Cigar Cutting - The Best Tips
### Cutting a Cigar - The Best Tips
Taking a cigar out of the humidor, lighting it, and enjoying it straight away? Not quite—beforehand, the object of your desire needs to be cut. While cutting a cigar doesn’t have to be complicated, it can be treated as an art form. There’s no single “right” method for cutting a cigar; how and with what tool you choose to make the cut depends entirely on your personal taste. Each method, however, has its own advantages. Oftentimes, the cigar’s format determines which cut and tool work best. Over time, four main methods for cutting cigars have emerged. Here, we present the most common tools for cigar cutting and their characteristics:
1. The Double-Blade Cutter – Slicing Your Way to Enjoyment
The double-blade cutter is arguably the most popular and well-known cigar cutting tool. To use it, place the cutter at the cap of the cigar and slice off a thin section, no thicker than 2–3 millimeters. For tapered formats like Piramides or Figurados, take care not to cut off too much, as this can unravel the cigar’s wrapper. Remember, the more you cut, the easier the draw will be. The two blades of a double-blade cutter move towards each other, and the cut should be executed in one swift motion. Cutters come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that suits your preferences. If the tool is well-crafted with high-quality blades, it’s incredibly easy to use.
The main advantage of double-blade cutters is their ability to create a large opening in the cigar, allowing the aromas to unfold optimally. Before cutting, lightly moisten the cigar cap with your lips to minimize the risk of damaging it.
2. The V-Cutter – The Classic Notch Cut
A traditional tool for cutting cigars is the V-cutter, which creates a classic notch in the cigar cap.
The V-shaped blade penetrates the cigar laterally, leaving its characteristic notch. To achieve an optimal cut, apply moderate pressure when inserting the cigar into the V-cutter’s groove. It might take some practice, but it’s far from rocket science.
The notch cut is particularly suited for short fillers and smaller formats. Companies like Xikar have introduced models Xikar VX Metal V-Cut that accommodate ring gauges of up to 64. Although less popular today, the V-cutter was a favorite in earlier generations and still has dedicated fans who swear by the notch cut.
3. The Cigar Punch – Protecting the Wrapper
The cigar punch is a circular cutter that bores a hole in the center of the cigar cap, effectively concentrating the smoke channels. While this method may result in less airflow compared to a double-blade cut, it ensures a clean and undamaged wrapper. Additionally, when the punch is removed, any loose tobacco is extracted, preventing unwanted crumbs from interfering with your enjoyment.
Another advantage of the cigar punch is that it requires no precision. You cannot punch holes that are too small or too large; only the depth of the punch requires some care. However, punches are not suitable for tapered formats. They work best with classic formats like Corona or Robusto.
Cigar punches are small and portable, fitting easily into a pocket or on a keychain.
4. The Cigar Scissors – Handy and Practical
Cigar scissors are highly popular among aficionados. The operation of scissors is familiar to everyone, and cigar scissors work on the same principle. Thanks to their leverage, they allow for a clean and precise cut with minimal effort.
Of course, quality is key when it comes to cigar scissors, which should be specifically designed for this purpose. If you’re tempted to use regular household scissors (after all, they’re right in the drawer), abandon that thought immediately. It won’t work, and neither you nor your cigar will be happy with the result.
High-quality cigar scissors, like those from Adorini, can handle larger formats despite their relatively small size. For premium blades, look to Donatus scissors. While larger scissors are better suited for home use, Xikar offers a compact multitool for on-the-go enthusiasts.
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