Proper Cigar cut

[Malt]

I have 3 different cutters, guillotine, punch and V. I also have the drywall screw, box cutter and general bite it off which I know I’d be shot here even thinking about those but been there done it. The question...Iis there a time and place for the 3 different cutters? Is it governed by the ring size? Different for different draws?

@Fugu there will be a quiz! lol 

[Chibearsv]

I V-cut all my torpedos and punch cut the rest. I go to the guillotine cutter if the widest punch isn't drawing well enough (or if the smallest punch isn't small enough). If the cigar is still tight after a guillotine, I drybox it for a couple more days before trying again.

I've also bitten, razorbladed, pinched, scissored, rose clippered, poked with a pencil, etc. Please don't assume that we are all pristine users of pristine tools and accessories. Sometimes you do what you do when you need a smoke. Cheers!

[Duder]

V-Cut almost everything. I find it vastly superior. I like a shallow V and the Xikar is perfect for me. On some ultra thinnies I will snip the cap and I do like to unwind a pigtail sometimes. 

[BrightonCorgi]

Scissors on everything and keep it simple. 

I have a stainless guillotine from when I first started getting into cigars. Made in West Germany. Use it for travel only.

[Mike Mecklenburg]

I only use a Spyderco Delica pocket knife. I find that I can control the depth and size of the cut and it's cleaner with no crumbs. If I'm cutting a pyramid then I use a Lotus - Dual Blade.  

[Malt]

11 hours ago, Lucas Buck said:

V-Cut almost everything. I find it vastly superior. I like a shallow V and the Xikar is perfect for me. On some ultra thinnies I will snip the cap and I do like to unwind a pigtail sometimes. 

I prefer the V because I find they draw and stay lit better. I can’t wait for the new cigars to come to try. 

[tbelle7]

I keep it simple. I use a straight cut on everything unless there is a tight draw and I will try a V-Cut.

[Duder]

10 hours ago, Malt said:

I prefer the V because I find they draw and stay lit better. I can’t wait for the new cigars to come to try. 

Also more smoke production, keeps the head intact so no tobacco bits in your mouth and it just plain looks cool 😅 

[GaryK 54]

I use a Xikar XO double-guillotine style cutter for everything. Convenient to carry, stays sharp, and cuts clean and straight. It accommodates the smallest of ring gauges and tops out at 70RG... useless for me as I don't smoke large ring cigars, but I am not one to judge those who enjoy a jawbreaker. Added bonus, with the planetary gear system it is a cool piece of kit for someone like me who is a sucker for gadgets.

[JohnS]

I'm with @Chibearsv, I'm used them all plus my thumbnail to execute a 'Cuban cut'! 

When I first got into cigars, I heavily favoured the V-Cut. I use a Colibri deeper V-Cut nowadays. Perhaps I should return to the shallower Xikar V-Cut, as suggested by @Lucas Buck? 

I have a wonderful Xikar XO double-guillotine style cutter which I rarely use these days. Lately I've become enamored with my PerfecPunch & Stand tool. What can I say? One goes through phases in this hobby!

[Ruggerpgh99]

I v-cut 90% of the time, deep V from Colibri and I love it. 

[joeypots]

No particular order. V cut with pyramids and bellis, a punch and I'm fond of my Swiss Army cigar tool with punch, blade, and scissors. (Sadly discontinued!) I also use a small sharp pocket knife to cut around the edge of the cap. I have had great success with this. 

[chasy]

V cut on piramides make sense.

[JDoughty]

So you can always take more off a cigar, but you can never take less. I start with a very shallow V cut and if necessary go deeper or move to a straight cutter, until I have my favorite type of draw. Which is just slightly restricted. I don't like a very loose open draw or one that is so tight you are struggling to get a good mouthful of smoke. V cut is my favorite for achieving this for most cigars, but a few need a little more. I may also re-cut later in the smoke if I think there is tar build-up contributing to off flavors. 

[Duder]

3 hours ago, chasy said:

V cut on piramides make sense

It’s quite controversial. I remember the first time I did it after using a dick cut for years. Seemed odd at first but it works just as good as for any other shaped head. 

[Ford2112]

Straight cut. Tried them all. Do what you like. I usually cut off a little to start and as the tar builds up cut a bit more. Works for me. I am a Neanderthal and use a cheap plastic double cutter.

[joeypots]

1 hour ago, Ford2112 said:

Straight cut. Tried them all. Do what you like. I usually cut off a little to start and as the tar builds up cut a bit more. Works for me. I am a Neanderthal and use a cheap plastic double cutter.

Yes, but you smoke some cigars and that's what counts, not fancy gadgets. 

[Ford2112]

2 hours ago, joeypots said:

Yes, but you smoke some cigars and that's what counts, not fancy gadgets. 

I have always subscribed to this. The dog and pony show is not my cup of tea.

[BossHogg]

I've tried them all, but I'm always reaching for my V cut.

[JDoughty]

49 minutes ago, Ford2112 said:

I have always subscribed to this. The dog and pony show is not my cup of tea.

Seconded. I absolutely do not get the appeal of lighters or cutters that cost $1000 and have a fancy brand name on them or that are made of gold and encrusted with jewels or whatever. I have no problem spending money on a high quality product that actually does the job better. But not on the decoration. This is basically the gender neutral version of a Louis Vuitton purse. Which I also don't get. 

[NYGuido]

2 hours ago, JDoughty said:

Seconded. I absolutely do not get the appeal of lighters or cutters that cost $1000 and have a fancy brand name on them or that are made of gold and encrusted with jewels or whatever. I have no problem spending money on a high quality product that actually does the job better. But not on the decoration. This is basically the gender neutral version of a Louis Vuitton purse. Which I also don't get. 

I have a DuPont Line2 and I’m stoked to hand it down to my son one day. I don’t think it’s any better than any other soft flame lighter, but I’d like to think that, when I’m gone, my son will find occasion to light a cigar with it and consider that his father is smoking with him. 

[JDoughty]

1 hour ago, NYGuido said:

I have a DuPont Line2 and I’m stoked to hand it down to my son one day. I don’t think it’s any better than any other soft flame lighter, but I’d like to think that, when I’m gone, my son will find occasion to light a cigar with it and consider that his father is smoking with him. 

I don't think there is anything wrong with liking decorative things or highly crafted things. If it makes you happy to have a Rolex watch or a Louis Vuitton purse, then you do you! I don't understand it, but I also don't understand chess. Doesn't make it a bad thing for someone else to be a grandmaster though. It's just not me. 

[bmac]

I’ve been going with the v-cut lately - mainly it’s dummy proof and draws well.

[AshMe Nothing]

I had my first V-cut a year ago at Churchill Downs. It’s my go to cut now. Plenty of draw and not as messy. Previously I preferred the punch but it isn’t ideal for small diameter vitolas. I still clip the ends on the Ninfas and some others.

I find the Klaro double torch lighter to be ideal. It has a v-cutter, poker, punch and it’s a cigar rest. Less pocket real estate. At ~$90 I won’t turn the car around if I lose it. I would be upset though. If I had a $1000 lighter it would be uglied up with an AirTag epoxied to it or maybe an AirTag case. But to each their own.

[Ford2112]

5 hours ago, NYGuido said:

I have a DuPont Line2 and I’m stoked to hand it down to my son one day. I don’t think it’s any better than any other soft flame lighter, but I’d like to think that, when I’m gone, my son will find occasion to light a cigar with it and consider that his father is smoking with him. 

That is great! 👍