CigarFox

How to Smoke Cigars

Far be it for us to instruct anyone how to smoke their cigars, but here goes anyway:

Four out of five of your senses have an important role to play in assessing the cigar. Sight, touch, smell and taste. Rolling a cigar next to your ear does not achieve anything useful – you can leave your ears at home.

There are two elements to the process of smoking your cigar. The first is the physical practicality of cutting, lighting and smoking. The second is the effect a cigar has on your senses while you carry out these various functions.

The Physical Practicalities:

Cutting
Once you have selected your cigar (see below – ‘Cigar Sensations’), you will need to cut the closed end. All handmade cigars have a cap (Havanas have a double cap) over the head end – this end goes in your mouth. If you attempt to smoke a cigar the other way around, you will find that half way through it will unravel and take on the appearance of an exploded stick. There are a number of ways of cutting the cap, ranging from the use of a thumb-nail, to portable guillotine cutters (both single and double bladed – see ‘Accessories’ on navigation bar), from cheap to expensive, to the more exotic cigar scissors and table-top cutters.

The cut should be clean and level, or there will be difficulties with the draw and a risk of damaging the wrapper. Cut the cigar so that an eighth of an inch of the cap is left around the cigar wrapper. It is not recommended that you pierce the cap with a pin, as this will interfere with the passage of smoke, make the cigar overheat and lead to unpleasant flavours from residues condensing at the point the cap was pierced. Cap hole-punching devices do work well as long as the diameter of the punch is at least a quarter of an inch. Wedge-shaped cutters are also not recommended, as these have a tendency to cut through all of the band on either side and the cigar wrapper can then unravel.

Whatever you use, make sure it is sharp, and that you expose enough of the filler leaves under the cap to allow the smoke uninterrupted passage.

Lighting Up
When you light a cigar, use either a butane lighter (not one filled with gasoline) or a match. Anything else, such as using a candle, will tend to taint the flavour of the cigar, and will ultimately impede the passage of smoke through the cigar with particles from the flame. Avoid matches with high sulphur or wax contact (don’t use paper matches). Take time and care to light the cigar.

First, hold the cigar horizontally in direct contact with the flame, and slowly revolve it until the end is charred evenly over its entire surface.

Put the cigar between your lips, hold the flame about half an inch away from the end, and draw slowly while rotating the cigar. Its end should now ignite. Ensure an even burn has taken hold.

Gently blow on the burning end to make sure the cigar is fully lit.

Smoking
After five minutes the cigar will have warned up and you will have reached cruising altitude.

Unlike cigarettes, cigars will naturally go out if left unattended. If your cigar goes out, don’t worry. Remove any ash clinging to the previously lit end by tapping the cigar. Blow through the cigar to clear away stale smoke. Re-light as previously described above. As long as the cigar has not been out for too long, the flavour will not be unduly affected. Continuous re-lighting of cigars will affect the flavour, and if a cigar is allowed to cool, then on re-lighting the tastes can become tainted and unpleasant (due to condensation of the smoke in the remaining part of the cigar).

Havanas are made from long filler tobacco leaves (another difference to cigarettes and machine made cigars). This means that the ash on the cigar, if it is a good one, should not fall off the moment it appears. There is no particular merit in keeping a long ash on a cigar, but neither is there any need to continually tap it to remove any excess ash. In assessing the quality of construction of your cigar, a long solid cylinder of ash is a good sign.

There is no need to warm the length of the cigar before smoking it. This was done in the nineteenth century to burn off the rather unpleasant gum used on some cigars made in Seville. Today’s handmade Cuban cigars use a small drop of flavourless, odorless vegetable gum at the cap end of the wrapper leaf.

The “End”
The final third of your cigar will be when the smoke is at its strongest. This is the time to part company before flavours become bitter and the effect of the cigar on your well-being may become detrimental. There is absolutely no need to stub or grind a cigar out to extinguish it. Left in the ashtray it will go out by itself: if you stub it out, it will release foul odours into the room. Once the cigar has self-extinguished remove any butts and ash from the room before they start to give out unpleasant smells (i.e. before going to bed!).

About the Author:

Mike Keesling is a freelance seo consultant and cigar afficiando. His favorite cigar shop in Los Angeles is the Ceniza Lounge in Pasadena.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Smoke a Cigar

acdc-moneytalks

Since the late 1990s, with the advent of so-called electronic cigarette, manufactures have striven to create the best tasting, similar feeling smokeless cigarette. At the forefront, e-cigarettes is one of the premier US brands of electronic cigarette, tailoring a variety of e-cigarette lines to millions of customers.

Electronic cigarettes performs much the same way as does a traditional tobacco cigarette. Not only does the device resemble the look and feel of a cigarette or cigar, it delivers virtually the same pleasure without passing tar and other harmful carcinogens to both the smoker and the environment. The e-cigarette can be smoked just about anywhere their traditional counterparts have been banned, such as restaurants, beaches, the workplace and airplanes.

