FIELD NOTES — ENTRY NO. 04
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The Care Kit
Everything you need, in one place.
Good things last a lifetime only if somebody looks after them. The care is simple, and it takes a few minutes a month.
This is the maintenance side of everything in our other field guides: how to keep leather supple, a humidor steady, a cutter clean, crystal clear, and a smoker ready for the next pour.
Leather
Leather is skin. It dries out, it drinks in oil, and it remembers how it’s treated. Cleaning and conditioning are two different jobs, and most leather needs far less of both than people think.
Patina is the goal, not a problem. The darkening and soft wear on a well-used case is what makes it his.
Clean
As needed- How
- Wipe with a barely damp cloth. For real grime, a little saddle soap worked into a lather, then wiped off.
- Skip
- Soaking it, dish soap, and anything with alcohol.
- Our pick
- Fiebing's yellow saddle soap
Condition
Every 3 to 6 months- How
- Test a small hidden spot first. Rub a thin layer in with a soft cloth, let it sit, then buff off what’s left.
- Skip
- Olive oil and cooking oils. They go rancid and darken leather unevenly.
- Our pick
- Bick 4 conditioner or Double Oak leather balm
Brush
Weekly, or before conditioning- How
- A few quick strokes with a horsehair brush lifts dust and brings back the shine.
- Skip
- Stiff nylon brushes, which scratch the surface.
- Our pick
- Horsehair brush kit
If it gets wet
Right away- How
- Blot it, stuff it with paper to hold its shape, and let it dry slowly at room temperature. Condition once it’s dry.
- Skip
- Hair dryers, heaters, and direct sun. Fast drying cracks leather.
Humidors
Cigars are made in the tropics and want to stay there. A humidor keeps them at a steady humidity so they don’t crack and burn hot when dry, or grow mold when damp.
Don’t overfill. Air needs room to move between the cigars, and a humidor packed to the lid stays dry in the middle.
The target
Check weekly- Humidity
- 65 to 72 percent. Most smokers settle around 69.
- Temperature
- 65 to 70°F. Above about 75°F, tobacco beetles can hatch.
- Placement
- Away from windows, heaters and air vents.
Seasoning a new humidor
Once, before the first cigar- Why
- New Spanish cedar is thirsty. Unseasoned, it pulls moisture out of your cigars.
- How
- Close a high-humidity seasoning pack inside for about two weeks, then switch to your regular packs.
- Our pick
- Boveda seasoning and starter kit
Keeping it steady
Replace packs when they harden- How
- Two-way humidity packs add or absorb moisture as needed, so there’s no guessing.
- Skip
- Tap water in old sponge humidifiers. Use distilled water if you use one at all.
- Our pick
- Boveda 69% packs, size 60
Trust your gauge
Calibrate twice a year- Why
- Cheap hygrometers drift. A gauge that reads 70 when the box is at 60 will dry out a whole collection.
- How
- Seal the hygrometer in a calibration pouch for 24 hours. It should read 75. Note the difference and adjust.
- Our pick
- Digital hygrometer and a calibration kit
Cigar cutters
Most cutters don’t really get dull. They get gummed up. Tobacco resin builds on the blades until they drag and tear the wrapper instead of slicing it.
Clean the blades
Every few cigars- How
- Wipe both sides of the blades with an alcohol prep pad, open and close a few times, and let it dry.
- Skip
- Running it under water, which can rust the spring.
- Our pick
- 70% alcohol prep pads
Use it only for cigars
Always- Why
- Cutting string, tags or packaging nicks the edge for good.
- How
- Store it closed, in a pocket or case, so the blades aren’t knocking against keys.
Sharpen or replace
When cleaning doesn’t help- Why
- Double guillotine blades aren’t easy to sharpen at home. A clean, straight cut matters more than saving an old cutter.
- How
- Check the maker’s warranty first. XIKAR stands behind its cutters, which is part of why we recommend them.
- Our pick
- XIKAR Xi2
Crystal glass
Crystal is softer than everyday glass, and the cuts that make it sparkle also trap water spots.
If you keep whiskey in a crystal decanter, pour it back into the bottle after a few days. Spirits shouldn’t sit in lead crystal for long.
Wash by hand
Every time- How
- Warm water, a drop of mild soap, and a soft sponge. Rinse well.
- Skip
- The dishwasher. Heat and detergent etch crystal and leave it permanently cloudy.
Dry right away
Every time- How
- Dry and polish with a lint-free cloth while the glass is still warm, so water spots never form.
- Our pick
- Lint-free glass cloths
Store upright
Always- Why
- The rim is the thinnest, most fragile part of the glass. Resting it on the rim invites chips.
Cocktail smokers
A smoker stays sweet-smelling and quick to light with about thirty seconds of care after each use.
After each use
Once it’s cool- How
- Tap out the ash and brush the mesh screen clean so the next batch of chips lights evenly.
- Our pick
- Replacement mesh and brush
Wood chips
Ongoing- How
- Store chips in a sealed jar so they stay dry and keep their scent. Damp chips smolder and taste bitter.
- Our pick
- Cocktail smoker wood chips
Common Questions
How often should I condition leather?
Every three to six months is plenty for most leather goods. Test a small hidden spot first, rub in a thin layer with a soft cloth, let it sit, then buff off what's left. Cleaning and conditioning are separate jobs, and most leather needs less of both than people think.
What humidity should a humidor be kept at?
Between 65 and 72 percent, with most smokers settling around 69. Keep the temperature between 65 and 70°F, since tobacco beetles can hatch above about 75°F, and check the gauge weekly.
How do I season a new humidor?
Before the first cigar goes in, close a high-humidity seasoning pack inside for about two weeks, then switch to regular two-way humidity packs. New Spanish cedar is thirsty, and an unseasoned box will pull moisture out of your cigars.
How do I clean a cigar cutter?
Wipe both sides of the blades with an alcohol prep pad every few cigars, open and close it a few times, and let it dry. Most cutters don't really get dull; they get gummed up with tobacco resin. Don't run one under water, which can rust the spring.
How do I keep crystal glasses from getting cloudy?
Wash them by hand in warm water with a drop of mild soap, then dry and polish with a lint-free cloth while the glass is still warm. Dishwasher heat and detergent etch crystal and leave it permanently cloudy.
THE SOCIETY’S GIFTING NOTES
For the one who takes care of his things.
TIER 1
Under $15
A bottle of good leather conditioner. The add-on that makes any leather gift complete.
Our pick: Bick 4 conditioner
TIER 2
$15 to $30
A humidity kit for the cigar man, so his collection stays right without guesswork.
Our pick: the Boveda starter kit
How to give it: pair the care with the thing it cares for. A cigar case with a tin of conditioner, or a humidor with its first humidity packs, shows you thought past the bow.
