Over the last couple of weeks I find myself drawn to lighting most of my cigars with wood matches.
I have always been a fan of butane torches but I've noticed that the first 1/2 inch of a cigar is much better after a 3 or 4 match light.
It was likely my lighting method (toasting with flame too close? that always gave me a hint of harshness in that 1st couple of minutes. I get none of that with matches. I think they force me to take more time and care during the lighting process. I make sure that all the sulphur has burned away of course.
I still use the torch while on the golf course or in any sort of breeze though.
Do many of you prefer to use matches when you can?
Posts: 74 | Location: Ontario | Registered: March 07, 2008
Hey wauds. I usually use my butane torch because it is just quicker for me and because I dont know where I can pick up matches from that are okay to light cigars with.
I also find the harshness that you were saying in the first few minutes of the cigar when i light with butane. Where do you suggest i can get some good matches from?
________________________ Smoke Lot's, And Live Long.
There are CIGAR MATCHES that do not contain sulphur available from some cigar lounges like Club Macanudo. Zino also makes them.
Why not try a cedar splii?
Take a piece of cedar from inside a cigar box and light that with your butane lighter and then light the cigar with the spill. This way you eliminate all the chemicals.
Doc ***** Tobacco is a filthy weed, I like it...
SNOB Member 1033 1/3
Posts: 9614 | Location: New York City | Registered: May 02, 2002
I just use regular old "sea dogs" or "red-birds" that you get from the supermarket. You just have to make sure to burn away all the sulphur before lighting.
I have read here that you can get non-sulpher matches from your local B & M. I haven't tried those yet.
I have also used those super-long 8" matches that you light a fireplace with. You can definitely get your cigar lit with just one of those.
Posts: 74 | Location: Ontario | Registered: March 07, 2008
Hi Doc, I must have been typing that last one when you were responding. I believe it was your suggestion a while back about the non-sulpher matches. I'll look for those.
I recently tried the cedar spills. While a little messier than matches, they do give you a nice light. I broke up the cedar wrapper on a Torano 1916 Cameroon and lit the cigar with it. Worked out OK.
Posts: 74 | Location: Ontario | Registered: March 07, 2008
For me, cedar spills are the preferred method when I'm smoking at home. Don't even have to break up any cedar to make any myself, because most of my B&M offer them free, already broken up to a convenient size.
wauds11, you're right about the lighting method: the flame should hardly touch the foot of your stogie, no matter whether using torch, matches or cedar spills.
------- "And it is not just a business. It’s a love affair." Paul B.K. Garmirian about making cigars
If I were you, I would pat myself on the back. I believe you just learned a lesson that takes some a long time to get. Personally, unless its really windy outside, I light my cigar everytime with matches or wooden spills. I personally like spills the best, but I use those or matches.
quote:
Originally posted by wauds11: Over the last couple of weeks I find myself drawn to lighting most of my cigars with wood matches.
I have always been a fan of butane torches but I've noticed that the first 1/2 inch of a cigar is much better after a 3 or 4 match light.
It was likely my lighting method (toasting with flame too close? that always gave me a hint of harshness in that 1st couple of minutes. I get none of that with matches. I think they force me to take more time and care during the lighting process. I make sure that all the sulphur has burned away of course.
I still use the torch while on the golf course or in any sort of breeze though.
Do many of you prefer to use matches when you can?
__________________________
"'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read."- Mark Twain
Posts: 839 | Location: Oklahoma | Registered: December 27, 2007
I have found the spills really do work well, they don't burn out anywhere near as easily as matches, nor burn to fast. Nice easily controlled flame, not as hot as a torch, which can be a good thing when you are bearded like myself and a little paranoid about flames.
