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

 

[StoneCarver]

I ended up working late clinic last night. So, no cleaning of any kind was done. Maybe tonight. Maybe next month. I'm in no hurry.
I know it I didn't express it very clearly but the moist cleaning I referred to above was strictly for the outside.
But I do need to figure out how to sanitize the molds themselves. One of them has bird droppings in it. Dry scrubbing with the toothbrush got most of it out. but it needs more work. I'm well aware that wet wood doesn't necessarily dry out to the same size and shape it was before it got wet.

My main priority for it right now is to do some electrolytic rust removal on the hinge and latch bits. I can't seem to find the sodium carbonate I used to use for electrolytic rust removal. I have that stuff left over from when I used to restore antique campstoves but I can't find it anymore. I guess I need to make a trip to the grocery store. Sodium carbonate can be found in Arm&Hammer laundry detergent.

 

[DaleB]

Sodium carbonate can be found in Arm&Hammer laundry detergent.

It can also be found in sodium bicarbonate, with a little heat applied. Or so I've been told.