Another n00b intro...

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10-24-2006, 12:02 AM
Cale

Another n00b intro...

Hello all --- I am new here. I recently turned 21 and am beginning to really enjoy cigars. I currently live in California and design websites for a living. My hobbies include fishing, drinking beer, shooting pool, playing poker.

I spent most of my day off looking around for deals on Humidors and Boxes online. Luckily I found this site and realized that the guy who I was going to be buying a Humidor from on eBay was a scam and was selling fake Humidors. Anyways, I hope to stick around on this forum for a while and to learn a lot from everyone.

If you have any recommendations to me as far as good bargains on cheap but quality cigars or a humidor it would be much appreciated! As I said, I am brand new to this and don't want to spend a ton of $ just yet, but I would really like to gain some knowledge and expand my cigar collection! :smiley37:

I found these combo deals mentioned in another thread: http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/280
Please let me know if anyone disagrees on that being a good starter kit. I definitely want a quality Humidor to start off, but the better deal doesn't hurt!
10-24-2006, 01:00 AM
SmokinDVM

Welcome Cale from a fellow Californian.

That's probably an good starter kit, but if you hang out here for awhile, you're gonna need a bigger humidor.:smiley2:
10-24-2006, 02:08 AM
Cale

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokinDVM

Welcome Cale from a fellow Californian.

That's probably an good starter kit, but if you hang out here for awhile, you're gonna need a bigger humidor.:smiley2:

You are right. The more I think about it, the more I like this deal (which I didn't notice until after my original post): http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/331

Are there any good FAQ's or TIPS pages available on starting a collection (Humidor prep, how to maintain it, etc.)
10-24-2006, 02:21 AM
designwise1

Be sure to buy some Heartfelt Industries beads. And read up on coolerdors (Igloodors, frigidors, etc.). Unless you buy a 3000 count humidor or build a walk-in, you are going to run out of room. Sooner than you plan. Trust me on that. If you really like cigars, you WILL go overboard and talk yourself into buying way more than... nevermind. Forget I said all that.
Just buy some beads. But just in case -- buy more than you think you'll need. :smiley2:

Welcome to the club!!!
10-24-2006, 02:55 AM
Cale

Thanks for the reply! I took a look at the Heartfelt website because I really had no idea about these beads. So I use these INSTEAD of the humidifier?

Pretty neat!
10-24-2006, 04:11 AM
Roham

Welcome from the frigid north, Calgary Alberta!:smiley31:
10-24-2006, 04:52 AM
stjohnroe

Welcome from the UK
10-24-2006, 08:14 AM
CgarDan

Cale Welcome from NYC :smiley20:

If you want a nice sampler of cigars to get yoy started check out this link
http://www.cigarsmokers.com/t5661-ne...er-thread.html

If interested post in that thread and I will set you up with an established member on this board who will take care of you :smiley20:
10-24-2006, 08:20 AM
ashauler

Welcome from the flat-lands!!
10-24-2006, 10:51 AM
Loudpipes78

From one newb to another welcome to the board.

What do you fish for?
10-24-2006, 11:01 AM
nhcigarfan

welcome
10-24-2006, 12:24 PM
Dru Lee Parsec

Cale:

Howdy Howdy.

I just received this setup from Cuban Crafters yesterday. The humidor looks great, the hygrometer salt tested at exactly 75% and it onlytook about half a day to stabilize the humidor at between 65% and 70%.

The difference with the cigar selection for this combo deal ant the ones that you were pointing to is that these 15 cigars have a bit more variety. I did get several of the same cigar in 2 different sizes, but it you get something like the first 2 bundles you linked to I think you're in a position where "I sure hope I like this cigar, I'm getting 25 of them".

I looked at the cigar bundle packages the same way I look at a food buffet. It's not about quantity, it's about variety. :smiley2:
10-24-2006, 12:25 PM
cigar no baka

Welcome to the board, you came to the right place to learn more about cigars and the cigar life!!
10-24-2006, 12:38 PM
gary106334

Welcome Cale.:smiley41:
10-24-2006, 01:16 PM
Cale

Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome!
10-24-2006, 03:00 PM
FunkyCold5

Welcome Cale. You'll learn a lot from these guys. I did the same deal with Cuban Crafters. They have great humidors, but the cigars that come with the humidors are horrible. The only ones I liked, that are decent are the Arte Cubanos Toros. That's about it, the rest I just hand out to my friends.

Andrew
10-24-2006, 04:16 PM
Cale

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyCold5

but the cigars that come with the humidors are horrible. The only ones I liked, that are decent are the Arte Cubanos Toros.

