Pics of your Sticks!! 2023-2024

[FrostD]

Hi folks! New here and new to rolling. About two weeks in so drinking from the firehose right now. For the blend "recipes" listed here, when it says 1 seco, 1.5 viso, etc., what is that representing? Is that ounces, leaves or something else? For repeatability, weighing makes sense to me, but I have a feeling that isn't the case. Please advise, thanks!

Hey Refractored! Welcome and excited to see some pics of your home rolls! As far as your question, you’re right on the repeatability. Weighing each leaf type should promote the most repeatable type of cigar in consistency. As all the cigars with that method will have the same amount of each leaf.

Some of us (including myself) when mentioned 1, 1.5, 2, etc. will mean 1 whole leaf, 1.5 whole leaf, 2 whole leaves, etc. As different types of leaf can be shaped differently, have sections missing, or have 1 side longer than the other. Perhaps others label or look at it differently and can definitely chime in here. That’s at least how I look at it. The best “rule of thumb” is if you roll it up and enjoy it, the rest doesn’t matter as much to most people. Just my $.02.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum, @Refactored. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. You may wish to scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads, linked in the menu bar.

The reality about the units of measure presented by forum members is that a number without a stated unit of measure is usually anybody's guess. Since the character of categorically sorted tobacco leaf varies somewhat from one leaf to the next (same batch of a specific variety of a specific priming), and in unpredictable ways, precision is merely aspirational. The more you roll (or blend), the more comfortable you will feel with making small adjustments based on the particular leaf in hand.

Bob

 

[WillQuantrill]

Hi folks! New here and new to rolling. About two weeks in so drinking from the firehose right now. For the blend "recipes" listed here, when it says 1 seco, 1.5 viso, etc., what is that representing? Is that ounces, leaves or something else? For repeatability, weighing makes sense to me, but I have a feeling that isn't the case. Please advise, thanks!

I know when I keep notes on my cigar blends I'm referring to number of leaves. 1 would be 1 whole leaf. But I generally roll the same size Toro/Torpedo. Suppose in the future if I felt the need to roll different sizes measuring weight would be helpful. Just a side note, I don't use midrib or stems in my homerolls. I haven't seen any evidence it has effected the construction of my cigars and if I'm going through all this work for a premium homeroll stems and midribs are filler that the commercial market uses.

 

[Refactored]

Makes sense. Thanks everyone. I suppose that by weight may also be variable depending on water content and/or leaf variety.

 

[Knucklehead]

Makes sense. Thanks everyone. I suppose that by weight may also be variable depending on water content and/or leaf variety.

