CC bands

[dragn270]

I’ve been smoking both NC and CC for about 4-5 years now. One of the things I’ve noticed concerning the application of the bands is that the NC ones come off so much easier. NC come off with minimal effort and don’t really need to be heated much. But the CC ones? Man, some must be made of 1000 layer paper and I can only grab one layer at a time. I’ve tried letting the burn get close to help loosen the glue but even that doesn’t help all the time. Most recently happened on a Dip No 2 and when I tried to lightly pinch the end of layers 2-1000 I ended up cracking the wrapper. Luckily once I got it off it still smoked fine. So far all the veterans out there, are there any good tips you can send my way?

[JohnS]

Without being patronising, if you've been at this hobby a while you'll find that you'll buy up faster than you can smoke your stock. What then happens is that your inventory ages and in that time your cigars have shrunk slightly. The bands don't become so much of an issue then.

[Edicion]

You might have some boxes where the cigars have expanded or dried out compared to when the band was added. Some are just difficult in general.

If it doesn't work to tear one of the edges and keep tearing it around the cigar (yes it will be ruined) then for some boxes consider removing at the very beginning instead.

I know bands are nice as they help protect the fingers from the cigar and make them less dirty/tainted too, but sometimes I take off the bands at the beginning, as for some reason it seems easier. I also slide them off carefully (sharp edges can cut the wrapper too) before cutting the cigar.

Will follow the thread for more advice

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, dragn270 said:

I’ve been smoking both NC and CC for about 4-5 years now. One of the things I’ve noticed concerning the application of the bands is that the NC ones come off so much easier. NC come off with minimal effort and don’t really need to be heated much. But the CC ones? Man, some must be made of 1000 layer paper and I can only grab one layer at a time. I’ve tried letting the burn get close to help loosen the glue but even that doesn’t help all the time. Most recently happened on a Dip No 2 and when I tried to lightly pinch the end of layers 2-1000 I ended up cracking the wrapper. Luckily once I got it off it still smoked fine. So far all the veterans out there, are there any good tips you can send my way?

drop your humidity to 65 if you haven't already. Rest your Cubans a minimum 3 months albeit you probably already do. Bands should be fine then. I don't have an issue. 

[smbauerllc]

I’ve been smoking both NC and CC for about 4-5 years now. One of the things I’ve noticed concerning the application of the bands is that the NC ones come off so much easier. NC come off with minimal effort and don’t really need to be heated much. But the CC ones? Man, some must be made of 1000 layer paper and I can only grab one layer at a time. I’ve tried letting the burn get close to help loosen the glue but even that doesn’t help all the time. Most recently happened on a Dip No 2 and when I tried to lightly pinch the end of layers 2-1000 I ended up cracking the wrapper. Luckily once I got it off it still smoked fine. So far all the veterans out there, are there any good tips you can send my way?

I have noticed the same thing with cc bands. Difficult not to damage the wrapper sometimes

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[Ginseng]

When I want to remove the band(s) from a Cuban cigars, I slip the tip of my pen knife under one side and gently work it through to the other end. Always effective, always safe when done with a modicum of care. BTW, this is the same knife I use for decapping nearly any cigar I might want to smoke. The only exception would be larger gauge, pointy cigars like torpedos.

[dominattorney]

Get one of those Swiss army knives with the little cute scissors for your finger nails. Dat'll do it. 

[Kaptain Karl]

34 minutes ago, dominattorney said:

Get one of those Swiss army knives with the little cute scissors for your finger nails. Dat'll do it. 

Damn you and your logic! 😂

[smbauerllc]

Get one of those Swiss army knives with the little cute scissors for your finger nails. Dat'll do it. 

Lol, nice idea actually.
U just use my fingernails and very rarely get wrapper damage

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[Puros Y Vino]

FWIW, I'm finding that bands are harder to get off cleanly.  I want to say it's part of Habanos' plan to reduce counterfeits via reapplied bands on farm rolls, etc.  But that takes forethought. 

 

[Nino]

1 hour ago, dominattorney said:

Get one of those Swiss army knives with the little cute scissors for your finger nails. Dat'll do it. 

Highly recommended and very useful 🙂

[BrightonCorgi]

Take bands off before you light the cigar if the cigar is expanding too much to take it off later on.

[dragn270]

49 minutes ago, Nino said:

Highly recommended and very useful 🙂

Was the Habanos added or does it come like that? Also, where’d you get that? I might have to have one now. 

[Nino]

36 minutes ago, dragn270 said:

Was the Habanos added or does it come like that? Also, where’d you get that? I might have to have one now. 

From my Swiss cigar merchant - took some to Cuba as gifts.

I have the XL Swiss Army knife, this one for cigars and another midget one. Only one I use is this one ...

Correction - 2 midget ones...

 

[Chibearsv]

Aha, that reminds me that my Swiss brother-in-law sent me the SwissCard last year which should be a helpful smoking tool.  I had a midget knife that I found useful all the time but it was confiscated by TSA several years ago.  I forgot to take it off my keychain like an idiot and they took it away.

 

[Meesterjojo]

Given where our host is, and given all these knives, I'm very disappointed we haven't had a crocodile dundee quip yet.

Couldn't resist. 

[smbauerllc]

Take bands off before you light the cigar if the cigar is expanding too much to take it off later on.

Not really sure why, but I always remove the bands before smoking. Even though I very rarely smoke one down enough to reach the band.
Its just become a habit somehow

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[ReturnFreeRisk]

This is a small but exceptional detail I notice with Davidoff. Whatever glue they use seems to hold well on with age (my oldest box 2007), but no matter which cigar/vitola I grab it peels off with such ease...


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