Getting started?

[TreySC]

So besides the leaf, what do you need to get started? Any kind of specialty tools? Rolling is something I've been interested in since I realized it was possible for anyone, but I don't want to make a huge investment in case I really don't enjoy it or juts suck at it. Thanks

[Usafvet509]

Leafonly.com

[Usafvet509]

I am looking at this as well, Trey. I think that's enough to start, then I'd (and you) would look around for different molds, more tools etc. Bruck, what say you, sir?

[TreySC]

You looking at the starter kit they sell? I'm assuming from the description you don't need a knife with that

[Usafvet509]

10-26-2015, 07:03 PM #3
Bruck 
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You don't really need a lot of equipment and supplies - it's mainly manual. I would recommend as a minimum:
Kulu knife - you can get on Amazon
Big cutting board - anywhere
Molds - LO and WLT, plus there's a guy that GDaddy and I have used - Don, do you have the guy's e-mail? I'll look for it as well.
I mostly use home-made molds that I cut out of 3/4" PVC, and hose clamps.
Cigar glue
Cigar scissors
Leaves - WLT and LO sell starter kits which are a good a starting point as any, in terms of selecting leaves to blend.

& watch lots of youtube videos on the subject. GDaddy has made some good ones, as have a few others.

Good luck, & don't be bashful about asking questions. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we'd like to help smooth out the learning curve for you.

- - - Updated - - -

Copied and pasted from Bruck. Credit for the wisdom goes to him

[Sir Lancerolot]

I don't use molds. My cigars are very smokeable, but not as pretty as cigars that have been molded. There's a guy who made some YouTube videos about cigar rolling who wraps his cigars tightly in paper overnight before putting on the wrapper - in lieu of pressing them in a mold. I don't do that, either.

I know there's some debate over cigar glue - I use fruit pectin. Some people object to the taste, others don't notice it. I am one who does not.

A way of keeping notes about your blends - approximately how many leaves it takes to make the RG you want, and the resulting flavor, etc.

Kulu knife is a good choice. I have a chaveta that was made for me by a friend out of a saw blade, but not everyone has access to such a person. If you ever should decide you want a custom chaveta, I can hook you up.

Ditto on the cutting board - I have a beauty that a friend made me. Obviously you don't need a fancy knife and cutting board, but it makes my process a little more enjoyable. Try Ross for big cutting boards cheap.

Let us know how you do!

[HIM]

This is pretty much it. Been using all the same tools since I started.

Pizza cutter
Wooden cutting board
Kitchen shears
Cigar glue of choice

Molds help for aesthetics but aren't really necessary. The paper trick works very well as an option and I use it for vitolas differing from the RG of my mold. As far as molds go I have the wing nut 48RG wooden mold from LO and have zero complaints. Though if you have a vice or some sort of press traditional molds are probably the best as they are the industry standard.

[Bruck]

ALCON - that pretty much sums it up re equipment and supplies.
Leaves need for actually building a cigar:
wrapper: good quality leaves with relatively large stretches of unbroken lamina, preferably with thin subveins.
binder: strong leaves, not necessarily smooth or unblemished but it helps
filler: leaves, partial leaves, scraps at least as long as the cigar will be.

Happy to help anyone along on the learning curve, been there, made all the mistakes :)

[TreySC]

Thanks for the help gentlemen, been thinking about this for awhile now might finally make the leap.

[OnePyroTec]

...and this thread has been making me start thinking about rolling again.