Best method band removal?

[JoeyBones777]

One thing I've notice since smoking more Cubans than not is they are insistent on using the strongest glue possible on their bands. What have you all found is the best way to remove the band without it being a full on production or damaging the cigar? I've done everything from sliding it off if loose enough to tearing it to cutting it...keep in mind, also, I like to keep the bands.?

[Edward7]

I keep my bands too, but by tearing them off and not intact. I just peel it. I like to smoke my cigars with no bands at all on them but sometimes if it feels fragile, I wait until the ember is down near the band to tear it off. That way if I damage the wrapper, most of it has been smoked anyway.

Also, if it needs to be taken off intact, I always find that sliding it off the cap end usually results in the band cutting into the wrapper. It's usually easier to wait until the ash is near the band and swiftly pull it off over the ash.

[Ritch]

I personally find it's best to get my butler to remove the band

[NSXCIGAR]

Cuticle nipper works great. Slides between band and cigar easily, cuts and makes it easy to rip it from there or keep cutting.

[WABOOM]

After I take a pic and once I get close to the band...

[aphexafx]

The majority of mine will slide off at some point.  ?  Otherwise just tear.

[Drguano]

Unplugging their amps usually gets the message across...

[PigFish]

Never slide. Bands almost always cut the wrappers of seasoned cigars! Pull tab and toss! Cigar is important, band is not.

-Piggy

[JoeyBones777]

Just now, PigFish said:

Never slide. Bands almost always cut the wrappers of seasoned cigars! Pull tab and toss! Cigar is important, band is not.

-Piggy

Agreed, the cigar is more important. I will always sacrifice the band over damaging the cigar. I just want to have my cake and eat it too.?

[PigFish]

Just now, JoeyBones777 said:

Agreed, the cigar is more important. I will always sacrifice the band over damaging the cigar. I just want to have my cake and eat it too.?

I had enough bands at one time to decorate a little Christmas tree! We all have our way of expressing our passion for cigars. That was, well... a long time ago!

I understand all aspects of cigar enjoyment, barring some of the more 'kinky' ones. Mine plays out in my obsession with storage!

Cheers! -Piggy

[JoeyBones777]

1 minute ago, PigFish said:

I understand all aspects of cigar enjoyment, barring some of the more 'kinky' ones. Mine plays out in my obsession with storage!

At the end of the year I like to go through all the bands and reminisce. Hopefully that doesn't constitute "kinky"!? Its kind of like a serial killer memento of each kill. I suppose as long as I don't create jewelry with them and gift it to my wife so I'm reminded everytime she wears it, I'm in the clear...but the thought crossed my mind.?

[kalibratecuba]

Never slide. Bands almost always cut the wrappers of seasoned cigars! Pull tab and toss! Cigar is important, band is not.
-Piggy

I was going to write that a I wait for the bands to loosen through aging, but since you are the man, I am doubting myself.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[aphexafx]

40 minutes ago, PigFish said:

Never slide. Bands almost always cut the wrappers of seasoned cigars! Pull tab and toss! Cigar is important, band is not.

-Piggy

Well!  I slide often.  ?  Rarely a problem.  If it is, I tear.

[Silverstix]

The cuticle cutter tool is a cool trick.  I typically smoke down to within 1/2" of the band, at that point 1 of 2 things happens: 1) the heat has loosened the band enough to where it slides right off or peels off easily, or 2) it has not loosened up and it becomes time to sacrifice the band because as others said, the cigar is more important than the band

[BrightonCorgi]

Store the box for 20 years and bands usually slide right off....

[CaptainQuintero]

  I find if there isn't much give to start with, then you invariably end up damaging the wrapper

[Puros Y Vino]

Soft flame lighter, slowly hovering back and forth where the glue is.  That tends to soften the glue and let you pull it apart intact.  You will scorch the odd band while you work on your technique though.

 

[JoeyBones777]

37 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Store the box for 20 years and bands usually slide right off....

I'll keep this in mind when I'm 58 and hopefully have some that have survived my insatiable desire to smoke them.?

[BarryVT]

Unless the band is loose, I always smoke up to band then remove. Too many times have had glue tear the wrapper. I would rather destroy wrapper after smoking most of cigar, than tear it before I start smoking. But always peel, yes have torn many of wrappers with the slide method.

[Vortigan]

4 hours ago, NSXCIGAR said:

Cuticle nipper works great. Slides between band and cigar easily, cuts and makes it easy to rip it from there or keep cutting.

Great idea!! I acquired a pair of these from work and use them to snip off the loose ends from new guitar strings, they now have a second function 

[canadianbeaver]

At the point where if the band comes off nicely, enjoy it on my finger while smoking the stick. Save them sometimes too. If the slightest resistance, rip for efficient removal to spare wrapper the most.

This is what counts, as Brother Pig said.

CB

[cigcars]

  *I just go ahead and start smoking it.  After a certain point the glue loosens and the band goes soft, and I can easily and safely take the band off if I need to.

[boopdeep]

You’re supposed to remove the band???

[Fuzz]

7 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Store the box for 20 years and bands usually slide right off....

But if you're in a hurry, store your cigars at 10% RH, and the bands will slide right off.

[Astar20]

I'd been wondering the same thing on how to get these off. I keep the bands as well thanks for all the insight.