The non-flammable electronic cigarette is driven by safe, microelectronic technology, featuring a small rechargeable battery fitted in a cigarette-like device, which utilizes unique replaceable cartridges which contain water, propylene glycol (to simulate smoke), nicotine, a scene that emulates tobacco and other safe non-toxic flavorings.

The most encouraging aspect of electronic cigarettes is how the act of inhaling produces the same taste, feel and craving satisfaction traditional smokers are looking for, by triggering a vaporized mist that releases a simulated smoke. Nicotine reaches the lungs and provides its effects in less than ten seconds.

Electronic cigarettes are incredibly easy to use. It’s solid construction won’t crush or break like a tobacco cigarette. It can be stored in a purse, jacket pocket, glove box or any convenient location.

When you want to use the e-cig, all you need to do is unscrew the indicator light tip at the end of the device, insert a charged battery and screw the tip back on. Then, at the opposite end, screw on your choice of smoke cartridges. Now, you’re ready to go.

…It’s as easy as lighting up. Within a couple drags, you feel as if you’re smoking a regular cigarette. One cartridge will last the equivalent of about two packs (40 cigarettes) of traditional tobacco cigarettes.

Refill cartridges come in a variety of flavors ranging from typical tobacco brands, to menthol as well as fruit flavors. Cartridges also come in a variety of nicotine levels, aiding those who wish to quit smoking to slowly wean themselves off nicotine, in a similar but far more satisfying way than the traditional nicotine patches.

Other upsides of the electronic cigarette are simply financial. An average pack a day smoker will begin to see savings by the 40th day of using the product. Over the course of a year, the savings would amount to over $1000. Never mind the money saved in carpet, drapery and dry cleaning that comes from stale smoke that reeks in the homes and clothes of typical smokers.

If there was one reason, though, that should motivate smokers of traditional tobacco cigars and cigarettes to try the electronic cigarette, its for their health. More and more, cigarette companies use additives in their cigarettes that have been proven to be harmful to the smoking public.

For those most stalwart skeptics, a recent poll discovered that those who have switched to the electronic cigarette, report a 90-95% percent satisfaction rate.

About the Author:

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Do Electronic Cigarettes Really Work – A Review

Cigar smoking present from Stef in Germany

JJ Grey of Mofro’s Cigar Box Guitar

When you ask your closest friends to be part of your wedding, you want to let them know how much you appreciate their support. That’s why it’s so important to find groomsmen gifts your friends will love. Sure, you can go with something traditional, like a money clip, but where’s the fun in that? Instead of falling back on old, expected standbys, take some time to come up with gift ideas that are right for your friends. Here are a few suggestions that will get your creative juices flowing.

A fun and practical groomsman gift for any of your friends who smoke would be smoking accessories. For the guys who smoke cigarettes, look into the possibility of picking up a nice case that fits easily into a jacket pocket. You can also consider good looking lighters in anything from traditional gold and silver tones to a wide range of colors. It is even possible to find lighters that feature the logos of some of your gang’s favorite sports teams.

If your crowd leans more toward cigars, you may consider presenting your friends with a good quality humidor. While this type of gift may cost a little more, a humidor lasts for a lifetime, and can be a great way to let your friends know how much you appreciate them. If you want to personalize the gift a bit, try having their names engraved on the lid, or stock the humidor with some of their favorite cigars.

Other fun yet practical groomsmen gift choices are tools and knives. When you have a buddy who is handy around the house, he’s sure to appreciate a pocket-sized retractable tape measure or a level equipped with laser projection may be just the ticket. A craftsman may also enjoy a good quality hammer as a groomsmen gift, along with a nice selection of different size nails.

If your friends are into the outdoors, you may want to consider going with a pocketknife, or even something multi-purpose, like a Swiss army knife. Knives of this type are handy around a campsite as well as in other types of outdoor situations. As with many gift options, you can have the body of the knife engraved with a message.

Groomsmen who like to hunt or fish are always happy to receive gifts that relate to their favorite sport. For fishermen, look for a groomsman gift that includes several different types of tackle and lures. Make sure they are appropriate for the type of fishing your friend enjoys the most. For hunters, something like a pocket-sized gun cleaning kit will be much appreciated.

Maybe your buddies are backyard chefs who know how to get the most out of a grill. If that is the case, you may want to gift each of your groomsmen with personalized outdoor grilling kits. Select from kits that include a nice selection of forks, spatulas, and other gear that will help them out with flipping burgers, grilling fish, or cooking whatever else they like to prepare on a grill. Add a little extra to the gift by including some type of barbecue sauce you know they like, just to make it even more personal.

Don’t overlook groomsmen gifts that can be useful while watching a game on television. For example, you can go with personalized beer mugs that are either standard size or are capable of holding the contents of two or more beer cans. Sweeten the deal by throwing in a case of each buddy’s favorite beer. That way, you know they’ll be okay while you’re on your honeymoon.

If you want to give them something they can take along on other types of outings, like tailgating parties, consider a good quality flask. You can have the body of the flask engraved if you want. If you are real friend, you’ll include a small bottle of each man’s favorite alcohol along with the flask.

