Quality Humidor

[rodwha]

I've read that those cheaper humidors ought be looked past as they just aren't built well and "leak." At what point does affordability and quality converge? Would it be fair to say $1/stick count is a fair humidor built well enough?

Is it a brand thing that constitutes a good deal? Im not looking for ornate but do want a nice looking glass top for the desk.

[Billb1960]

Sounds like a question for Kayla cheaphumidors

[droy1958]

I HAD a Diamond Crown that I was happy with. It's floating around in Galveston Bay after Hurricane Ike, but I'm sure there's many more that are just as good....

[Mr Jones]

I would go with a Savoy.

[Big Bull]

Glass tops can be a humidity nightmare. I would honestly go with a solid box.

[UncleFesterESQ]

If you go with glass, make sure you add some sealant. The word on the street is the majority of glass top humidors have leak issues. They are beautiful as hell IMHO.

[HTML5 Gordon]

I would go with a Savoy.

I agree with this. Savoy is a great humidor that still won't break the budget (but will be more than your $1 per stick estimate). Very well made, easy to season, and I have never had one with a leak. Best mass produced option, IMO.

[rodwha]

Is this an issue with most any humidor (glass leaking)? How do you fix it without jacking it up (don't want to see silicone seams)?

I can certainly handle a solid box if necessary. I'd like an easy box that doesn't need a lot of work done to it to make it work well.

Looking at what CI offers I'm guessing they are sub par (glass tops).

[JollyRogers]

I've heard use clear aquarium sealant, or maybe something like this: DAP Household-Waterproof-Adhesive-2-8-Ounce (http://www.amazon.com/00688-Household-Waterproof-Adhesive-2-8-Ounce/dp/B000KE4PBQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1429667962&sr=8-2&keywords=clear+food+grade+silicone+sealant)

I remember ammodors had a recommendation in another thread, maybe they'll chime in.

[OtismyMan]

If you decide on a solid box (no glass top) check out Daniel Marshall Humidors. They are American made and are top notch, and you pay for it. However, they have "Private Stock" (scratch and dent) that they offer at a big discount. I have one and am extremely satisfied. I really can't find anything wrong with it that would make it "Private Stock" and have heard others say the same about theirs. If you send them an email and ask what "Private Stock" is available they will email you back with the current stock and prices.

[cheaphumidors]

We did a study on glass top humidors using colored smoke bombs:

http://http://www.cheaphumidors.com/blog/humidors/do-glass-top-humidors-work-as-well-as-wood-top-humidors/

I agree, SOME glass top humidors are sub par and leak. I got a sample once where the glass imply sat in a groove on the top lip, no seal at all. I always expect a small amount of air exchange in any wooden humidor, which turns out to be a good thing as it cuts down on the mildew smell. However, glass top humidors should still be able to maintain humidity fairly easily.

[Dijit]

I had a glass top for years. It worked great but I had to do some work to it. Clear aquarium caulk/seal is easy to use and make look good with little or no lines visible depending on how the glass is placed in the lid. I have to admit I bought mine at Sam's club for next to nothing and had very low hopes of how well it would work but I did much the same as you are doing now and asked for help and opinions. I chose the advice I could afford and accomplish on my own and was very pleased in the long run. That humidor now sits with a fellow BOTL in KY that is relatively new to the hobby and still keeps good humidity.

[Zeede]

If you decide on a solid box (no glass top) check out Daniel Marshall Humidors. They are American made and are top notch, and you pay for it. However, they have "Private Stock" (scratch and dent) that they offer at a big discount. I have one and am extremely satisfied. I really can't find anything wrong with it that would make it "Private Stock" and have heard others say the same about theirs. If you send them an email and ask what "Private Stock" is available they will email you back with the current stock and prices.

Ooh, and they're local for me!

[StogieNinja]

$1/stick isn't a great benchmark, especially at smaller sizes. a $30 30-ct humidor is going to be a "Quality Importers" cheapo Chinese humidor, with a razor-thin, unfinished bottom and the results will be inconsistent at best.

There are lots of places that do good business selling these types of humidors, and occasionally they work out. In fact, just about anything will work if you are willing to constantly add humidity, but the fluctuating levels aren't great for storing cigars, and I prefer not to have to deal with the hassle of constantly checking humidity levels and having to add it on a regular basis, and the potentially detrimental effects of fluctuating humidity levels.

Personally, in terms of bang-for-buck, I say that a cooler or tupperware is the way to go for inexpensive cigar storage. I have a tupperware that hasn't needed a new Boveda in over a year. My wineadors need to have the KL charged perhaps three or four times a year, and the bovedas I keep in there recharge themselves by absorbing any extra humidity.

Wood humidors are pretty, but will always be more hassle than a less-traditional but much-more-effective solution like a coolidor, tupperdore, or wineador.

If you're dead set on a wood humidor, don't look for price, look for a quality manufacturer that comes well recommended. Daniel Marshall, Savoy, and custom builders like Ed at Waxing Moon have good reputations. I don't have any of them because the price is too high for what I need, but I know a lot of folks that recommend all three.

[Billb1960]

We did a study on glass top humidors using colored smoke bombs:

http://http://www.cheaphumidors.com/blog/humidors/do-glass-top-humidors-work-as-well-as-wood-top-humidors/

I agree, SOME glass top humidors are sub par and leak. I got a sample once where the glass imply sat in a groove on the top lip, no seal at all. I always expect a small amount of air exchange in any wooden humidor, which turns out to be a good thing as it cuts down on the mildew smell. However, glass top humidors should still be able to maintain humidity fairly easily.

Link no worky

[Frankenstein]

Link no worky

the http:// got in there twice... just edit it in your browser, OR....

http://www.cheaphumidors.com/blog/humidors/do-glass-top-humidors-work-as-well-as-wood-top-humidors/

[ChiefIlliniwek]

+1 for going with a humidor that has a quality name behind it. I have a cheapo 50 count that leaks humidity during the winter, plus a 250 count Salvador from Prestige Import, which does a pretty solid job. This winter I broke down and made my first coolidor, which also now houses the cheapo 50 count. If I buy another desktop, I'll spring for a Savoy.

[UncleFesterESQ]

If you're dead set on a wood humidor, don't look for price, look for a quality manufacturer that comes well recommended. Daniel Marshall, Savoy, and custom builders like Ed at Waxing Moon have good reputations. I don't have any of them because the price is too high for what I need, but I know a lot of folks that recommend all three.
I think I'm the only guy that has had a poor experience with Ed at Waxing Moon. My lid has always had a small visual gap on one end.... paid for bead holders and never received them after months of emails.... Sorry. Just my experience :(

If money's tight, go with Savoy. That is all.

[Zeede]

I think for me it'd be a Savoy or one of the ding and dent Daniel Marshalls.

[cheaphumidors]

I think for me it'd be a Savoy or one of the ding and dent Daniel Marshalls.

Savoys are wonderful, especially for the price. They really focus on the details... like dovetail corners, SAWEET

[rodwha]

Thanks for the new link! The original didn't work for me either, but I wasn't certain if it was due to using my phone as my computer is down.

[ChiefIlliniwek]

I think I'm the only guy that has had a poor experience with Ed at Waxing Moon. My lid has always had a small visual gap on one end.... paid for bead holders and never received them after months of emails.... Sorry. Just my experience :(

If money's tight, go with Savoy. That is all.

I'm not speaking from personal experience, but you're not the only one. There were a few threads on other forums regarding various issues two or three years ago. I haven't seen any of these lately, so maybe his issues are resolved. I don't know, I'm just throwing it out there.