You can't enjoy a cigar or pipe without having the proper accessories, well in essence you actually could, but what fun is it when you have to bite the end of your cigar off, or attempt to tamper your pipe with your bare finger (I've seen it done and was quite amazed), or more than anything try to light your cigar or pipe as you rub 2 sticks together. Not a good look at all, so with that being said.......
First things first, if you're going to enjoy a cigar, you have to be able to clip, cut, pierce or punch the cap aka head. As mentioned above you could always go old school and just bite the cap off but that is so, so neanderthal, and straight out last resort. Then you could pinch it off, that to is just antiquated and both of those methods tend to destroy the cap and that could mean a less than perfect smoke. So you have to have a cutter, piercer, or punch. We got that part covered, onto the next sequence of events, combustion.
Secondly, in order to start combustion, you have to have fire! Many still use wooden matches to ignite both, some use matches from a match book, cedar spills, now with the advancement of technology some use a USB coil electronic lighter and of course a butane or regular fluid style lighter. We've got that part covered. By-the-way, I go back and forth using wooden matches and butane lighters for the most part, they just always seem to do the job, and the right wooden matches and cedar spills can add flavor to a cigar, not sure about pipe tobacco.
Next, now that we've been enjoying our cigar or pipe, other accessories come into play. For the most part you're good for a while on your cigar with the exception of maybe having to re-light a time or two, and with a pipe, depending on your level of experience, you have need to re-light a few times. Part of that re-lighting means you have to push down the "dottle" and proverbial "cherry" on top of the unsmoked pipe tobacco, so you'll need a tamper. I've seen folks use a nail head as a tamper, empty bullet casing, saw a security guard once use an actual bullet and the whole time I watched what angle he was sitting as if it were to go off, I wanted to make sure I was not in the "line of fire". Didn't fire, but it was one of the most unpleasant smoke sessions I've ever had. Moving on, for the most part you can use any rounded flat item as a tamper, and there are some pretty unique ones out there. I typically use a "Czech" tool. It's the multi-function, super inexpensive tamper most pipe smokers use. It has 3 function; tamper, pick and spoon and I won't get into each of their functions, as they're pretty easy to figure out. Also for a pipe smoker, pipe cleaners are a must have. The only other thing a cigar smoker may need (if no ashtray is available) is a cigar stand and what's known as a "nubber". A nubber is a tool that help you to enjoy the end of your cigar know as the "sweet spot". Some use toothpicks, there's actual cigar nubbers for sale, and often you'll see ice-picks used or a "2 penny nail". All will suffice to enjoy that great spot of a cigar. There are a few more accessories you'll need ie., ashtrays, travel humidors, pipe cases, tobacco pouches etc.
Now the reason I've went through all of those things is to say this, I HAVE WAY TOO MANY DAMN SMOKING ACCESSORIES!! I probably have in the neighborhood of 150-200 lighters, maybe 150 or so cutters, punches and piercers, 50-60 tampers/tamper tools, far too many ashtrays, quite a few nubbers (not just nails), hundreds on hundreds of matchboxes or tubes and the list goes on. This is really for the "newbie" to the smoking game, so take heed. If you're new to this lifestyle and remotely think you'll be around for a while, do some research before you start purchasing your accessories, it'll save you some tears and money in the long run. I didn't do the prerequisite research and eventually noticed I had way too many accessories. Instead of researching, when I started enjoying pipes and cigars, I purchased the cheapest or suggested accessories and subsequently as I gained more knowledge, I decided I needed to have better accessories. The other day, I was going through some boxes I have packed away and it's truly unbelievable of the amount of accessories I have. Some purchased, some that were gifted to me, things I won via online contest or a smoking events. Some were a "bonus" when I purchased cigars, pipes or pipe tobacco etc. I still have my very first cigar guillotine cutter from 1984, it's a plastic cutter I was given by the General in the Air Force who taught me to enjoy cigars. The blade is a bit rusty due to it's age, and dull, but I still have it. I also have a Dupont cigar light I paid $500.00 bucks for, a Corona Old Boy pipe lighter I paid $200 plus for. I also have a 1900's Vintage Midland Jump Spark Wireless (yeah they called it a Wireless in the early 1900's) table top lighter I've been offered $4,000.00 for. It's a beautiful piece of art, that I can't ever see getting rid of. I have a ashtrays from numerous events, that were won as a prize or included with the purchase of cigars or pipes. Then I have a collection of tampers and nubbers I've made myself and sell occasionally. One of the cooler cigar accessories I own is an electric cutter. It has a vertical tube that you place the cap end of your cigar into and it then starts a circular blade that cuts the head off perfectly (sounds Medieval, but it's so cool. I own an ashtray that's a poker hand (cards) and that too is really cool. One day my grand kids, kids will have a plethora of smoking related accessories to take to the the "Antique Road Show" taping.
On another note, in the "smoking game" you can never have too many accessories. I keep lighters, tampers, nubbers in my vehicle, in my work briefcase, in my pockets at all times. I have accessories in my locker at my local B&M, hell I'm researching what it will cost to have a "accessory person" follow me around and carry tools (then I'd be a job creator), so I'd actually be helping the economy grow. So if you're new to this and don't want to have hundreds of accessories, put some time in and do a little research. Some may cost a bit more, but will last a lifetime with proper care. Some are just really cool to have and are the ultimate talking points in a setting with fellow enthusiasts. Unless you just like having boxes and boxes of cigar and pipe related stuff hanging around, or you may want to start a smoking related museum one day, then carry on. Until next time "CLP" (Clip, Light and Puff".
Greg C
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