Draw Tool

Diver43

Over the weekend I experienced my first extremely tight cigar. It was so tight that the stick was not enjoyable. I was ready to toss it and since I have the smart phone that makes me dumb, I logged onto here and did a search. Learned about the freezer process but seeing the cigar was already lit didn't think that was a good idea.  Saw about pokers and tools so went into the wife's kitchen as I knew there was some bamboo skewers in the drawer. It worked OK, but not perfect.  Did some more reading and saw that many mentioned a BBQ Grill accessory at Walmart. I actually stopped at two of them over the weekend and found nothing that looked like it would work. Checking Amazon it seems like a pretty expensive item for what it is.  What to you guys on here use? I have learned so much since joining that I figured someone would have a better idea than a Bamboo skewer.

Thanks in Advance

Amos_Umwhat

I have tried the bamboo skewer, also, with fairly disastrous results.  I have seen a tool, I believe it's available at a site we don't mention.  I'd be interested in finding alternate solutions, as well.  Hope some respond to this.

silvermouse

this looks like a good approach:
http://forum.cigar.com/discussion/664779/cigar-poker

also there was a dentist selling his version a few months ago, I bought one and it works well, but I can't remember his name or the web site. Seems like he just showed up here to sell his wares.

Oh, yeah, it was $40 here: www.perfecdraw.com

peter4jc

When the hit-and-run guy showed up to sell his PerfecDraw I picked one up, and even though it's pricey, the thing actually works and has almost paid for itself in saving a few sticks.

I also made a poker out of some1/16" wire I was going to use for making my version of the Stubble Nubbers - this didn't get used because it wasn't stainless - you can find it anywhere - and married a 5" length of the wire to a 4" piece of 1/2" dowel.  Works very well.  If you're going to make something, leave the end blunt.  It's an old carpenter's trick to blunt the end of the nail before pounding it in if you find the wood is splitting; a sharp point spreads the fibers of the wood apart and it splits; a blunt end will cut through the fibers w/o splitting.  So a blunt poker tool will do the same and cut the tobacco - if it has a point and simply spreads the tobacco, it usually just falls back in place after the tool is removed.

TaraLee

peter4jc said:

When the hit-and-run guy showed up to sell his PerfecDraw I picked one up, and even though it's pricey, the thing actually works and has almost paid for itself in saving a few sticks.

I've been interested in the dentist's PerfecDraw, and it seems to be earning it's price tag... I think I'm gonna have to get one

jlmarta

TaraLee said:

peter4jc said:

When the hit-and-run guy showed up to sell his PerfecDraw I picked one up, and even though it's pricey, the thing actually works and has almost paid for itself in saving a few sticks.

I've been interested in the dentist's PerfecDraw, and it seems to be earning it's price tag... I think I'm gonna have to get one

Well, it's your money, @TaraLee, but a piece of coat hanger wire is a d@mned sight cheaper.... 

Sketch6995

I have several poking tools, none of them work very well.
I usually end up just tossing the stick......
The main one I use is the Havana draw enhancer.
It has rasp sections on it, but the holes always collapse.

cbuck

I use a large paper clip unfolded. Works fine, as long as I take my time!

Bob_Luken

Plugged cigars are few and far between thankfully, but when it happens I try to tell myself to make something or buy something and then the need is forgotten. I've used various home-made implements with no satisfaction. I've had decent results with a paper clip, but nothing beats chucking the plugged stick and lighting up another. 

cbuck

For me it's pure CT yankee stubbornness! I paid good money for it, and I'm not chucking it without a fight!

Yakster

Bob_Luken said:

Plugged cigars are few and far between thankfully, but when it happens I try to tell myself to make something or buy something and then the need is forgotten. I've used various home-made implements with no satisfaction. I've had decent results with a paper clip, but nothing beats chucking the plugged stick and lighting up another. 

Pretty much my thoughts.  It hasn't been enough of a problem to motivate me to seek a solution.

Patrickbrick

I was having a discussion with a very wise man, while attempting to smoke a cigar that was plugged.  As I continued to try and fix the draw i was getting frustrated, then irritated, my focus on the great conversation disintegrated.  This wise man interrupted, my rant to myself and asked me why I smoke cigars.  My answer was to relax, to get away from life for a couple hours, to engage in conversation uninterrupted, and to have just plain me time.  The wise asked "are you doing any of those things right now", I thought for a second and responded "no".  His response to this was "it's only tobacco, it's not worth getting all worked up over, grab another stick".  This wise, wise man has saved me some grief.

peter4jc

Bob_Luken, the wise man, once said, "If you have to poke it, don't smoke it."

rsherman24

Small phillips screwdriver.  Handle, fairly sharp point, little texture on the end, and its a multi-tasker.

edelrionyc

Google Tobacco Pipe Tool.  This is what I use.  It's made for Pipe Smoking but works great on cigars and is pretty compact.  Also really cheap. I think they start off at like $2

Diver43

Thanks to all for the ideas.  I found a tool on another company's website that I consider very affordable and I found a few items just looking in a drawer in the garage. Still can not figure out what BBQ grill took folks mentioned though, wish someone had a link or picture.

Wylaff

It's a metal skewer. 

danielzreyes

meh. why go through the trouble? I usually just pitch it. but before I do, I open it up to see what the problem is. usually an item was accidentally put in there, like a battery or even a baseball card etc

Diver43

Wylaff said:

It's a metal skewer. 

Thank You

now I understand what was being mentioned. I have a few ideas of things to try until I find the right tool.  Several folks say just toss it. Why not give something a try? If it dosnt work or I ruin the stick, then it gets tossed anyways.