Which cutter is the Best to use?

Why do I need a cigar cutter? Many have questioned the importance of cigar cutters. Just as anybody else enjoying some good time in the pool or at the beach during summer, every cigar enthusiast knows smoking is precision and must be perfect. Most cigars lack an opening, which prevents the user from smoking them, and for one to smoke the cigar, the user must create an opening at the head of the stick (cap), to allow smoke and air to pass through using a cigar cutter.

It is highly recommendable to use cutters as failing to have the appropriate tools or making the wrong cut might easily ruin a cigar by damaging its structure by unraveling its wrapper. It may not be delightful while you smoke. It feels no good as you drag when the cigar gradually unravels, and bits of tobacco ends up on your teeth or stuck to your lips.

In this article, we shall look at the necessary skills and knowledge required on cigar cutting and purchasing the perfect cutter generally as learning how to cut a cigar tip properly is one of the requirements for those who enter into the cigar world.

How should you cut a cigar?

You may think that cutting off a cigar cap is a simple process, but even the most experienced of cigar smokers at one time make an occasional lousy cut. A rough cut can leave tobacco accumulations in the mouth or lips, while shallow or deep cuts may lead to an unraveling of the cigar cap.

How to make a perfect cut involves the following steps;   

1. Locate the cap: the cap is the small round shaped piece of tobacco that covers the end and keeps the cigar together.
2. Position the blades evenly on the right position inside the end of the cap: at the correct position, place the blades evenly just a few millimeters in from the end of the cap, not too deep or too shallow.
3. Make a quick cut: for a smooth and clean-cut apply lot of force and make a quick cut without lollygagging at once. As you cut using a punch, you insert the punch and pull out the punch all at once quickly.
4. Light the cigar, smoke, and enjoy: with an even cut without letting the flame touch the cigar, gently put a few times (without inhaling) until you feel the smoke in your mouth.

Types of cuts when using cigar cutters?

I get to be asked a lot: which type of cigar cut is the best? My answer is quite simple. Cigar cutting is an act of precision as it provides a perfect opportunity to reflect upon the tobacco-growing heritage, picking, fermenting, and rolling. Hence, having a good cigar cut is prestige to any smoker, and the best cut is which you like.  

Having a diverse experience on different types of cuts, let us explore some of them and get to know which you like best.

1.      Straight cut

Also referred to as Guillotine, it includes two types; the single and double-bladed Guillotine. It is the most common type of cut, which involves taking the complete cap off the cigar, creating a more substantial area for smoke to be released once the smoke puffs. The double blade guillotine is mostly preferred over the single blade as it makes a cleaner cut as the single blade has a higher chance of causing a torn wrapper.

The cutting applies from both sides simultaneously, giving the cigar a smooth edge; hence as you practice guillotine cut, place the cutter on the shoulder of the piece ends (where the curved part of the cap ends) and apply as much force as possible once to make a clean cut.

                                Advantages

• Can be used on any cigar
• It is not limited by shape or size
• It gives a cigar a smoother draw( a cigar draw is an ease in which you release smoke equivalent to puff made)
• Makes a clean cut
• Easy to carry around on your pocket

Disadvantages

• Some of the cutters are quite expensive
• If the cut is made with a dull blade, it makes an even cut

2.      V-cut

It is a type of cut made by a uniquely shaped blade, which slices from one side and, at the same depth creating a V-cut slash along with the cigar head instead of cutting off the head completely. The cut gives a smoker a medium draw (refers to when you puff on the cigar and the release is relatively light).

Advantages

• Easy to carry around on your pocket
• It enables an easy draw
• It facilitates lower exposure to tobacco
• It works smartly on small ring cigars

Disadvantages

• The cutters are expensive.

3.      Punch cut

Like V-cut, the punch does not cut the cap off entirely instead of using a circular blade; it creates a hole in the cap, which creates an opening. However, the hole size made counts, and if small, it might interfere with smoking and draw eventually.

To perform punch cut, you choose the right size of punch and insert the blade slowly into the cigar cap as you rotate it to create a hole.

Advantages

• Easy to perform the cut
• No chances of tobacco accumulating in the mouth
• Gives the cigar a small opening
• It is available with most of cigar torch lighters

Disadvantages

• A small opening can cause the cigar to smoke a little hot
• Does not work well with small ring gauge cigar brands

 

Types of Cigar Cutters

There are many cigar-cutting tools; however, the smoker’s cutting precision is much more valuable and valued. Over time, cutting cigars has become less of a preparation step, but more than art that those who love cigars also love to conquer.

Some of the best cigar cutters include;

Xikar X8 Cigar Cutter

It is one of the most comfortable cutters as it features wide handles to accommodate large fingers and has the sharpest stainless steel blades.

Quad Stainless Table Cutter

It features four different cutting options in one package to give you the comfort of cutting any type or size of a cigar with an added advantage of having a lever including a gear mechanism that you push down to cut the cigars in a smoother cutting motion. It is equipped with two straight cutters, and two V-cutters rated high on the number of ring gauge cigars it can cut.

Vertigo Big Daddy Cutter

It is a cheaper type of cutter built on the foundation of a classic dual-blade guillotine designed to accommodate a budget-wise smoker who wishes to spend less for a high-quality cigar cutter.

Xikar XI1 Cigar Cutter

A stylish ergonomic teardrop-shaped shape cutter with double guillotine blades designed to offer a powerful cutting ability in one simple squeezing motion and can comfortability fit in your hand.

V-Cut Cutter

It is a stainless steel blade purposefully designed to perform a rich V-cuts and robust draw. It is small and can comfortably fit in your hands.

Xikar VX V-Cut Cigar Cutter

It is a metal designed cutter with an inverted blade, which produces a unique wedge-shaped notch on the cigar cap, sometimes referred to as a “cats-eye” cut.

Bullet Punch Cutter

It is a pocket-friendly piece of punch cutter with a sharp blade, which punches a precision hole in the cigar cap, and the keyring keeps it with you.

Conclusion

In movies, you might have probably seen actors cut off the cigar cap using different types of cuts (either V-cut, Straight cut or punch cut) or even other actors biting off the cap. Cutting a cigar is a matter of personal preference; however, remember that the shape of the cap determines a good puff and draw. A well-rolled cigar should still draw but be forewarned, which makes the cigar taste much more substantial. The different cut brings out different precisions to the smoker since no one single cutter or method is preferred, right, or wrong; hence the best cut is the cut, which makes your cigar taste good. 

As you get to choose your cigar cutter, there are three features to consider;

• Style– there are a variety of cutters in the market; hence the design you choose depends on self-preference.
• Ease of use– having so many designs in the market, what fits your fingers perfectly, and cuts clean your preferred type of cut is considered as the best.
• The sharpness of blades– the sharper the blades, the better the cutter and which is an assurance that you will get clean cuts, which will enhance the smoking experience.

There are two things that can happen whenever you cut your cigar wrong. If you happen to cut the hole too small, you will draw less smoke or none from the cigar, however, if you cut your cigar hole too much, you can ruin the wrapper and find your cigar unraveling while you are attempting to smoke it. It is recommendable to cut your cigar approximately two millimeters from the cigar head to avoid either of the two mistakes from happening again.

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