Factory Name Vitola de Galera	Weight Gram	Ring 64th's Inch	Length mm	Common Name Shape
Almuerzos	7.52	40	130	Corona
Belvederes	6.21	39	125	Short Panetela
Brevas JLP	8.21	42	133	Corona
Británicas	9.34	46	137	Perfecto
Cadetes	5.43	36	115	Short Panetela
Campanas	12.45	52	140	Pyramid
Cañonazo	13.00	52	150	Robusto Extra
Cañonazo	13.00	52	150	Robusto Extra - T
Cañonazo Especial	15.24	52	166	Double Robusto - T
Carlotas	6.39	35	143	Panetela
Cazadores	11.27	43	162	Lonsdale
Cazadores JLP	10.00	43	152	Long Corona
Cervantes	10.80	42	165	Lonsdale
Club	1.10	22	96	Cigarillo
Coloniales	9.18	44	132	Corona - T
Concha No.2	10.61	50	115	Petit Robusto
Conservas JLP	9.20	44	140	Long Corona
Coronas	9.29	42	142	Corona
Coronas Gordas	11.41	46	143	Grand Corona
Coronas Grande	10.14	42	155	Long Corona
Coronitas	6.35	40	117	Petit Corona
Cosacos	8.84	42	135	Corona
Cremas	7.64	40	140	Corona
Cremas JLP	7.59	40	136	Corona
Cristales Mano	9.12	41	150	Long Corona
Culebras	6.67	39	146	Culebra
D No.5	10.35	50	110	Petit Robusto
Dalias	11.86	43	170	Lonsdale
Dalias Cortas	9.42	43	135	Corona
Del Valle	11.66	50	124	Robusto - T
Delicados	10.29	38	192	Long Panetela
Delicados Extra	8.90	36	185	Long Panetela
Deliciosos	6.23	33	159	Slim Panetela
Diademas	21.62	55	233	Giant Perfecto
Dobles	14.58	50	155	Robusto Extra
Dobles	14.58	50	155	Robusto Extra - T
Double Robustos	15.05	50	160	Double Robusto
Duke	14.21	54	140	Robusto Extra
Edmundo	12.34	52	135	Robusto
Eminentes	8.46	42	132	Corona
Entreactos	3.27	30	100	Small Panetela
Exquisitos	9.45	46	145	Perfecto
Favoritos	7.64	42	120	Petit Perfecto
Forum	9.20	46	135	Petit Pyramid
Franciscanos	6.72	40	116	Petit Corona
Franciscos	9.94	44	143	Corona
Generosos	8.91	42	132	Perfecto
Geniales	15.23	54	150	Robusto Extra
Genios	12.45	52	140	Robusto Extra
Gorditos	13.30	50	141	Robusto Extra
Gran Coronas	18.79	47	235	Grand Corona
Hermosos No.1	14.28	48	167	Grand Corona
Hermosos No.3	12.97	48	140	Grand Corona
Hermosos No.4	10.86	48	127	Corona Extra
Julieta No.2	15.07	47	178	Churchill
Laguito Especial	10.29	40	192	Lonsdale
Laguito No.1	10.29	38	192	Long Panetela - T
Laguito No.2	8.15	38	152	Panetela - T
Laguito No.3	2.81	26	115	Small Panetela - T
Laguito No.4	10.96	52	119	Petit Robusto - T
Laguito No.5	14.62	54	144	Robusto Extra - T
Laguito No.6	16.34	56	166	Double Robusto - T
Londres	7.29	40	126	Petit Corona
Magicos	11.24	52	115	Petit Robusto
Magnum 48	9.41	48	110	Corona Extra
Maravillas No.3	17.00	55	155	Robusto Extra
Marevas	8.46	42	129	Petit Corona
Mini	0.80	20	82	Cigarillo
Minutos	7.46	42	110	Petit Corona
Nacionales	8.28	41	140	Corona
Nacionales JLP	8.28	42	134	Corona
Ninfas	7.07	33	178	Slim Panetela
Pacos	15.07	49	180	Double Corona
Palmas	6.76	33	170	Slim Panetela
Palmitas	5.68	32	152	Slim Panetela
Panetelas Largas	5.01	28	175	Slim Panetela
Parejos	8.90	38	166	Panetela
Perlas	5.91	40	102	Petit Corona
Petit Bouquet	6.06	43	101	Petit Perfecto
Petit Cazadores	6.04	43	105	Petit Corona
Petit Cetros	7.04	40	129	Petit Corona
Petit Cetros JLP	6.32	38	127	Short Panetela
Petit Coronas	7.70	42	129	Petit Corona
Petit Edmundo	10.76	52	110	Petit Robusto
Petit Robustos	9.59	50	102	Petit Robusto
Pirámides	14.26	52	156	Pyramid
Pirámides Extra	15.76	54	160	Pyramid Extra
Placeras	5.27	34	125	Small Panetela
Puritos	2.10	29	106	Cigarillo
Prominentes	17.86	49	194	Double Corona
Reyes	6.37	40	110	Petit Corona - T
Robustos	11.66	50	124	Robusto
Rodolfos	17.08	54	180	Double Pyramid
Romeo	13.22	52	162	Perfecto
Salomon	19.80	57	184	Double Perfecto
Secretos	6.37	40	110	Petit Corona
Seoane	5.01	33	126	Small Panetela
Standard	6.90	40	123	Petit Corona
Standard Mano	6.90	40	123	Petit Corona
Tacos	10.79	47	158	Perfecto
Trabucos	5.80	38	110	Short Panetela
Vegueritos	6.10	38	134	Short Panetela

