Why do we keep cigar bands?

[cbenham73]

I am relatively young in the cigar aficionado arena. From day one I noticed that is customary to keep your bands. What is the significance of keeping the bands of the cigars you smoke? Is it to have a history of the cigars you have smoked?

[wineguy]

I don't save mine.....

[MD Puffer]

Some folks collect them- some can become quite collectible and valuable (to some people).  Like @wineguy, I don't collect mine.  Last thing I want is a reminder of how much I've spent on cigars sitting around...

[unclepauly25]

I think it’s personal preference. Some people save them to make a journal of the cigar they smoked along with a description. I save mine and put them in a clear jar because I think they are little works of art, I’m a printing press operator by trade, so I appreciate how beautiful they are and all the work that went into making them. I save all my empty boxes too. 

[DeskSmkr]

Being a novice, I’m intrigued by keeping bands from cigars I liked and want to revisit.  I wasn’t aware of any custom to keep them, however there is a lot I don’t know.

[Bri Fi]

Habanos S.A. likes to put two or three bands on my cigars so why not. Jk. I have seen some cool man cave designs with a wet bar having cigar bands under glass as he bar top. Maybe one day, but not anytime soon. Until then, I collect in a mason jar and put that on top of my desktop humidor. 

[Hollywood Ninja]

I'm relatively new to smoking cigars, so I keep my bands in a journal where I document what I smoked, when I smoked it, where I smoked it and just a couple tasting notes.  It's been helpful to see how a cigar progresses  especially as I'm now completely obsessed with aging Cubans.

Some folks I know rip the band off before they even smoke the cigar which for me seems to diminish part of the fun.  Aside from wrapper and wrap quality, there are no identifying markers on these products, so to form strong associations with palette and brand, I feel like keeping the band on (until it's just about to burn off) is key for me at least.

[stogieluver]

I used to keep them.  Had thousands.  All unbroken.  Stopped about two or three years ago.  Threw all but just a few away.  Just got tired of keeping up with them, especially when away from my house to get them back home. 

[Stump89]

Just keep them for no reason really. I think they look cool in various glasses.  Pardon the mess there in the background lol!

[Baccy]

I've never really saved them but I may start, lol... They do look pretty sweet in that brandy glass!

[targa88]

Only kept a few...

[tsolomon]

I don't keep them, but by the time I get one off it isn't worth keeping.  

[kalibratecuba]

Does anyone keep the silk ribbons?



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[cfc1016]

Good question, @cbenham73. When I started smoking as a kid, I collected bands and boxes. Thought of them like mementos. Now, I find myself tossing them into a tupperware container when I'm done with them. No good reason why, really. I'm not liable to go sifting through there, find one in particular, and think 'ah yes... february 23rd, 2019. That was a delightful cigar'. Conversely, I have a few labels in the door handle of my car. These are from cigars I smoked on my move from DC to alaska. I pretty much splurged the whole way - only smoked my 'special occasion' cigars, as that drive was quite a special occasion. Each of those labels will take me back to strong memories.

[JohnS]

One reason is because it makes a great art piece to hang on your wall! But other than that...umm, I can't think of too many other reasons!

 

[madandana]

I save mine because my wife will always come up with some kraft Idea for stuff. Not only that but I’m a bit of a pack rat. I save everything. Here’s some frames she made.

[Shelby07]

Because we all have artistic projects we’re going to get around to someday.

 

[mtd057]

For the same reason I keep corks.   To commemorate special occasions, great bottles, or just to remember my thoughts on that particular day.  I have way more corks than I have cigar bands!  

[Connoisseur Kim]

I collect them as Cigar bands are unique and awesome in my eyes! ?

[Piligrim]

I know an artist who uses cigar bands making her art

 

[smokum]

They are nice little reminders. My kids can throw them out when I croak !

[smokum]

3 minutes ago, Piligrim said:

I know an artist who uses cigar bands making her art

 

Beautiful

[irratebass]

I kept mine for my 1st year of smoking, I had one rule......I had to smoke the cigar, I couldn't take anyone else's band. After that 1st year I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but a regular at the shop I worked at his wife proposed putting them on a small humidor I had, I agreed, and it turned out beautifully. Will have to snap a pic, but I don't collect them anymore. 

[Wilzc]

As proof that I’m a baller and I’ve smoked through thousands of dollars of cigars.

Also as proof that I am an aficionado and I am a voice of authority in cigars as I have sampled every cigar known to man.


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[Derboesekoenig]

14 minutes ago, Wilzc said:

As proof that I’m a baller and I’ve smoked through thousands of dollars of cigars.

Also as proof that I am an aficionado and I am a voice of authority in cigars as I have sampled every cigar known to man.


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The Southpark episode "Smug Alert!" came to mind when I read that ?

If you aren't familiar it's where they got off on sniffing their own farts and everyone in town drove a Prius