Xikar Vs Palio

[floydpink]

I'd had a Xikar and Xikar multi tool for years and thought I couldn't do better, but kept reading all the raves about Palio, but never used one.

The design of the Xikar and cutting was so good, I wasn't sure if it could be improved, but wanted to find out. I Put a multi tool Xikar up for trade and got a Palio
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc266/rastapete69/cutters.jpg

After 3 months, I can't remember what the Xikar felt like as it's sat in my junk drawer.

My final verdict is that the Palio wins convincingly, although the Xikar may take points for design and looks.

[Bruzee]

Nice review. :tu And I couldn't agree more my friend! :D

[dunng]

:tu

[floydpink]

wow, weird, but my aging eyes have me nearly blind, but in the pic, I noticed the pony badge on the Palio and it appears to say BOTL, is this accurate, and is it the same acronym used on the cigar boards?

[md4958]

oh boy, here we go again!

I own both, bought my xikar first and used it for several months. loved it! the only problem was that I didnt like the little hump it left where the blades met.

I havent used it once since I bought my palio... the thing is like a lazer.

I used a friends brand new xikar the other day, and now I remember why mine is collecting dust in my golf bag

Xikar for looks, palio for cuts

[md4958]

wow, weird, but my aging eyes have me nearly blind, but in the pic, I noticed the pony badge on the Palio and it appears to say BOTL, is this accurate, and is it the same acronym used on the cigar boards?

yup, Palio is owned by BOTL, they also make some tasty smokes called Esencia!

[Bruzee]

yup, Palio is owned by BOTL, they also make some tasty smokes called Esencia!

Hmmm. Didn't know that. I knew the BOTL thing, but I'll have to find some of their sticks. :tu

[dunng]

No relation to the board though... :mh

[lightning9191]

Thanx for the review! I picked up a Palio shortly after getting into cigars and have never been persuaded to try a Xikar.

[ucla695]

I've been using my Palio for months and haven't thought about getting another cutter. :tu

[Ashcan Bill]

Xikar for the punch.

Palio for the cut.

:2

[King James]

I have also used both and prefer the palio

[Volusianator]

wow, weird, but my aging eyes have me nearly blind, but in the pic, I noticed the pony badge on the Palio and it appears to say BOTL, is this accurate, and is it the same acronym used on the cigar boards?

Yep, BOTL. I too have both and hardly ever use my Xikars. They're heavy and do leave what I call a ridge on the cut. It's a sharp cutter don't get me wrong and a very good cutter too, I just prefer my Palio's in most all situations.

[Mugen910]

I havent used it once since I bought my palio... the thing is like a lazer.

I used a friends brand new xikar the other day, and now I remember why mine is collecting dust in my golf bag


I think my Xikar is also in my golf bag ... prob from the last time we went golfing in chicopee. :D

[Genetic Defect]

my Xikar is in my coat

[SixPackSunday]

i have a xikar slim as my 'best' cutter for the time being. i'm not in love with it, but it beats my cheapies. i totally understand what you guys are saying about the ridge it leaves though.

[adampc22]

i want both lolololol

[LasciviousXXX]

What's a Xikar?????


:D

Palio, a cut above :tu

[adampc22]

What's a Xikar?????


:D

Palio, a cut above :tu

i still want both :ss

[taltos]

As usual, I am the odd man out. While the Palio has a slightly better cut, the Xikar feels better in my hand. I will take comfort over marginally better performance.

[TRicker]

oh boy, here we go again!

I own both, bought my xikar first and used it for several months. loved it! the only problem was that I didnt like the little hump it left where the blades met.

I havent used it once since I bought my palio... the thing is like a lazer.

I used a friends brand new xikar the other day, and now I remember why mine is collecting dust in my golf bag

Xikar for looks, palio for cuts

A Friends!!!:fu

[MikeyC]

A Friends!!!:fu

Did you lose your Palio again? :rolleyes:

[TRicker]

Nah its my work cutter, was getting pretty bad so I swapped it out at Azon. Moe got to make the second cut with it.

