Sizes and names have changed with the times the thing that hasn't changed is ring gauge and length. You can figure out length on your own. Ring gauge is a bit different...they fractions of an inch with a 64 being an inch in diameter. The names of the sizes are kinda relative but panatellas are usually 6" or less with a small ring gauge 38 ish. Robustos are usually short 5" with a fatter ring gauge around 50. Toros are a bit longer with the same gauge as a robusto, then we have Churchills named for...you guessed it. They are a longer smoke usu 7-7.5 but are 38-40s in gauge. They have made double Churchills now too and they are thicker. There are gordos which means fat in spanish so use the length and gauge to tell you. There are also some funky shapes, torpedos which are like the cartoon with small ends on both sides. There are figurados which have a point on one end and open on the other. I personally like figurados the best, but it is a personal choice. When you cut a cigar you can use a punch, guillotine or scissor cutters (I personally would avoid using Gods cutters unless no other choice) razor blades can work but be careful. When you cut a cigar with either a scissor cutter (difficult to get used to) or a guillotine aim for the shoulder. The part where the wrapper rounds toward the end (cap), should only be maybe an eighth of an inch no more. A punch needs only to puncture the cap (outer layer of tobacco) because if you go to deep and you like to keep it in your mouth it will have issues. If you are interested in a guillotine (my choice) opt for a double guillotine...my favorite cutter is the Zino Davidoff double guillotine. A double guillotine has blades on both sides which don't pinch the cigar and usually have a sort of self sharpening property. I can go on and on but I will stop there for now.
Here is some information from the web:
Cutting
The closed end (or head) of a cigar is the end that you put into your mouth, but you have to cut it, first. When a cigar is hand rolled, a cap is put on the head of the cigar to keep it from unraveling and drying out. A cigar should not be cut until you are ready to smoke. There are three styles of cuts, and several types of cutters, but the straight cut made with a guillotine cutter is the most common. Hold the cigar with one hand and the guillotine with the other, then insert the head of the cigar into the guillotine and cut into the cap, usually about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch down. If the head of the cigar is shaped like a cone, then cut into the cone, but not quite at the widest part. In any case, do not cut into the body of the cigar. That would cause the wrapper to unravel, and ruin your smoking experience.
No Cigar Cutter?
The most primitive way of cutting the head of a cigar with absolutely no tools is to bite it with your teeth. This is a last resort, and should never be done with an expensive premium cigar, as the cigar is much more valuable than a basic cutter. Biting a cigar, or otherwise cutting it improperly, will cause the wrapper to unravel, and could even damage the binder and filler tobacco inside. If available, use a sharp knife and a cutting board, or a pair of sharp scissors. You can also use a pen or pencil to punch a hole in the cap. If the cigar costs more than $5, do not cut it until you have a cigar cutter. It will be worth the wait.
How to Light a Cigar
After being cut, the cigar is now ready for lighting. Butane lighters or wooden matches are recommended. It is important not to introduce chemicals or other flavors or substances into the cigar as it is being lit (never use a scented candle). There are many types of lighters on the market, but butane torch lighters work the best outdoors, especially on a breezy day.
Puff and Rotate
Light your lighter with one hand, then grip your cigar around the band (or about an inch or two from the head) using your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and ring finger (if necessary), and place in your mouth. Position the end of your cigar just above the top of the flame, being careful not to let the cigar actually touch the flame. Begin puffing on the cigar, then slowly begin to rotate the cigar while continuing to puff.
Seegarz
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Topic: Cigar (Read 25703 times)