Opening The Draw On A Cigar

[TinCup]

Sorry folks I'm sure this is an often repeated question but cant see one after a brief look

I really like the Cuaba Tradicionales but often find the draw way too tight (esp in the first 3rd)

Despite this I really enjoy the flavour and since they've been out of stock here since end of last year when I saw them in the store at the weekend I couldn't resist and grabbed a handful, but would appreciate tips on best tool/method to open it up without causing damage/spoiling the smoke?




As a follow up question... would you/do you cut the foot on a figurado?

Thanks in advance

 

[beefeater33]

Some pretty good info on this recent thread- Seeking Advice On Tatuaje :: Cigar Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/seeking-advice-on-tatuaje.78461/
I never cut the foot on a figurado...........

 

[jerseysam]

I do not cut the foot on figurado/torpedo shapes. I may need to touch up the burn-line occasionally when it gets into the body...but more often than not smokes out fine from initial light.

The 'Perfect Draw' used to be the go-to, and is out on Amazon/sites for $30 or under. There's some newer/more expensive takes.....but the PD is the one I have (don't use it often, but worked fine if it was a true plug down in the body). Also, if you haven't used a cat's eye/wedge cutter....you may want to give that a whirl. It won't help a true plugged roll....but if it's just a tighter construction getting that deeper channeled air-flow cut can help (compared to a guillotine snip).

 

[seanv]

I had this happen just yesterday. I am at the lake and don't have all of my tools so I used a two pronged BBQ tool very gently and it worked. I am a savage apparently

 

[mso489]

seanv, do I understand you skewer the cigar with a pointed BBQ tool? How far? I think I tried that once but couldn't make it work; it was like smoking a pingpong ball, no draw at all. I used an ice pick or awl or something.

 

[seanv]

seanv, do I understand you skewer the cigar with a pointed BBQ tool? How far? I think I tried that once but couldn't make it work; it was like smoking a pingpong ball, no draw at all. I used an ice pick or awl or something.

I went maybe 1 inch max with this bad boy. It helped the draw until it naturally opened up about half way.

 

[TinCup]

Can't believe i didn't think of this straightaway to sort my problem... ?

 

[NomadOrb]

I have used the PerfecDraw on many occasions, and it really does work. It has saved a bunch of cigars for me so it has easily paid for itself.

Nope, just light the foot and the burn should keep moving through to the body of the cigar.

 

[mso489]

Nothing worse than sniffing, admiring, and brandishing an unlit cigar and then lighting up to ... nothing. The toothpick is a good remedy, the round sturdy ones, not the little flat meatball stabbers.

 

[Worknman]

I wonder if a long wood screw or a drill bit would work just as good as an expensive cigar draw tool. Just screw it in and pull it straight out.

 

[tbradsim1]

Tried one of my deck screws, worked so good I keep one on my porch, zero turn, and big tractor.

 

[daveinlax]

I keep a long precision screwdriver at hand for opening up tight cigars. ?

 

[didimauw]

I use the poker part of the pipe tools.

 

[jhand45]

+1 PefectDraw. I often roll my own (badly) so I find it incredibly useful

 

[gerryp]

+1 on the pipe tool.

Sometimes gently rolling the cigar between your fingers will loosen it up a little, but beware of wrapper cracking if the cigar is dry.