[Waynegro1]

Oh NO, it's starting.:r:r
I have both and love both. That's just the way I roll. :dance:

[SeanGAR]

Who needs a cigar cutter when you can cut the thing with your swiss army blade? Seriously, I have a Palio I never use and have had punches, Havanas, Xikars etc. A small blade like this beats them all.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/okeefes/SAFFLASH-3.jpg

[Sauer Grapes]

Have never really liked my palio. It's almost always left a rough cut. Since there aren't too many authorized retailers, I'm stuck sending it in to one on my dime. Just haven't been in a rush to do so as having to pay for shipping for something that's never really been right doesn't exactly light a fire under my butt to get it done. My old club stogie single blade nearly always gives a superior cut to my palio.

[pnoon]

Have never really liked my palio. It's almost always left a rough cut. Since there aren't too many authorized retailers, I'm stuck sending it in to one on my dime. Just haven't been in a rush to do so as having to pay for shipping for something that's never really been right doesn't exactly light a fire under my butt to get it done. My old club stogie single blade nearly always gives a superior cut to my palio.

I had similar issues until I was counseled by a wise FOG.

Make sure you pay attention to your cut. Apply sliight downward pressure toward the head of the cigar for a razor sharp cut.

I had the same issue you did David. The rough cut I was getting was due to pulling away from the cigar as the cut was being made.

[Smokin Gator]

To each his own... I had a Palio and sent it to a BOTL. It just didn't fit my big fat fingers I guess. I love my couple of Xikars!!! They work great for me every time.

[rizzle]

Don't own a Palio, but I have used one a few times so I can compare them. The Palio does make a good cut but it feels cheap.

The "ridge"...NCRadioMan told me how to use the Xikar properly, haven't had a "ridge" since that PM. And it looks cool as hell in blue aluminum.

:dance::dance:

[357]

Don't own a Palio, but I have used one a few times so I can compare them. The Palio does make a good cut but it feels cheap.

The "ridge"...NCRadioMan told me how to use the Xikar properly, haven't had a "ridge" since that PM. And it looks cool as hell in blue aluminum.

:dance::dance:

For us Xikar owners, please let us in on the secret....

How do you avoid a ridge?

[Sauer Grapes]

I had similar issues until I was counseled by a wise FOG.

Make sure you pay attention to your cut. Apply sliight downward pressure toward the head of the cigar for a razor sharp cut.

I had the same issue you did David. The rough cut I was getting was due to pulling away from the cigar as the cut was being made.

I'll pay attention next time, but I've used a few others' palios and they cut MUCH better than mine.

[BlackIrish]

I have both. The Palio cuts better. It's my go-to.

[TravelingJ]

The "ridge"...NCRadioMan told me how to use the Xikar properly, haven't had a "ridge" since that PM. And it looks cool as hell in blue aluminum.
Could you elaborate? I have a friend that just bought a Xikar, and I'd like to give him the word on how to avoid what I hated about the Xikar.

[rizzle]

For us Xikar owners, please let us in on the secret....

How do you avoid a ridge?

Could you elaborate? I have a friend that just bought a Xikar, and I'd like to give him the word on how to avoid what I hated about the Xikar.
I'll try to tell you how Greg tried to tell me...;)
What you do is apply just a little pressure onto the head of the cigar as you start your cut and maintain that pressure as you make the cut. It doesn't take a lot, yet it is hard to tell you exactly how. After a couple of clips you'll have it though. A perferct cut with no more ridges.
:tu

[NCRadioMan]

I'll try to tell you how Greg tried to tell me...;)
What you do is apply just a little pressure onto the head of the cigar as you start your cut and maintain that pressure as you make the cut. It doesn't take a lot, yet it is hard to tell you exactly how. After a couple of clips you'll have it though. A perferct cut with no more ridges.
:tu

Yep, that's the ticket! Just push down through the cigar slightly when you cut. It takes a few cigars to get the feel of it but it will eliminate the ridge. The Palio cut works the same way. :wo

[pnoon]

Yep, that's the ticket! Just push down through the cigar slightly when you cut. It takes a few cigars to get the feel of it but it will eliminate the ridge. The Palio cut works the same way. :wo

:) :tu

[FretSpot]

What you do is apply just a little pressure onto the head of the cigar as you start your cut and maintain that pressure as you make the cut. It doesn't take a lot, yet it is hard to tell you exactly how. After a couple of clips you'll have it though. A perferct cut with no more ridges.