 

[waikikigun]

Here is a 7.5x38 lancero I did with the WLT Azucarado Oscuro blend kit:

 

[Brockelly]

Latest batch wrapped up! This cold dry air isn’t doing much help with the ambient humidity inside. With 3 humidifiers going, my wrappers tend to dry up within a few minutes, so need to work it relatively quickly. Anyways, this blend is one that my lady put together, but I made wrapper changes to see how they compare to the original wrapper (WLT Indonesian Besuki…wish this one was still available!).

All WLT tobacco. 43 ring gauge. 10 of each wrapper.

Wrappers:
-(Left) Dominican CV Corojo Oscuro
-(Center) Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro
-(Right) Dominican Criollo ‘98

Binder:
-Dominican CV PA

Fillers:
-1x Peru Ligero
-1x Dominican Rene Viso
-1x Dominican Rene Seco

View attachment 44398

Where do you get Rene seco

 

[FrostD]

Where do you get Rene seco

Hey @Brockelly , I picked up the Rene Seco from Whole Leaf Tobacco when it was available. They do have some Rene Ligero still on sale.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum, @Brockelly. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. You may wish to scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads, linked in the menu bar.

Part of the joy (and sadness) of exploring unique shipments of tobacco leaf is that they are sometimes just a single bale or two. Once an offering is gone, there is no certainty that it will be available again.

Bob

 

[johnny108]

Welcome to the forum, @Brockelly. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. You may wish to scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads, linked in the menu bar.

Part of the joy (and sadness) of exploring unique shipments of tobacco leaf is that they are sometimes just a single bale or two. Once an offering is gone, there is no certainty that it will be available again.

Bob

Like a declared vintage year of fine wine!

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Alright, not 100% on topic but pretty close. Laser engraved plates for custom cigar bands!

I mentioned the idea of using my laser engraver to make plates for custom cigar bands. After moving, I managed to quickly unpack on of my laser systems and start messing around. Aptly, I decided of the FTT logo as the first target image.

I’m testing settings on cheap aluminum business card blanks. My thought is, depth engrave the negative and positive of the desired image, then press the paper blank between each to achieve the raised edge effect. I’ve only just begun doing 3D depth engraving, but it’s looking promising!

 

[PressuredLeaf]

Alright, not 100% on topic but pretty close. Laser engraved plates for custom cigar bands!

I mentioned the idea of using my laser engraver to make plates for custom cigar bands. After moving, I managed to quickly unpack on of my laser systems and start messing around. Aptly, I decided of the FTT logo as the first target image.

I’m testing settings on cheap aluminum business card blanks. My thought is, depth engrave the negative and positive of the desired image, then press the paper blank between each to achieve the raised edge effect. I’ve only just begun doing 3D depth engraving, but it’s looking promising!


View attachment 51972View attachment 51973

So, I’ve thinking and tinkering with this some more and looking for some ideas. Does metal make the most sense as the stamp material here? On the one hand, I like the durability and the concept of crisp raised and lowered edges, but one might have to press the stamp pretty hard to get that effect. Maybe a piece of rubber behind the band would allow the paper to work its way into the stamp. On the other hand maybe just making an old school stamp out of rubber would be good enough for most people? It would be more of just and image rather than a 3D texture. I think I’m gunna try both, but I’m open to opinions from anyone.

 

[Knucklehead]

What Is Embossing? | Everything You Need To Know About Embossing!

