I'm not sure that makes me a newbie....been enjoying light'n 'em up for about 5 years. Just need the spring weather here in MA. to smoke'em outside. Been lurking and reading the posts...best advice is the tuppadore...I was looking for another humi, with all my new gars.

Couple of questions...what makes an evenly lit cigar burn on one side faster?? It makes it difficult to smoke while driving.
Also, do you prefer a v-cut or do you snip the entire end?

Welcome Madtom. X

Snip for me. A V-cut or punch concentrates the smoke too much.

Sometimes the burn will follow a vein in the wrapper or soft spot (uneven roll) in the filler/binder.

Welcome.

DED

Another reason, for an uneven burn could be too much humidity. Different cigars smoke better at different humidity levels. For example, I find Perdomo Reserve maddies smoke much better between 60%-65% R.H. Where a C.Torano Signature, may tolerate a slightly higher humidty level, and still keep a razor sharp burn.
I have found ISOMs also burn better, and I have less "Tough Draws", at around 65% RH.
By The Way,
Welcome to the boards.
Later
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)
P.S. I usually Snip, but have been known to vcut every once in awhile. But I double Cut, into an X with the vcutter.

madurotom- newbies always welcome!

if your getting an uneven burn smoke the
stick with the quicker burning side on the
top as you hold it.. (does that make sense?)

defies logic in my mind but it works..

cayman

I have problems with burning on one side more than the other in the car if I don't turn the cigar. The airflow through the car can accelerate the burn on one side or another.

Sounds like an airflow problem. I know if I'm puffing on a cigar too fast, it has a tendency to burn faster along the top.

Doug

I have rolled the cigar in the past and will now try keeping the faster burn side up. I have been clipping more often, I think it does give a better draw.
Thanks all!

Welcome madurotom --- the term 'newbie' refers to someone new to a forum, not necessarily someone new to cigars ... and after a year here, that drops off. Over at CF you are considered a newbie until you pass the two year mark!

Also, tunneling can occur from improper lighting, or if the wrapper is moist and the filler & binder are too dry. You will also notice a sudden harshness to the smoke. To prevent tunneling, be sure the wrapper is properly lit and the cigar is producing ash evenly across the entire foot.

Try doing a few 'search the boards' with a different combination of key words, or just one word. Many of the topics that those new to CB like to ask about have often been discussed here hundreds of times, and you will find a lot of great info ...

welcome tom! I like the snip, but have also known to go with a fingernail punch - as a wise man once said - it's just tobacco... what kind of gars do you prefer?

Welcome aboard MadTommy!!!

Cut the whole top, and let the favor in baby!!!

PT 🙂

Welcome aboard tom. I prefer the v-cut, but I snip or punch too, depending on the cigar and the situation.

I have been a punch advocate for a long time but I think the punch does a few things I don't like. First as someone said, it concentrates the draw not always a good thing. I have also noticed if you are not careful or you have a dull punch cutter you can crack the wrapper. I have never tried the "V" cut. Maybe I need to bid on a cutter oh boy!

welcome aboard!

Welcome Tom! Personally I use the snip more often than not. The V-cut works good to....I have a punch on my keychain...just in case. Though I have been known to use my thumbnail as well! LOL

Dave

Madurotom - Welcome aboard. If you found this place I hope your credit card has some room left. 🙂

I prefer the V-Cut, though I use my Swiss Army Knife cigar cutter quite a bit ...

... I've noticed also, that many people think that a V-Cut is close to a punch cut in reducing (and concentrating) the smoke. But, one has to keep in mind, that the V-Cut, depending on the brand and how deep the cut is ... is no different, surface wise, than a straight cut.

Welcome, madurotom. Chuckler said it for me.

Some light reading.

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/forum/forum.cfm?action=list&forumID=1&messageDisplay=0000000020890 

As to what has been said here, it's mostly accurate as far as it goes. I use a Swiss army Knife cutter (SAK) and a double guillotine cutter, a punch (if I could only invent one that was durable AND didn't have a half that you always lose!) and depending on the situation, I'll say they are ALL the best. A punch DOES concentrate the smoke, which is not a bad thing if you are smoking a milder gar and want to strengthen the taste up a tad. A good cut will give you TONS of creamy smoke pouring forth from a good cigar, and not restrict it in the least, and a punch is not even an option, (nor is a 'V' cut I beleive) on a Torp, although you also run across fans of the "****** Cut" on Torps. So it would be foolish to try to stick with just one method, or even try to have a favorite, except for a specific method on a specific Cigar/shape/size combo! I'm sure that I have now thouroghly confused you, so I'l now just say Welcome!

What EssThree said. I almost always use a punch because I like big ring-guage cigars. Problem is, finding a sharp one and keeping it sharp. Since I like to keep my cigars a little on the dry side I've found the punch can easily crack the wrapper if it isn't razor sharp. Also, as has been mentioned I've yet to find a stand-alone punch that I can consistently keep the two halves together. For that reason I try to find a lighter with a sharp, flip-down punch. I've heard that Xtar makes a good, heavy stand-alone punch but haven't seen one for sale so far.........ok, ok, I'm rambling and I know it. Just my thoughts...........

BTW, welcome aboard, and you have my sincere condolences........