Any chance someone can post a pic? I have the same problem with my Palio, but reading this description isn't making much sense to me (my wife will tell you that I'm not very bright).

[pnoon]

Any chance someone can post a pic? I have the same problem with my Palio, but reading this description isn't making much sense to me (my wife will tell you that I'm not very bright).

A picture won't help much.

When you finish cutting your cigar, you pull the cutter away from the stick. If you pull away even slightly before the cut is complete, the cut will be rough. To combat this, apply gentle pressure with the cutter toward the foot. Or to think of it another way, while cutting, gently try and push the cigar thru the opening in the cutter. (Note: you don't actually want to push the cigar thru. I am just trying to illustrate what you need to do.)

Also, you can sacrifice a dog rocket or bundled smoke to practice cutting on. a 5" or 6" smoke will give you lots of practice cuts.

[mrreindeer]

This definitely helps me; thanks guys...I was wondering about that and I can't wait to try it.

Also wondering what's so bad about the ridge anyway?

I was always a fan of their wine: http://www.ridgewine.com/

https://www.dotcomwines.com/images/products/633361018014448366.JPG

[357]

Yep, that's the ticket! Just push down through the cigar slightly when you cut. It takes a few cigars to get the feel of it but it will eliminate the ridge. The Palio cut works the same way. :wo

Thanks guys I can't wait to try it out.

[TravelingJ]

I'll try to tell you how Greg tried to tell me...;)
What you do is apply just a little pressure onto the head of the cigar as you start your cut and maintain that pressure as you make the cut. It doesn't take a lot, yet it is hard to tell you exactly how. After a couple of clips you'll have it though. A perferct cut with no more ridges.
:tu

A picture won't help much.

When you finish cutting your cigar, you pull the cutter away from the stick. If you pull away even slightly before the cut is complete, the cut will be rough. To combat this, apply gentle pressure with the cutter toward the foot. Or to think of it another way, while cutting, gently try and push the cigar thru the opening in the cutter. (Note: you don't actually want to push the cigar thru. I am just trying to illustrate what you need to do.)

Also, you can sacrifice a dog rocket or bundled smoke to practice cutting on. a 5" or 6" smoke will give you lots of practice cuts.

Sounds great boys! Thanks for the tips, I'll pass those on to him.

[rizzle]

:tu

[Pitmaster]

I use Xikar cutters with good luck, I tied the Palio and it did cut great but it felt like a piece of crap plus the guy was a total jerk at the IPCPRA show in Vegas, based on him alone I would never use one. I did pick up the new Xikar ultra slim http://www.xikar.com/images/product/107sl_cc.jpg It blows tham all away in cut and comfort for me.
Mike

[thebiglebowski]

A picture won't help much.

When you finish cutting your cigar, you pull the cutter away from the stick. If you pull away even slightly before the cut is complete, the cut will be rough. To combat this, apply gentle pressure with the cutter toward the foot. Or to think of it another way, while cutting, gently try and push the cigar thru the opening in the cutter. (Note: you don't actually want to push the cigar thru. I am just trying to illustrate what you need to do.)

Also, you can sacrifice a dog rocket or bundled smoke to practice cutting on. a 5" or 6" smoke will give you lots of practice cuts.

think of it this way, if you're a golfer, it's like keeping your head down when you hit the ball. if you pull your head up on contact, you'll most likely skull it.

not sure if i'm making sense, but.... hey, i'm a palio guy too!

[canucks6024]

I own a palio. But I forgot it when I moved away for school so I ended up buying a Xi gunmetal instead.

Palio is the solid winner. Learning curve is better, sturdiness, and overall ease of cut and the results I got were superior. Xikar wins on the 'looks' department though.

[bobarian]

But Palio's are ugly!:r:r:r

















There is only one! Palio!!!

[marge796]

I must get a Palio and see what the all the buzz is about. Thanks for making up my mind for me with this review. Chris


:tu

[perogee]

I love my Xikar :tu
and not a single issue with ridges, either

[wshan]

I like my Palio a lot. I just have the regular generic black one. Best money spent for cigars so far. It just works.