If your friends are more the executive types, or have to travel a lot for work, you can look into gifting them with personalized travel kits. Make sure the kits include shaving gear and bottles to hold mouthwash, cologne, and other basics. Tossing in a new toothbrush is also a good idea, along with a resealable soap caddy, so they don’t have to deal with using stale bars of soap supplied by the hotels.

Keep in mind that giving the right groomsmen gifts means drawing on what you know about each of your friends. Take your cues from what they do for a living, which sports they like to watch or play, where they like to go, and what they like to do around the house. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to come up with unique and practical groomsmen gifts. Using these simple suggestions, you’re sure to score a big hit with your closest buddies.

About the Author:

Leslie Silver is a freelance writer who writes about weddings and groomsmen gifts.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Groomsmen Gifts Your Friends will Love

Black Velvet Dinner Jacket with Gloves and Cigar

The history of Russian jewelry starts with Peter I who organized all the state owned antique jewelry into a fund called the State Diamond Fund, in 1719. Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, reigned over Russia between 1682-1725. He decreed that the state owned Russian jewelry, which went back to the days of the Byzantine kingdom, was to be protected and expanded by each emperor and empress. Peter the Great secured all the antique jewelry, belonging to the period between the fifteenth till the seventeenth century, in a strong room located in St Petersburg, in his Winter Palace.

Following Peter’s reign, despite upheavals, substantial jewelry was added to the growing collection of Russian jewelry by Peter’s daughter Elizabeth I, her nephew Peter III, his wife Catherine III and her son Paul I.

During World War I the Russian jewelry had been hidden in the underground vaults of Kremlin. After the World War, around 1926, the antique jewelry was extricated from the Kremlin vaults, duly catalogued and photographed. Almost the entire collection of Russian jewelry was sold in 1927 at the famous Christie’s in London to an American consortium of buyers.

However, it was the left over pieces, which had not been sold, that were actually priceless in antiquity and significance. These pieces were remarkable specimen going back to the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries besides the crown jewels from various coronations. Today, the Russian jewelry, as the world knows it, is inside the vaults of the Kremlin open to public viewing.

The bulk of the Russian jewelry, which had been sold off to the American consortium, is now being sold as works of art and fine jewelry. It is not uncommon to find Faberge pieces in gold and turquoise from Louis XV period on sale on the web. You can also find ruby and pearl earrings and pendants with seed pearl, emerald drop and diamond besides cigar cutters in gold! You can also buy brooches, deco ruby necklaces, cufflinks, diamond cluster rings and bracelets in 18 k gold, ruby and diamond from the 1940s.

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About the Author:

I webmaster of http://www.museumjewellery.com/default.asp?lang=uk. We deal in all types Jewellery, Historical Jewellery,Victorian jewelry, Antique Necklaces, Antique Pendants, Antique Jewellery, Egyptian jewelry,Viking Jewelry,Russian jewelry,Celtic jewelry,French jewelry, African jewelry at very affordable price.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The History Of Russian Jewelry – A Brief

Camp Lo – Coolie High

What are the basics of cigar smoking?  How do you light a cigar?  How do you draw on the cigar properly?  Do you inhale?  What are the dos and don’ts of cigar smoking?  If you have ever pondered any of these questions, read on.  Here is a simple and accessible primer designed to help you gain familiarity with the sometimes confusing, always enigmatic world of cigar smoking.  

First Step:  Lighting Up

First, all new cigar smokers should learn how to properly light a cigar.  Use a clipper designed for cigars to clip off the edge of the head (the section you put to your mouth). If possible light the foot of your cigar with a cedar match.  Avoid regular cigarette lighters.  They produce a nasty odor that can linger and ruin a good cigar.  If you must use a lighter, use butane lighter.  These will keep the odor to a minimum.  However, you should always strive to use a wooden match because lighters can easily taint the foot of your cigar.  How do you light up?  Simply strike a match and hold the edge of your cigar over the flame.  Avoid touching the cigar to the fire, simply hold the cigar over the flame and draw deeply until the cigar is lit.

Second Step:  Burn it down to a nub?

Should you burn your cigar down to a nub?  Experts recommend you leave at least two inches to your cigar.  Even the finest cigars will tend to get bitter if you let it burn all the way down.  What about ashes?  Should you knock the ashes off of your cigar?  Rather than knocking the ashes off the edge, let the cigar rest in the ashtray when you’re not smoking it.  The ashes will fall off naturally.  

Third Step:  Relax and Enjoy

A cigar should never be rushed.  By design, cigars should be savored, preferably after dinner and with a glass of good brandy.  Hold the cigar between your thumb and fingers—anything else might be considered bad taste.  Also, don’t inhale deeply.  The smoke should not reach your lung.  This is very bad for your health, and it will not help you taste the cigar any better.  Of course, you should always be considerate of those around you.  If possible, smoke in the company of other cigar smokers. A good cigar can be enjoyed alone and even more so with friends.

About the Author:

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – About Cigar Smoking

How I Light My Cigar ( The 3 Match Technique)