The crystals are a good way to go. You don't have to get hung up on hygrometers because the crystals shrink when drying. When you fill the tube they expand. As you smoke you will get a feel for a cigar that is too wet; Uneven burns loss of smoke compared to previously smoked ones of the same kind. When wet open the humidor for awhile and enjoy the aroma. When dry keep a closer eye on your crystals expansion and shrinkage. Also you are better off with two. One for longer term storage, and one for more frequent opening. Also keep the short term one stocked with a diversity of cigars to encourage yourself to rotate your smokes. I don't buy boxes often. I keep my wood one (40 or so) ready for anything and a small cooler (50)with a crystals tube to stabalize the babies and allow them to age well.

As far as a lighter goes we have a shop in town that gives away butanes just for walking in the place so I'm no help there.

I like the $5.00 large ring guage double bladed cutter. I also have a $2.00 key ring punch cutter both available on E-Bay.

Welcome aboard and good luck