What Christmas presents did you treat yourself to?

[99call]

So I finally found myself a scratch/chip free Lalique 'Philappines' for the right price. Less an ashtray more a work of art. Or at least I think so. The first comment upon seeing from my Missus was, "why is there a breast implant on the kitchen table?" Kind of killed my buzz wave a little bit!

 

 

 

[JohnnyChong]

DuPont Big D! Beautiful!

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[Chibearsv]

At $199, I couldn't pass on it.

[Ford2112]

[asudevil08]

53 minutes ago, Ford2112 said:

its the gift that keeps on giving.  Diarrhea 

[ha_banos]

Wife was none too impressed when I said we need to stop spending so much money needlessly over December... 😬

[Chas.Alpha]

1 hour ago, Ford2112 said:

3# of Blind Robins. Smoked, dried and salted herring filets! 😀

[Tunkat92]

6 minutes ago, ha_banos said:

we need to stop spending so much money needlessly over December

I really don’t understand the “needlessly” part, its a box of King of Norths…most definitely needs.

[ha_banos]

20 minutes ago, Tunkat92 said:

I really don’t understand the “needlessly” part, its a box of King of Norths…most definitely needs.

Exactly. Less needless spending means more cigars ☺️

[Chibearsv]

3 hours ago, Chas.Alpha said:

3# of Blind Robins. Smoked, dried and salted herring filets! 😀

This all seems very familiar 🤔

[Chas.Alpha]

12 minutes ago, Chibearsv said:

This all seems very familiar 🤔

…and the wheels go ‘round and ‘round…

[Glass Half Full]

A couple of months ago, I bought this beautiful book called, "Modern Rum," which I'd learned about (thankfully) from FOH.  

https://www.wonkpress.com/products/modern-caribbean-rum

...Well, my wife intercepted the book upon its arrival, and I never saw it again.  ...That is, until Xmas morning when it was wrapped up under the tree as a gift to me from her 89 year old father  

The best part is that it really was a gift (from my wife via her dad) as her father had been insisting to her for the last month that he wanted to buy me a "really good cigar," ...which he would have gotten from the local liquor store  

I am so happy to have that book (and not the random store cigar).  It really is a wonderful book.   

 

[TheLandCC]

I treated myself to a new ashtray and lighter (not shown) - still scouring the globe for some diplo pcc 30s.

[BrightonCorgi]

On 1/4/2024 at 6:56 AM, JohnnyChong said:

DuPont Big D! Beautiful!

Where does that say it's made? Hard to read.

[jazzboypro]

I think it says China.

[TheFullMontecristo]

https://www.fohcigars.com/forum/topic/123486-st-dupont-extreme-lighter-made-in-china/

[JohnnyChong]

Where does that say it's made? Hard to read.

China. Same with the Maxijet


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[BrightonCorgi]

1 hour ago, JohnnyChong said:

China. Same with the Maxijet

Is that an authentic ST Dupont?  I thought they were all made in France?

[Fugu]

23 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

Is that an authentic ST Dupont?  I thought they were all made in France?

Yep, like Johnny said, China. All torches since quite some time. I got a Defi Xxtreme - top-notch build quality with minimum tolerances. (In fact, today, in many technical / technological fields, I’d pick Chinese-made over French anytime 😁. *)

I remember having read somewhere that even the Ligne lighters have never been made to full depth of manufacture in France. But that instead internals were subcontracted from Japan (Ishmitzu Metal Works). But unable to find that info now. So take that as unconfirmed.

* Edit: Still, it’s in S.T. Dupont‘s responsibility to closely oversee production, and eventually, the high production quality will certainly be owing to them and their standards.

[El Presidente]

6 hours ago, Fugu said:

Yep, like Johnny said, China. All torches since quite some time. I got a Defi Xxtreme - top-notch build quality with minimum tolerances. (In fact, today, in many technical / technological fields, I’d pick Chinese-made over French anytime 😁. *)

I remember having read somewhere that even the Ligne lighters have never been made to full depth of manufacture in France. But that instead internals were subcontracted from Japan (Ishmitzu Metal Works). But unable to find that info now. So take that as unconfirmed.

* Edit: Still, it’s in S.T. Dupont‘s responsibility to closely oversee production, and eventually, the high production quality will certainly be owing to them and their standards.

Chinese manufacturing gets a bum steer. They can make a $2 item or a $200 item, to your order specs. The problem is that most western entrepreneurs order the cheaper specs (lower price) and the resultant "quality" complaints become a stain on Chinese manufacturing. I manufacture products in China (non cigar related) and I could certainly save 40% on manufacturing quality if I wanted. The end decision is mine (and my fellow directors). 

[99call]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Chinese manufacturing gets a bum steer. They can make a $2 item or a $200 item, to your order specs. The problem is that most western entrepreneurs order the cheaper specs (lower price) and the resultant "quality" complaints become a stain on Chinese manufacturing. I manufacture products in China (non cigar related) and I could certainly save 40% on manufacturing quality if I wanted. The end decision is mine (and my fellow directors). 

Yep. If you want to get a huge fine art bronze sculpture cast i.e. public art. China will do it for much cheaper than the UK, and 95% similar quality. Not only that but will also throw in 2x fortnight holidays in 5star hotels to China. Visit the foundry where it's being made etc etc, hard to turn down.

When it comes to artisan products however, places like Japan and Europe/UK are hard to beat in terms of that last 5% of quality. You're dealing with obsessed craftspeople who will go the extra mile just because of their own personal standards. It's nothing to do with money.

[BrightonCorgi]

A childhood friend of mine use to run ST Dupont about 15-20 years ago.  He's probably out of the loop on their current manufacturing.  Oddly, he's not into cigars either.

[Fugu]

5 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Chinese manufacturing gets a bum steer. They can make a $2 item or a $200 item, to your order specs. The problem is that most western entrepreneurs order the cheaper specs (lower price) and the resultant "quality" complaints become a stain on Chinese manufacturing. I manufacture products in China (non cigar related) and I could certainly save 40% on manufacturing quality if I wanted. The end decision is mine (and my fellow directors). 

Absolutely! That’s my experience as well.

[clone1008]

New bigger humidor, Raching MON3800. Should be here next week.

[Chitmo]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:55 AM, ha_banos said:

Wife was none too impressed when I said we need to stop spending so much money needlessly over December... 😬

Not sure about your wife, but mine outdoes my needles spending 3-4x. If I buy an expensive box I make concessions and lower spending elsewhere. She wants all the cake though. 😂