Welcome, Paul.
Welcome!
Here's your "unoffical"
kit!
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Answers to frequently asked questions:
The vast amount of aficianados on this forum leave the cigar wrappers on their cigars.
Many like a v-cut versus a straight cut, and many use kitty litter to stabilize the humidity in their humidors, but the Boveda humi-paks and Heartfelt beads are also well liked.
Xikar hygrometers (note the "g" and not a "d" in hygrometer) are frequently recommended on this forum. If you ask how to calibrate one, you'll get pointed to Google.
Lighters are all over the board with many opting for the cost effective Ronson butane jet lighters while others prefer Xikars, large table top lighters, cedar spills, matches, car lighters, blow torches, fire pits - pretty much anything that's on fire.
Any science related questions about relative humidity and temperature have been discussed ad nauseum. But, if you feel the urge to ask, ignore what everyone posts except Jackal - he's the resident scientist.
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Insights into the Cigar Geeks communty:
Any thread that starts with "NSFW" gets tons of views during working hours and when one of the resident gurus named Bob posts one of his infrequent "getting everyone caught up on what Bob's been doing" thread you'll get plenty of
responses.
Don't post anything about ISOM's anywhere but the ISOM thread. Otherwise, you'll get a bunch of non-sensical responses.
Cuban cigars are illegal in the U.S.
Please resize your pictures before posting so you don't fire-up the curmudgeons on this site.
"Bombs" are not bombs, but gifts. Some on here refer to them as "kisses". Whatever you call them, it is not polite to broadcast you're sending a bomb(s) or solicit to be bombed.
Doing the latter will subject you to a mailbox full of dog rockets and a lifetime of ridicule here.
You are, however, encouraged to acknowledged being bombed and there's a thread for doing just that.
Hopefully, you like to see pictures of midget pole dancers - those pop up from time to time.
Passes are generally off limits to new folks until you have a few posts under your belt or have a veteran vouch for you. Same with selling, buying, or trading - you'll be expected to execute your end of the transaction first until you gain the confidence of some of the members. If you plan to do any of this, best to get a PooPal account if you don't already have one.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi of the site is Señor Pablo - when he speaks, we listen.
PIF's (Pay It Forward) are a great way to earn credibility here. There's several threads devoted to them. Just be sure to read the ground rules before jumping in or review the extensive threads to get an idea of what they're about.
If disagreements occur, the Gurus usually come through with sage advice - heed their warnings as they carry a lot of power (well, we let them think that anyway
).
Please consider joining CRA if you are not already a member - it gets you a cool badge that shows up under your name on posts.
Another easy way to earn a badge is to support the "Cigars for Troops" event that usually occurs in the early Fall.
Finally, welcome to our community - in the end, it's about the enjoyment of cigars and pipes, developing friendships with others who share common interests and passions, and enhancing your knowledge of our hobby!!!
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Heh. Thanks for creating this site!
