While the last two Friday Brand Features covered some excellent yet underrated cigar brands, including Drunk Chicken Cigars and Lovely Cigars, this week’s feature will be a bit different. This time around we’re taking a closer look at Los Angeles-based Cigar Daggers.
Cigar Daggers are uniquely designed and beautifully-handcrafted cigar nubbers, made out of a variety of materials, like .925 sterling silver, gemstones, crystal, wood, bone, brass, and beyond. They’re made to last, but also, they’re made to standout. Skulls, dragons, kings, lions, you name it, there’s a unique cigar nubber in their coffers for you.
But these guys also specialize in a lot more. For example, they have their own premium cigars, as well. Notables to mention are the Royal Blood — which comes in a gift box with a dagger — and The Insider. I have not had the chance to try the cigars yet, but they sound interesting. The Insider is medium to full-bodied with an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Indonesian binder, and undisclosed (mysterious) fillers.
That’s enough with the introductions, however. Light yourself a stogie, grab a cold drink and let’s dive in for real.
Based out of Los Angeles, California, as noted above, Cigar Daggers was launched in 2019. At the helm were self-proclaimed “artists, designers and cigar enthusiasts,” who noticed that premium cigar nubbers were not commonplace.
A nubber, just in case you need a primer, is similar to a cigar needle. Only they’re not inherently used to open up the draw of a cigar. They’re used as a makeshift holder when the cigar burns down to a less manageable form factor. You jab the sharp, pointy end into the cigar so you can hold it up to your mouth and continue smoking. They’re a must-have if you want to get the absolute most out of your smoking experience.
If you’ve ever had a cigar that you just couldn’t put down, and don’t want to, you’ll know exactly what I mean. You puff on that beast right down to a nub, until it’s pretty damn close to searing your fingers, lips and tongue. These Cigar Daggers allow you to do that without burning anything. I’d say that’s a huge boon.
According to the brand, they excelled at making these nifty devices and “did such a great job at reinventing the cigar nubber that it has since become synonymous with the object it represents.”
“Cigar Dagger was also the very first company to make cigar nubbers with heads, from cigar smoking skulls, to dragons, kings, lions and everything in between.” While I haven’t verified those claims, one look at the Cigar Dagger collection tells you all you need to know. They are indeed unique, well-crafted and stunning.
When it’s a cigar maker, we normally focus on where the cigars are made. Yes, these guys do have premium cigars they offer, but we’re highlighting the daggers first and foremost. So, instead, we’ll consider some of the other gear they offer. Spoiler Alert: It’s a lot.
Of course, there’s merch, too, if you want to rep the brand with a tee. King of the Leaf is the brand’s sister site, I’m assuming from the same team — that’s also where you’ll find the Cigar Dagger cigars.
There’s no mention on either site who exactly the brilliant minds are behind these brands. I did track down a few names, but since they didn’t disclose I won’t be a snitch. Maybe I’ll get the chance to talk to some of them. For now, let’s settle with the information we have and these absolutely fucking badass nubbers. Seriously, I can’t get enough of these designs.
Cigar Dagger prices range from about $15 to $80 for the most elegant designs. Most of the good ones fall between the $50 and $70 range. Accessories, if you’re into those, range from about $7 for the cheapest lighter up to $175 for all-leather cases. Some of the brand’s more hot-ticket items are sold out, as well. That obsidian stone ashtray is something else.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
Source: Cigar Dagger
Source: Cigar Dagger
Source: Cigar Dagger
Source: Cigar Dagger
