Scissors, Punch, V-Cutter, or Guillotine?

[BlackFriar]

I have a question I would like to pose. In deference to Shrink, “El Rey del Mohel,” what form of circumcision do you prefer for your cigars? I ask this question because I almost always use a cheap double bladed guillotine. Cheap because I have a habit of misplacing anything of value. However, I am never really happy with the cut and wonder if there is a better way of doing things.

So, which method of cutting you cigar ends do you prefer and why?

Some of you have mentioned just removing the cap. I would be very interested in knowing what exactly you are doing and why.

Thanks, Chris

[BlackFriar]

» I use a xikar double blade, sometimes swiss army knife scissors, and rarely

» a punch. This is what I do most often:

» I take a small sharp knife, and using just the tip, I score the desired

» size circle in the cap.

» I do not hold the knife at an angle - not like slicing a sausage. It's

» almost like creating a punch hole,

» but I can control the size, usually making it bigger than a punch while

» still keeping the shoulder of the

» cigar intact. From time to time, I'll do the same with a fingernail,

» though it's not exactly a true "Cuban Cut".

That's interesting, I will give it a try on my next cigar. I have a questiion though. In an older post, there was a link to a youtube video of the triple cap being applied to a cigar. It was the video where the roller pushed in the pigtail with a ballpoint pen and the applied the final end cap. When you score the top of the cigar cap do you just cut deep enough to remove the top layer? Is that deep enough? Will a razor blade do the trick or do you need a blade with a clip point?

[smokum]

Xikar here too. I just use enough pressure to cut the cap away. I have never found a decent punch but that Swiss Army looks very good. My trusty old Zino double blad guillotine got lost but that worked great for years. The el cheapo single blades seem to do more damage than good. Never tried a scissor. Don't like a V cut at all.

[trumpetchris]

Palio cutter most of the time. Sometimes I will punch.

[Colt45]

I cut enough to reveal the filler, and have found if there is a divot to be had, I see it more often this

way than using a guillotine. I just find I get the most consistent cut this way, and have the most control.

As stated, I like to leave a good amount of shoulder, and I guess when it comes right down to it,

I'm not that good with a regular cutter.

You could surely use a razor blade, but it needs to be sharp. Also, I'm not so sure the method I use

would be looked upon as good form. :-)

[BlackFriar]

» not so sure the method I use

» would be looked upon as good form. :-)

Hell, I've used some really crappy knives in the field trying to cut a cigar like a sausage and have just mangled my cigars. Now I know how to do it right if I just have a knife.

[mef]

I use Xikar double blade as well...sometimes it's my crap skills rather than the cutter that cause the uneven cut.

I've tried the cuban clip too...

[Don Candido]

» I use Xikar double blade as well...sometimes it's my crap skills rather

» than the cutter that cause the uneven cut.

»

» I've tried the cuban clip too...

I have tried the V Cut (for about two year) but used guillotines for about fifteen years.

I always used the Davidoff Guillotine two bladed cutter. I liked it; it seemed to hold a decent edge; it was not cheap, but it was not the end of the world if I lost one.

Recently I took my head out of the sand and realized there are a bunch more choices today.

I bought a few Xikar's and a Palio. They are both excellent cutters. The Palio is perhaps more accurate out of the box for me, but that may be due to the fact it is similar to the shape of the Davidoff cutter I have used for so long.

For about the same price, the Xikar Xi3 and Palio are both world's ahead of Davidoff. If they hold their edge the way they claim, they will be even better than I currently am thinking. I just need time to figure that out.

I think which of those to use, if you are considering them, is a hard choice without holding them in your hands, and perhaps having cut several cigars. They both work great, but require different techniques for holding and cutting the cigar.

[jadawin]

Ive used to use a Xikar, that is until i got my Palio. Now the palio is pretty much all i use, perfect cut every time and man is that thing sharp!

[El Presidente]

I slowly cerate the inside of the cap on my cigars using the nails of my thumb and index fingers. Can take a minute or so but I enjoy the dance. It alows me to feel the tobacco...the hardness or softness...the moisture. Every cut is sllightly different and I enjoy the uniqueness. I use simple twin blade cutter for figurado's. I cut those on a slight angle being conservative on the cut.

[gostgost]

Chris,

I think I have one of everything and lost two of eveything. My problem is is the minute I let it out of my hands I forget it and never see it again. I now use the cheap cutters. For Christmas my wife brought me 2 things. A desk top cutter that does the "V" cut or a straight cut and the other was a tourch with a punch built in.

Oh I just got an idea........

[ucla695]

I use my double guillotine to gently score the area where I would like to cut and then carefully flick the cap off with my thumb or finger. Obviously, this works on parejos (straight sided cigars), but for figurados, I have to do a full cut.

I've tried using scissors before without much luck. I always end mangling the cap/head so I end up using what I know best. :-)

[tigger]

Cheap is relative, but I've been really happy with the "Wood Burl" Palio I bought last year after years of using a Zino double-bladed cutter (which I was also happy with).

I'm pretty sure I got it from our own n2adventure for under $50, and the regular black finish ones are likely cheaper.

I tend to lose things to, so I just kepp it on me all the time. :-)

[wp2]

Xikar. Not expensive & worth every penny, IMHO.

Roll the end of the smoke in your mouth, as the moisture helps with the cut. Place the smoke in the cutter head down on a flat surface, make a "definite" cut (as someone once described to me, just like a surgeon would make a cut), quick & precise.

[Claudius]

» I have a question I would like to pose. In deference to Shrink, “El Rey

» del Mohel,” what form of circumcision do you prefer for your cigars?

I use a guillotine type cutter:

[gostgost]

I LIKE IT, Claudius

[El Presidente]

Very nice Claudius

[BlackFriar]

» Very nice Claudius

Wow, quite a guillotine! I'd be worried just getting my fingers near that thing!:-D

[mailman]

a rusty 16 penny nail!

actually i use a colibri Guillotine.

[anacostiakat]

I use the Xikar products. Punch, Multi-Tool Scissors and guillotine.

They have a lifetime warranty.

[winelover]

Palio usually but have been known to use my teeth or a sharp knife.

[ccsmoker]

Xikar or Palio Iuse both but I am not to fond of punchers whole is too small smoke gets too hot for my taste.

[beachcougar]

Palio Cutter or a punch for me. I love the Palio and I always get a great cut.

[yossie]

In my home , I mainly use a natsherman's scissor.

When I am in the other, I use a double blade cutter.

[Mel39]

Nice one Claudi.:-D