Antique wooden mold, with a surprise.

[StoneCarver]

So, I just bought this antique wooden mold from ebay. Notice anything weird about it? The pictures provided by the seller didn't really show the whole mold. So I did buy it on a bit of faith and hope, and wasn't sure what all I'd be getting. I got lucky. Its actually in really good shape with only minor signs of wear and tear. I'm sure some of you are aware that antique wooden molds can be a bit beat up and hence not really usable particularly in regards to the upper part of the mold having bits of wood broken off. I also wasn't sure the cigar length and ring size of the mold. I was relieved to find that the length and ring size is the size I like.


Anyone want a hint as to what's weird about this cigar mold?


It came with 3 cigars in it. Its safe to say these cigars have been aged real well. They might even be older than any of us. Of course, they still need wrappers. The binders are a bit damaged but a good wrapper ought to take care of that. They went straight into my humidor as they are understandably bone dry. How long do you think I should give them to rehumidify? How would you rehumidify a very old bone dry cigar? Would you even smoke them or donate them to a museum?

 

[green_bean]

Might slit one of those sob's open first to see what's in it.

 

[StoneCarver]

I was thinking of doing a forensic study. I don't know if I'll have the nerve to cut any open. However, I will carefully study the binder and how they wrapped them- after they're humidified a bit. Right now they are too crispy dry.

 

[jackpine]

Good find!, I like the way it can press without weight or a press.

 

[StoneCarver]

I'd been keeping my eye out for one of these ever since seeing one of Bob's cigar rolling videos on youtube where he had one of these that he uses. The latch does work just fine but is a bit rusty. Last night, I dry scrubbed the inside and out of this mold and clouds of dust and rust billowed up off of it. That's one reason I'm not so very excited about smoking the cigars that were in it. I probably will eventually but not any time soon. They got time to resuscitate.

Tonight, I'll try scrubbing with hydrogen peroxide and a scotch brite pad. I was thinking of washing it with oxalic acid (BarKeeper's Friend), maybe the outside. After it dries out, I'll apply some honey bee propolis dissolved in alcohol: that will sanitize and seal up the wood a bit. I won't apply the propolis all over it. Still thinking it through.

 

[deluxestogie]

scotch brite pad

I would not be inclined to use an abrasive pad within the molds. Perhaps a simple sponge, softened, but not wet.

Bob