So What's The Handcrafted Humidor Difference?
You are probably an informed consumer like most, and every dollar you earn should be well spent. Over this page we would like to take you on a journey from the complete construction of a Vanderburgh Humidor, and also some things to look out for when selecting a humidor. If you are looking for a cheap humidor, this is not the place.
There is a difference. A big difference. Listed below are some reasons not to buy a cheap humidor. Instead buy a great humidor once, a fine custom handcrafted humidor from Vanderburgh Humidors. And, some of our humidors are priced so they won't 'break the bank'. Owning a custom handcrafted humidor could be well within your reach.
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT BUY A CHEAP HUMIDOR:
1. Wood Quality on your Handcrafted Humidor.
- Solid Exotic Woods vs. Veneer
Most humidors built today are made by taking an inexpensive base material for their box (like plywood or an inexpensive wood) and overlaying the outside with a very thin piece of veneer (usually around 1/32"). This is not a bad thing, but in our opinion, lacks the character and pizzaz of a fine handcrafted humidor. At Vanderburgh Humidors, unless otherwise noted, we craft our humidors out of solid exotic woods. This means the main body of the humidor is usually 3/4" thick with solid exotic woods. The only time we would use veneer on our humidors is on a decorative inlay, but even in this case we would usually make the inlay by hand from solids.
- Solid Spanish Cedar Lining
Many humidors contain a spanish cedar lining, but is only applied at a very thin veneer (a veneer at 1/32"). Since Spanish Cedar has some notable qualities that would include:
- - Spanish Cedar has a natural ability to absorb moisture, stabilizing your humidor.
- - Spanish Cedar repels the dreaded tobacco beetle which can infest the cigars in your humidor.
- - Spanish Cedar provides an appealing scent to the cigarsin your humidor during the aging process.
- Spanish Cedar acts as a moisture buffer, allowing the humidor to return to the desired humidity level quickly after the humidor has been opened.
Because of these reasons, Vanderburgh Humidors uses a minimum 1/4" thick Spanish Cedar lining on the inside of our humidors. Rather than a thin veneer (only 1/32"), our Spanish Cedar lining will provide all of the unique benefits of this quality wood to your custom handcrafted humidor.
2. Premium Hardware on your Handcrafted Humidor
Hardware plays a large role, not only in the overall expense of the humidor but in the functionality of the humidor itself. Many cheap humidors are built with cheap, stamped hardware fastened by tacks or staples. Vanderburgh Humidors uses only premium solid brass hardware to allow a sure and long term reliable seal for your humidor. The hardware that we purchase costs us more than some entire cheap humidor. We wouldnt do this if we didnt know the long-term benefits.
3. Humidification Systems for your Custom Humidor
Many humidors will come with their own humidification system built in. Most of them are flower shop-grade sponges that require water saturation. These are not only ineffective, but they are inaccurate and misleading and may lead your cigars down a path of destruction. Foam style humidifiers are very unpredictable and can mold, and are unreliable. At Vanderburgh Humidors, we offer a few high-quality and reliable suggestions for accurate and worry-free humidification.
Vanderburgh Humidors Approved Humidification Systems:
- - RH Beads or Humidity Beads. We are very fond of the RH Beads, and have found that they work extremely well. RH Beads are modified silica gel that absorbs AND desorbs moisture as required. The RH Beads control humidity almost like magic. We will install the bead humidification system in a classy Spanish Cedar faced aluminum container to control humidity for your humidor. RH Beads are available from Cigarmony, and Humidity Beads are available from Heartfelt Industries.
- - Electronic Humidification. We also approve of the CigarSpa electronic humidification system. Please visit the CigarSpa website for more details.
In any case, we will be sure that you are not only getting a beautifully handcrafted cigar humidor, but that your total cigar aging and storing solution will work for your lifestyle, budget and needs. Any one of our approved humidification systems can be perfectly integrated into your custom handcrafted humidor design.
4. Hygrometers on your Handcrafted Humidor.
Although analogue or dial style hygrometers may look visually aesthetic, most of them (even the most expensive ones) can be very innaccurate by up to 15%. This can be detrimental for cigar storage in your humidor. We always recommend a high quality digital hygrometer for properly monitoring the internal RH (relative humidity) of your custo handcrafted humidor. A combination of a high quality humidification device, and high quality digital hygrometer will keep your custom handcrafted humidor operating in perfect condition, and give you worry free cigar storage and cigar preservation.
5. Wood Finish. 12+ coats of Hand-Applied Finish on your Custom, Handcrafted Humidor!
At Vanderburgh Custom Humidors, we treat our humidors like fine furniture. All of our humidors are finished by hand. Hand-finishing augments the subtle grain and character - or 'chatoyance'- in exotic woods. Hand finishing our humidors with special oils and varnishes makes the exotic wood grain 'pop out' and give a visual 3D effect. In hand-finished Vanderburgh Humidors, some of the wood actually appears to move as the light reflects and refracts from the finish. Most other humidor manufactures, and cheap humidors use a spray-laquer finish. This finish is easy to apply, and cheap, but lacks the chemistry to bring the exotic woods to life.
6. True creativity. True art personified in a Custom, Handcrafted Humidor.
Have you noticed that most humidors look the same? Browse the internet sites, look in your local tobacconist. You will probably notice that you see the same humidor designs from one place to the next. Is that what you really want? Or would you prefer a true piece of unique artwork, specifically designed for you that you can pass on to your children? Reward yourself something you can be proud of. A handcrafted humidor that you can proudly show your business associates. A custom handcrafted humidor who's genuine materials hold a story of their own.
7. Would you trust a cheap humidor to store your cigars?
If you have a humidor that holds - lets say - a hundred cigars. Lets say that the average cost per cigar is $10.00 - $12.00. In that case it would be safe to say that you would have at least $1000 in cigars that you are trusting a cheap humidor. Is this wise? As you can see above, a cheap humidor may last you for a year or two, but plan on replacing it time and time again. Why not buy a custom handcrafted humidor from Vanderburgh Humidors. And you can be confident that your cigars will be well taken care of.
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Most humidor images can be expanded by clicking on them.
Click above to see an image of a thin Veneer of decorative wood (1/32") on a humidor.
Click above to see the character of Solid Exotic Woods used in a custom Vanderburgh Humidor.
Click above to see the joinery and hardware on a cheap imported humidor.
Notice the high quality American-Made Solid-Brass hinges. At Vanderburgh Custom Humidors, we never use cheap hardware. Only the very finest.
Vanderburgh Custom Humidors only uses premium and reliable cigar humidification systems. The above is an aluminum RH Bead tray which will be covered in solid Spanish Cedar trim.
Above is an example of a high quality digital hygrometer used in a Vanderburgh Custom, Handcrafted Humidor.
Australian Lacewood and Ebony. Hand-finished Solid Exotic Wood, on a custom, handcrafted humidor.
Hand Sanding Wenge Top on a custom handcrafted humidor.
Custom Humidor Top with Solid Stone Insert.
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