Most cigar tools are self-explanatory, like a lighter or cutter. But some, well let’s just say they require a little more knowledge of cigars in general before you can make use of them. An excellent example of this is the PerfecDraw or cigar needle.
A PerfecDraw and cigar needles are the same thing. The former is essentially a brand, a well-known brand, that makes cigar tools and cigar needles. The Perfec is a patented design of the tool in a longer, standalone form. Cigar needles, on the other hand, are more generic and may come as a separate tool or included with other tools — like a multi-functional torch lighter.
Both tools are draw enhancers. In simple terms, that means they loosen up the internal tobacco to provide a more streamlined draw. When you puff or smoke, you’ll get better airflow, which produces more smoke and, usually, more flavor with it.
You don’t just want to jam the needle or tool into the end of the cigar and start grinding away, however. That may loosen up the tobacco too much, remove filler you don’t want to take out, or damage the cigar entirely. There’s an art to it and really the best way to understand is to watch someone experienced work their magic.
Cigar needles are usually multi-functional, so you can use them for more than just opening the draw. You can also use them as a cigar holder or to smoke a nub. When you smoke the cigar all the way down to nub size, it’s tough to hold, but sometimes that’s the best and most flavorful part of the cigar. You stab the needle into the cigar and hold it up so you can continue smoking without burning your fingers.
How do you use a cigar needle?
The video above is age-restricted, so you’ll have to head over to YouTube to watch it. Still, I’m going to describe how to use the tool:
Cut your cigar like normal.
Gently insert the cigar needle into the end you cut — the head of the cigar. Twist it slightly as you insert the needle.
Start small by pressing the needle about one inch to two-inches in.
As you remove the needle, be sure to pull straight out (don’t twist) to withdraw the tobacco that’s essentially been cut away. It may make a small mess, so make sure you have an ash tray or bowl handy to scoop up the excess.
Take a cold draw and see if the airflow is to your liking. If it is, you’re done. If it’s still tight and you want to open it up more, insert the cigar needle again, this time pressing it further in.
What you’re basically doing is boring a small hole through the center of the cigar, creating a cylindrical pocket of air. As you withdraw the needle, it removes some of the tobacco, but only in very small increments. That space essentially allows more air to flow through the cigar and out through the head where you are drawing the smoke. It works a little differently than using a punch cut because you’re actually removing some of the tobacco inside the cigar versus around the head.
Bear in mind, you don’t want to ham fist or jam the needle into the cigar. The trick is to be as gentle as possible and use a light touch.
Why would you want to use a PerfecDraw or cigar needle?
The tools open up or loosen the draw. A tight draw means it’s hard to pull the smoke through the cigar and it can make for a very unpleasant smoke. You have to do more work to get flavorful smoke to flow through. Some people like a tight draw, others don’t. If you’re in the latter camp, then a PerfecDraw or cigar needle is a fantastic tool to keep around.
One of the neat aspects of choosing generic cigar needles is there are a ton of different styles. I even found a brass Scorpion one.
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: PerfecDraw
Source: Amazon
