A Few Questions

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Originally Posted by Bruck

@rodwha - sorry, I haven't signed in for a few days and it looks like most of your questions are answered but if not, feel free to ping me or send a PM. Looks like you're off to a good start - your initial sticks look far better than mine did!

My higher level advice is, learn to sing on key before singing loud :) The important things are flavor and burn characteristics. Work on burn first, which is mainly a function of how you work the filler bundle. Watch videos and practice. For flavor, buy small samples of various leaves and try them. I think Leafonly sells 1/4 pound units of some stuff. I'm happy to share my experience if you're interested.

I'm probably not the best person to advise on aesthetics, but I would say, it'll come with practice. I don't put a lot of effort into appearance myself - i'm happy if it looks more like a cigar than a stool sample :)

My biggest challenge continues to be the draw - after rolling 454 cigars I still manage to make a few that are too loose or too tight. I guess I'm not Cuban enough. That reminds me - you should keep a log book of your cigar rolling.

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A log book sounds like an excellent idea! Especially as ADD hinders my memory.

I did notice the 1/4 lb offerings from Leaf Only. I'm ok with a mild smoke as long as there's flavor. That's all I'm really after. Don't care so much about nicotine anymore after I quit chain smoking cigarettes for 26 years.

I'm curious how people get their leaves to stay stretched while rolling. It was quite the task and I failed at it.

How do you fellas store your leaves? I've been keeping mine in my fermentation chamber (chest freezer w/temp controller) that's set at 65* I believe (stupid Chinese controller only uses Celsius settings, but then it was fairly cheap).

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Originally Posted by rodwha

I'm curious how people get their leaves to stay stretched while rolling. It was quite the task and I failed at it.

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I guess I don't so much stretch the wrapper as pull it tight while rolling it on. Here's my technique: I have a stainless tray which I moisten before putting the already-hydrated wrapper on it. It's all pretty wet at this point. I press it down as flat as I can, then after applying glue to the upper edge, sort of pull on it slightly while wrapping.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rodwha

How do you fellas store your leaves? I've been keeping mine in my fermentation chamber (chest freezer w/temp controller) that's set at 65* I believe (stupid Chinese controller only uses Celsius settings, but then it was fairly cheap).

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Ideally one would keep them in a big humidor, but I have too many in my library, so I just seal them in plastic bags and store them in a big file cabinet. Sometimes they get pretty dry between rolling sessions, which of course is not ideal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLN7opr973Q&t=0s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKrdrK6ZtUY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxgbSHtCejo

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wrappers and binders

https://i.imgur.com/ft7wH7B.jpg

sorted and halfed fillers

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https://i.imgur.com/XNRRMFX.jpg

Interesting way that one guy ended his cigar.

It also amazes me how many of these guys don't need a mold.

Check this one from our friend waikikigun aka blisscigarco.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rmIS0vZfU4&t=0s