How to light a cigar

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			How to light a cigar If a cigar draws badly, check to see whether you’ve forgotten to clip the end. That might sound like a joke, but all too often it actually happens. The process of lighting a cigar basically starts from here. There are various instruments for clipping a cigar – the most common are a guillotine, cigar scissors, or a punch. Which you choose is entirely a matter of taste and habit. Other instruments not specially designed for cigars, like knives, teeth or ordinary scissors should only be used in cases of dire necessity, since the chances of spoiling the cigar are very high. A punch is generally used for small cigars, but some smokers prefer to use it for all cigars (photo 2, 3). The only time when you shouldn’t use a punch is when clipping figured cigars, like a torpedo or a piramide – it won’t work with these shapes. A figurado cigar needs a guillotine (photo 1). But the most important thing to remember is not to cut off the cap of the cigar completely, otherwise the wrapper leaf will unwind and the cigar will be impossible to smoke. Now you can light up. For this purpose there are matches and lighters (but only gas lighters). The torch-type lighter (photo 4) is more convenient, but an ordinary one will do. Holding the cigar in one hand and the lighter in the other, you should twist the cigar and try to ensure that the flame spreads evenly over the whole surface of the cigar end (photo 5). Then, while still twisting the cigar between your fingers, take a few pulls (photo 6). Try to smoke the cigar evenly, otherwise it could burn crookedly (photo 7). To remove the band or not? This is a question that worries many. And there is no unambiguous answer to it. It’s something for each smoker to decide for himself. The main thing is not to hurry. If you take off the band before lighting up or immediately afterwards, there is a chance that you’ll spoil the wrapper leaf (photo 8). If you want to take it off, it’s better to do it after the cigar has warmed up and the glue with which the band has been stuck on has softened (photo 9). Finally, the last thing. Don’t put your cigar out in the ashtray like a cigarette butt. Simply put it down and let it quietly go out. by SERGEY DROZDOV