Cigar Rolling Kit

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Originally Posted by Bruck

That's actually what got me into pipe smoking (again - I had tried it in the early 90s but gave it up as I didn't know what I was doing and quit in frustration).

You could shred tobacco leaves and smoke them straight in a pipe, which some people do, and it's not bad but a little one-dimensional in my opinion.

Another thing people do is steam the leaves to make a plausible pseudo-Cavendish. I've done this with some success. Straight, unflavored Cavendish is pretty bland, but takes flavoring well and is a good component in other blends.

What I usually do is add tobacco scraps to a Virginia-based flake. Happy to share my recipes if you're interested. Here are some threads on flake and rope technique:

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/the-do...lake-4658.html

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/the-do...wist-1566.html

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/the-do...lake-1392.html

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/the-do...-19-a-908.html

I realize that the flake setup is somewhat elaborate, but it works :) Others on this board have produced some pretty respectable krumble kakes with less elaborate press arrangements (weights, clamps, etc.).

Making a rope is more within reach regarding equipment, but the technique is more challenging.

& of course, you don't need to make flakes or ropes; you could just cut leaves into ribbons and blend them with other tobaccos.

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Seems quite a bit more in depth than I'd likely want to go, especially at this point. Thinking I'm just going to have to try out cigarillos with the scraps first.

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Originally Posted by rodwha

Seems quite a bit more in depth than I'd likely want to go, especially at this point. Thinking I'm just going to have to try out cigarillos with the scraps first.

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Or just smoke them in a pipe.

The problem with "scrap filler" cigars is that they tend not to ash or burn consistently. Also, flavorwise, they tend to be all over the place. Kind of like Fuente Curly Heads.

I'd be ok with flavor variations I think. Kinda like a surprise each time!

I've been rehydrating old Boveda packs to drop into the leaf bags. After they get better I'll try again.

Watching the video over again I see that his leaves were at a 45* angle which I obviously wasn't doing as I was just orienting by the veins.

Soon the two I rolled will be ready for the tupperdor. A part of me wanted to be impatient and try one after it dried out just a little. But I'd rather it be right...

Re resting - basically you can smoke a cigar immediately after rolling (assuming it's dry enough to burn), or you can rest it. Smoking it immediately (there's actually a Spanish term for this, but it fell out of my brain) has a certain appeal, but if you don't, I recommend at least 3 months of rest and 6 months is better. In the interest of full disclosure, mine rarely last more than a few months.

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Originally Posted by rodwha

I'm a bit curious on the tools your friends made for you. Mind sharing a pic?

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OK - sorry it took so long!

Antique rolling pin (it was my Mom's - pretty sure she got it as a wedding present)
Chaveta fashioned by knife-making friend out of circular saw blade and fancy handle material.
Cutting board fashioned by guitar-making friend who sometimes does end-grain cutting boards with leftover wood scraps.

Attachment 6963

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Originally Posted by Bruck

Re resting - basically you can smoke a cigar immediately after rolling (assuming it's dry enough to burn), or you can rest it. Smoking it immediately (there's actually a Spanish term for this, but it fell out of my brain) has a certain appeal, but if you don't, I recommend at least 3 months of rest and 6 months is better. In the interest of full disclosure, mine rarely last more than a few months.

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I leave mine out of the coolidor overnight to kickstart the drying process. They're always too wet to smoke. The day after I roll them I put them in the coolidor for 2-3 weeks, at which time they have reached a good moisture level for smoking. I like the taste of "green" cigars, so I will start smoking them at this point. I have left a few to rest for a few months, and they are definitely worth the wait. My goal is to roll enough to allow me to smoke a few fresh and leave some to rest.

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Originally Posted by Sir Lancerolot

OK - sorry it took so long!

Antique rolling pin (it was my Mom's - pretty sure she got it as a wedding present)
Chaveta fashioned by knife-making friend out of circular saw blade and fancy handle material.
Cutting board fashioned by guitar-making friend who sometimes does end-grain cutting boards with leftover wood scraps.

Attachment 6963

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That is an awesome cutting board!

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Originally Posted by rodwha

That is an awesome cutting board!

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Yep - he does amazing work. That is actually kind of a "second." Some of the wood pieces he used have deeper flaws than he would normally use, and he didn't give it as fine a finish. But it's perfect for me.

He's supposed to be building me a chess board - we'll see. It's a "when I get around to it" kind of project. LOL!

He's going to start on a guitar for me pretty soon. He has a couple in the works, and then mine and another guy's will be up.

http://www.sunbeahmguitars.com

https://sunbeahm.com/

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Originally Posted by Sir Lancerolot

Yep - he does amazing work. That is actually kind of a "second." Some of the wood pieces he used have deeper flaws than he would normally use, and he didn't give it as fine a finish. But it's perfect for me.

He's supposed to be building me a chess board - we'll see. It's a "when I get around to it" kind of project. LOL!

He's going to start on a guitar for me pretty soon. He has a couple in the works, and then mine and another guy's will be up.

http://www.sunbeahmguitars.com

https://sunbeahm.com/

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I can see a chess board like that being sweet! The same with a guitar if left like that and not painted.

I was given a bass guitar by Karmen for my birthday long ago. LOVE the bass but never learned how to truly play it. I left the battery in it and it corroded the wire both from the snap on 9v fixture and the internal board. Been meaning to see if it can be fixed, though in a way I would rather see about trading the 6 string in on a 5 as my hands struggle to reach a bit. But then I don't know that I'd learn to read music and still need to replace the amp I had as I often used it as a portable speaker while I was outside or brewing beer and the power cord wasn't attached well and fried it. Grrr!!! Sure did like making the windows rattle though!