Glad you mentioned that. I thought they might be junk since they are almost like freebies. Here is my final order:
http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/260
http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/289

I'm excited!
10-25-2006, 09:15 AM
Loudpipes78

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cale

Glad you mentioned that. I thought they might be junk since they are almost like freebies. Here is my final order:
http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/260
http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/289

I'm excited!

Now get yer butt over to http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/Beads.htm and pick up some beads.

I just split an order with Guado for the 65% ones and so far they seem to be working perfect... I just need to get a digi hygro now... friggin' analog ones. BOOOO!
10-25-2006, 01:20 PM
sprangalang

Welcome from Chicago. I lived in California for most of my life. Why did I move to Illinois?

Ditto on the beads.

:smiley1:
10-25-2006, 01:26 PM
Cale

I'll get the beads ASAP! Which are the best, 65%?
10-25-2006, 01:29 PM
designwise1

Yes. The 65% beads work best for most people. The 'experts' seem to think they age better and are easier to light and keep lit when kept at 65 RH.
They just require a few squirts of distilled water about once a month. (My location anyway--your local conditions may require a less or more frequent adjusting of moisture).
Good luck!
10-25-2006, 01:43 PM
Loudpipes78

We went with the 65%.

I was really impressed I think I ordered them Tuesday and got them on Saturday. They ship from Nevada, I'm in Orlando.

Once you get the humi setup and stable I'd suggest getting in on the newbie sampler that's going on, I should be getting my package Friday. :smiley20:
10-25-2006, 02:31 PM
lrharry29

Welcome from yet another Californian. These guys are full of all sorts of knowledge.
10-25-2006, 03:59 PM
Dru Lee Parsec

Cale:

It looks like you're going to get a lot of the same cigars I got in my Cuban Crafter sampler (Although your humidor is nicer).

Tell ya what, when you get your's in the mail let's compare what we have. Then let's both smoke the same one and both do a review of the Cuban Crafters cigar from a newbie's perspective.

I already did one "Newbie Review". I think it's cool idea for all the new folks to get a point of view from other folks who havn't developed the cigars lovers palette yet.
10-25-2006, 04:55 PM
Loudpipes78

That is an awesome idea Dru :smiley20:
10-25-2006, 07:23 PM
JustinF

Welcome from another newb.
10-29-2006, 12:01 PM
Dru Lee Parsec

Did you get it?

Cale:

Did your Cuban Crafter Humidor and cigar sampler show up yet? If so, how do you like that humidor? It looks amazing in the photos.
11-02-2006, 12:12 AM
Cale

Dru, It came today and i'm stoked!

Finishing up with the salt test right now and it appears my Hygrometer is a little off (reading 70% right now and the instructions say it should read 75%). Not a biggie since I plan on ordering the beads and a digital hygrometer tonight before I head to bed.

Is it important that I get the cigars into the Humi ASAP or can I wait a couple of days until the beads come? The sampler I bought is still in the box and is sealed air tight but the other 3 cigars that I received are in individual packaging but not airtight. Any suggestion on how quick these need to hit the Humi would be very helpful to the newbie!

Also, once I put them in the Humi is it important to leave them in there for a certain amount of time before I smoke 'em?

Thanks again to everyone who welcomed me here, I'm glad to be a part of the family! :smiley37:
11-02-2006, 02:14 AM
Dru Lee Parsec

Quote:

Is it important that I get the cigars into the Humi ASAP or can I wait a couple of days until the beads come?

Go ahead and put them in the humidor now. You won't be hurting anything and the cigars will have a chance to start equalizing their internal humidity.

I found that it's taken over a week to get my humidor to stabilize. My hygrometer was dead on at 75% during the salt test but my humidor is sucking up water like a sponge. So right now I have a small pan of water in my humidor and it's staying stable at 70%. If I take it out it drops to 60%. I think what's happening is that the humidor is still taking in water to stabilize at teh proper humidity.

I noticed that instead of being lined with cedar the Cuban Crafters humidors are actually all cedar with a veneer of wood on the outside. So it make take a bit of time for all that cedar to absorb enough water to hold 65%.

Try the Don Kiki green label and when you're ready for something a bit stronger the Cuban Crafter Cameroons are amazing.
11-18-2006, 12:51 AM
CoventryCat86

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary106334

Welcome Cale.:smiley41:

Welcome to you too Gary!!

What's the "106334" mean? Too many numbers for a zip code or a birthday so ya got me stumped.:smiley22: :smiley4:

Oh sorry Cale, welcome to you too!