauge cigars.
besides, washed my Xikar once, never been able to use it again.

Slim lives in the area...

Punch (Rare Corojo)

I live in SF, where are you at?

Welcome!
Since using my SAK cutter, I've never looked back. I do keep my Prometheus guillotine around as a backup.

Hello one and all, thanks for all your responses. I'll look for a good punch (xikar?). Mr. Mean, I thought xikar gave a lifetime warranty on their products. Cwilhelm, I am in the Oakand/Alameda area, but I work in S.F. Here's what I am currently holding in my humidor:
Leon Jimenez, La Aurora, both belicoso. Partagas Black Label Magnifico, Punch Gran Cru Britania, Sancho Panza Dulcinea and Maria Mancini Magic Mountain. I look forward to reading and learing more on this board.

Shepherd ... I pass your house on my way to work in The City, then again on my way home ... what part of The City do you work in and what time of day do you finish work?

And yes ... we HAVE had some get-togethers (Herfs) in this area ... too bad you didn't make the last ones, but you're gonna be in time for the next ...

Shepherd there is a monthly HERF in the eastbay the first Sunday each month at a restaurant called Okanes in San Ramon which means the next one is this Sunday march 2nd at 11am we meet for brunch and cigars and ??? email me at gr8stag at aol dot com for more info. SteveS and ChrisW will probably show as well. Mark

Welcome Shepherd...

How 'bout tryin' a V-cutter on the larger ring??

Low

Hello Everyone again. SteveS, I work in the financial district and my hours are flexible. Gr8stag, I know where o'kanes is in San Ramon. I have eaten, drank and smoked in there before. A long time ago, I worked in San Ramon for a while. I'll do my very best to be there this Sunday!!!

shepherd1

send me your snailer and i'll send you one.

i use a punch or cut the end on a bias, just like my rabbi did.

[email protected]

My preferred method of dealing with the larger

ring gauges is with a MACHETE. Sure I screw up the

occasional stogie but combined with a nice long

relaxing smoke it helps "soothe the savage beast"

DOES ANYONE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT???

Shepherd ...

Sorry you weren't able to make our little get-together today ... CWilhelmi and I meet once in a while for an after-work smoke in The City ... drop me a note so I have your e-mail addy and we'll let you know the next time that happens ... with a little luck, you'll be able to join us ...

to write me, copy and paste all of the below into the "to" space, then substitute appropriately for (at) and (dot)

fromsteves(at)hotmail(dot)com