Share this post
We, at Vanderburgh Humidors are artists, craftsmen, dreamers and industrial designers. We have a keen eye for balance & proportion. We create artwork, personified in intricately crafted luxury cigar humidors. Each passionately created humidor is crafted one at a time, and never rushed.
Each material used in our humidors is selected for it's color and tone, function and durability and for it's character and artistry. Every joint is fitted and cut to precision aligning with traditional construction methods for longevity and durability.
Each humidor is designed not only for art, but also for pure intelligent function. Your Vanderburgh Humidor is designed to protect and preserve your fine collection of cigars so that each one can be enjoyed at any time for it's paramount flavor and burn.
Traditionally crafted for art and preservation of your cigars.
Working with fine hardwoods in traditional ways is demanding, exacting, and laborious. By traditional methods, I mean that our hands, design and skill are foremost to the process. We use proven methods of joinery, tested by time and built to last longer than us.
This is not traditional woodworking in the pre-industrial sense. We do use power tools, and modern glues and finishes which are the best products of the science of our time. Some of our travel humidors blend modern technology and lightweight alloys to create a perfect balance of both function and beauty.
We measure and draw lines, then saw and shape. We sculpt complex surfaces and contours by the interplay of vision and experience.
Vanderburgh Humidors is a small manufacturer and make luxury humidors one at a time. Our goal is to create a small selection of passionately handcrafted artwork that is only available to a few privileged, and discriminating owners.
Creating the worlds best built and artistic humidors is what we love to do.
|
|
|
Here are a list of qualities that you will find in a Vanderburgh Humidor.
Genuine Materials: <TOP>
We believe that the finest and most artistic materials come from Nature itself. We use these primarily in solid form, like solid woods, solid stone, and thick, full grain leather. We also use the finest solid brass hardware that we can find. The very cost of our hardware alone costs more than some complete imported Asian humidors. That has to say something indeed.
Solid Hardwoods:<TOP>
It is difficult to find anything handcrafted with solid woods these days.
Nearly 100% of mass produced humidors are made from a cheaper wood body, with a thin layer of veneer glued over the top. On the outside, this looks like your whole humidor has been made from solid exotic, figured wood, but it is really only 1/16” thick at best.
This is true for nearly all humidors ... from expensive European models, to cheap imported Asian humidors. Sometimes humidors are made from MDF board, which is basically sawdust with glue. The veneer covers over the unsightly and cheap MDF board so your humidor looks good on the outside.
I do want to note, that there is nothing really wrong with the veneer approach, if it is done correctly. We use some veneers on our travel humidors, because of the requirement for lightness of weight. However, in our desktop and cabinet humidors, instead of veneer, we will use solid exotic figured wood (usually between 7/8” and 1” thick solid wood!) for our humidor bodies. The solid wood adds far more robust and substantial character, as you can see the beauty and character of the wood right through the whole humidor body, even when you open it.
Solid wood allows us to make classy humidors like this, where you can see the character all throughout the different pieces used in this humidor.
Solid Granite Floors:<TOP>
When you open your Vanderburgh Humidor, you will see something very unique, and not found anywhere else. We use solid 1/2” thick polished granite for the bottoms of our humidors. The granite not only looks simply elegant, but it offers a few very functional features.
It helps keep the temperature more stable, and provides excellent insulation value.
It is easy to clean.
It provides a rock-solid foundation for your humidor.
It looks stunning.
Solid Spanish Cedar Lining:<TOP>
We use only the finest 1/4” thick Spanish Cedar lining. Again, many humidors only contain a thin veneer of spanish cedar for the lining.
We use solid Spanish Cedar lining for the following reasons:
Spanish Cedar resists mold. This is important, because inside your humidor is very humid.
Spanish Cedar compliments the cigar aging process with it’s subtle scent. Even though it is debatable on how much the Spanish Cedar impacts the flavors of your cigars, it definitely compliments them.
Spanish Cedar absorbs and desorbs moisture, acting as a moisture buffer. The Spanish Cedar will help your humidor return its intended RH if the humidor is frequently opened.
Handcrafted Elegance:<TOP>
Each humidor is made individually, and by one craftsman. Our humidors are never made on an assembly line. Sometimes we will build a limited edition series of a dozen or so humidors of the same model, but even in this case, they are made all by one artist.
This slower more attentive approach does a variety of things:
- It allows the craftsman to choose specific ‘character’ boards for different parts of the humidor.
- The humidor construction is not rushed, and much time is taken for precise cutting and joinery.
- We use traditional joinery and construction methods for the most durable quality.
- Our humidors are hand-finished and hand-polished, giving a richer, more classier finish. Mass produced humidors are spray finished and can look like they have been dipped in thick plastic.
Thick, Full-Grain Leather.<TOP>
For our leather-topped humidors, we purchase the finest full-grain leather hides available. Full grain means that you get a thick, 3/16” piece of solid leather taken from the uppermost part of the hide. This allows for all of the natural, full character to be shown in the leather. Often the cow will have scars from either coyote or insect bites, or where they would rub up against barbed wire. This shows right in the leather, naturally, and it gives tremendous unique character.
Many leathers are cheap, and made to look pretty, by having patterns or textures pressed into them. And many times, there are synthetic materials made to look like leather.
Only the finest, natural full grain leathers will do for your humidor.
Premium Hardware:<TOP>
We buy only the finest solid brass, or solid stainless steel hardware available. Our hardware costs us more than many complete imported humidors from Asia. This has to say something!
Here’s why you need premium hardware:
- Your hardware supports the lid of the humidor. If you have cheap hardware, the hinges will loosen and fall apart, possibly contributing to a faulty seal.
- Your hardware is a design component. You have junky looking hardware, it affects the overall look of your humidor.
- Your hardware choice will determine how long your humidor will last.
Humidification and Hygrometer:<TOP>
A great humidor is only as good as the components that monitor and regulate your internal microclimate, or conditions for your cigars.
We offer a variety of humidification devices, from the premium, low maintenance, worry-free CigarSpa, to many passive humidification systems integrated right into your handcrafted humidor. We can discuss options with you when it comes time.
SUMMARY<TOP>
Overall, you really get what you pay for. And if you are looking to have a Vanderburgh Humidor made for you, you probably want it to last for a lifetime.
We make it our passion to search out the most unique, genuine materials, and the most talented artists. Together, we make some of the most unique and quality handcrafted custom humidors found anywhere in the world.
There are many good quality humidors out there. But very none are made with all of the design elements as listed above. So if you are looking for a custom handcrafted humidor, made with solid woods, genuine natural materials, and built to last a lifetime, look no further than Vanderburgh Humidors.