The embossing process produces raised images on paper or other material. But do you know how is embossing done? Find out in this article.

www.michaelpackage.com

Guide To Embossing | LoveCrafts

Are you wondering what is embossing? Or how to emboss paper? Look no further! In our ultimate embossing guide, we show you how to emboss, how to heat emboss and how to emboss using a die-cutting machine.

www.lovecrafts.com

Paper embossing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[PressuredLeaf]

What Is Embossing? | Everything You Need To Know About Embossing!

The embossing process produces raised images on paper or other material. But do you know how is embossing done? Find out in this article.

www.michaelpackage.com

Guide To Embossing | LoveCrafts

Are you wondering what is embossing? Or how to emboss paper? Look no further! In our ultimate embossing guide, we show you how to emboss, how to heat emboss and how to emboss using a die-cutting machine.

www.lovecrafts.com

Paper embossing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This was very helpful, thank you! I ordered some thicker .8mm 304 stainless steel sheet to make proper dyes. I also ordered some rubber blanks for making stamps. From scouring around the google it looks like pressing is pretty important for embossing and debossing paper. I’m thinking my cheap Amazon tortilla press may be up to the job. Worst case scenario, I can always use the shop press.


Laser engraver blasting away on a cheapo aluminum card for prototyping.

 

[FrostD]

It’s been a few weeks as I’ve had quite a bit going on. Injured my left shoulder/side/arm area (which is finally appearing to recover a bit). I’ve also neglected my plants outside a bit during this time (will post an update in my grow blog when I can). My lady and I also have been staging up our current place to sell….as we put an offer in on a house 2 Saturdays ago. The offer was accepted in less than 24 hours! Home closing is Friday, August 16th! This will be my first house! We will have a little bit more land and more space to grow plants & hopefully a kiln once settled in. Anyways, enough of the rambling! My last batch rolled up in current home:

“Luna Rosado”
W-Ecuadorian Rosado
B-Dominican T-13 Viso
F- 1x Dominican CV Corojo Ligero
1x Dominican CV Criollo ‘98 Ligero
1x Dominican Criollo ‘98 Viso
1x Dominican CV Corojo 2006 Seco
1x Dominican Criollo ‘98 Seco

All WLT leaf. 52 ring gauge. Filler all rolled “entubado” style.

Edit: Bottom 8 are short fill left over from the blend in a “Cuban sandwich style”

 

[deluxestogie]

This will be my first house!

Congratulations! See what happens when you roll your own cigars?

Bob

 

[FrostD]

Congratulations! See what happens when you roll your own cigars?

Bob

Exactly Bob! Here’s to many more years as well!

 

[deluxestogie]

A WLT puro:
CT Shade (2006) wrapper and binder
Peru viso and Criollo 98 viso filler

Perfect for relaxing after a large Oreo Blizzard on a hot day.

Bob

 

[FrostD]

A WLT puro:
CT Shade (2006) wrapper and binder
Peru viso and Criollo 98 viso filler

Perfect for relaxing after a large Oreo Blizzard on a hot day.

Bob

Nice Bob! Sounds like a good quick blend! I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Peruvian leaf becomes available again at some point. Fantastic flavors and burn to it that goes well with just about any blend imho.

 

[LanceroEnjoyer]

hi guys , on my 3rd week and I finally had a breakthrough with wrapping. Basically just needed the casing quite damp being in the desert. The previous two weeks I was barely casing my wrappers and binders and was rolling Shar Pei dog lookin sticks, I was being gun shy with it, finally said heck with that after digging around on earlier year “ post your sticks “, found some good suggestions. I am now finally moving on to caps and had some decent mediocre results. I’m trying to knock out about 6 rolls a night and devouring everything I can on here and YT. Here are a few that I’m not that ashamed of. Learning tons from Bliss and MarkL ( rip ) bought his book of pictures one of you published. And a handful of you guys on here as well. Just don’t have your names memorized yet. Thank you. Hope to contribute in future.