Draw Tools Question

[ca21455]

I prefer to use the holistic approach. Agree the plug is usually found around the band area. Sometimes it helps to gently roll the cigar between your fingers while applying pressure. This has a tendency to loosen up the leaves and allow better flow. That works a good deal of the time. If not then a good piercing as previously described will do the trick.

[GoatLocker]

Trying to poke all the way through is risky unless you are smoking short fat cigars, but then, they don't typically have many draw issues... I'm not a big believer in draw tools, but I would only poke as far as needed, from the end closest to the problem.

There really isn't any single solution for a cigar that won't give up the goods. Some are just rolled too tight, and can be helped to some degree by dry boxing.

Some are plugged, where there is a localized obstruction somewhere in the cigar. If you can poke through this plug, you might get a cigar to draw, but it's usually for a short time.

Frequently, the problem is a tight or twisted spot where the roller holds the leaves as he/she bunches the tobacco. This is usually pretty close to the location of the band. Again, if you can poke through this, it can fix a cigar, but it's usually a short lived fix. I have had better success using a 1/8" drill bit than my draw poker, as it actually removes tobacco, so the draw doesn't close back up after a few minutes.

All that said, like pmp, I usually pitch a stick that gives me any trouble.

[tunes]

Poke n’ Hope – a motto I live by! I use an 8” piece coat hanger with a bend on one end and the other cut at an angle. Slow and easy with a twist/wiggle here and there. It seems to work most times but the smoke isn’t the best, too much air with the draw and it’s usually a short lived fix.