Cut or Punch

[Sr Mike]

I was looking at these two cigars today and was thinking about what others may prefer, cut the cap or use a punch? One of these days I may get around to smoking the top pictured cigar, I have had it for two years but cannot seem to find the desire to smoke it, there is just something different about it that keeps me away.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05287-1.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05293-1.jpg

[icehog3]

Palio.

[Mark]

Are you lighting those sticks with a zippo?


+1 for palio

[Blueface]

Palio.

:tpd:

[markem]

Them RAs are smoking great (well, mine are ;))

I prefer a cutter (palio, Palio, PALIO!) but have used a punch on many occasions in the past. Can't bring myself to use my teeth - I am too much money invested in them :D

[Razorhog]

Palio. Expensive but worth every cent.

[Mr.Erskine]

I cut... I've never used a punch, although I have considered getting one.

[Chris.]

I cut anything below 50rg. everything else with a round cap gets punched:tu

[Smokin Gator]

I punch everything with a triple cap. I cut everything else!!

[kelmac07]

+1 for cut with a Palio!! :tu

[stearns]

cut everything with the palio unless theres damage to the cap and a cut could unravel the wrapper, then i punch, but thats about it. palio for life :tu

stearns

[Savor the Stick]

I punch everything with a triple cap. I cut everything else!!

Interesting!

I punch only when necessary, when cutting could cause the cigar to unravel. Short caps, or sloppily applied ones for example.

[Razorhog]

Don't own a punch, wouldn't have a clue how to use one.

[dunng]

Palio... :tu

[maverickdrinker]

Palio!!!!!!!

[JJG]

I use a box cutter and gently shave off the cap like I'm peeling a potato.

[Ferrari5180]

I usually use a punch, but lately I have been enjoying using a cutter. My friend, it is all about preference. Do what you like best. I would actually keep both on hand and use them each accordingly to the stick being smoked.

[RightAJ]

Palio or Xikar... which ever I grab first! I am in love with both and couldn't choose if I had to- they're like children:ss

:tu for the Zippo, brother!

aj

[CasaDooley]

I cut, therefore I am.:ss

[Gary]

I've been using the punch on my Vector lighter....love it.

[M1903A1]

Palio. Expensive but worth every cent.

:tpd:

:tu :tu :tu

[Namerifrats]

Depends on the size of the cigar. I always carry both a punch and a cutter. I mostly cut unless the cigar is like a 56rg or up and I'll usually punch those.

[South Shield]

Every time you use a Palio an angel get his wings.


Palio = Awesomeness with a capital Q

[Goldie]

I have a nice Xikar Xi2 but have moved towards the punch on the bottom of my Lotus lighter. But I use to be a cutter. I just feel like I get a better draw with the punch. It's pretty hard to mess up a punch.

[n.olson99]

punch almost always. i think it solves alot of cap issues. only time i use my cutters if for torpedos and/or belicosos.

[druturn]

I rely solely on my cutter. I have used a punch on several occasions but was never too impressed with them. They work fine, are super easy to use, and (nearly) fool proof but I just wasn't all that satisfied with them. Xikars and palios all the way!

[DPD6030]

Sometimes I punch then cut :r

[Barteur]

Sometimes I punch then cut :r

Haha better this way then the oposite:)

I mostly cut with my palio.

[Don Fernando]

My first choice is a punch, otherwise I use my palio

[bi11fish]

One more vote for Palio:dr

[Thrak]

I've been using the punch on my Bugatti lighter lately, but 95% of the time I still cut...

Do you guys twist when punching, or just stab it straight in?

[pitbulljimmy]

I cut.... always have. Never even used a punch. I like how cutting doesn't funnel all the tar to one small spot. I've seen punched cigars "poop" tar out the end. I don't wanna eat that! :pu

[Chris.]

I cut.... always have. Never even used a punch. I like how cutting doesn't funnel all the tar to one small spot. I've seen punched cigars "poop" tar out the end. I don't wanna eat that! :pu

That doesnt happen because it was punched. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen, regardless of the way the cap was opened up. I've had it happen on a cigar that I cut the cap off. It is NOT a pleasant taste. That cigar got tossed pretty quickly.

[Langod]

I've been thinking abotu switching to a punch. The last several cigars I've had (all decent ones, too) have developed really hard draws after about 1/3. After shoving a paperclip in the draw loosened up.
I'm thinking there's something I've started doing recently with my cut and how I smoke that causes the problem. (I use a Palio and try to cut just below the edge of the cap)

[Smokin Gator]

Do you guys twist when punching, or just stab it straight in?

I twist back and forth as I push the punch in.

[rlmedic]

Cut, almost always with my Xikar

[Eggopp]

I prefer to cut, but i have a palio lighter with a built in palio punch, if you twist it in sometimes the punch itself unscrews and falls out. The instructions say to just push it in and not twist which is often difficult. Thus the preference to cut with a double bladed cutter.:tu

[pnoon]

I prefer to cut, but i have a palio lighter with a built in palio punch, if you twist it in sometimes the punch itself unscrews and falls out. The instructions say to just push it in and not twist which is often difficult. Thus the preference to cut with a double bladed cutter.:tu

A Palio lighter? Can we get a picture and/or a link to where you got it.

[Eggopp]

Sure Sorry there not the best images the llighter was just under £49GBP from a company in London. Not sure if im allowed to put there web site address on here but ive taken the image off there website which has there details on so its easy to search for.

It comes with a Palio lighter guarantee for 2 years, ive had it a few months now and its wicked to say the least, has a triple jet which is like a flame thrower and eats gas like its going out of fashion.

[pnoon]

Sure Sorry there not the best images the llighter was just under £49GBP from a company in London. Not sure if im allowed to put there web site address on here but ive taken the image off there website which has there details on so its easy to search for.

It comes with a Palio lighter guarantee for 2 years, ive had it a few months now and its wicked to say the least, has a triple jet which is like a flame thrower and eats gas like its going out of fashion.
Thanks for the pics, Steve.

The only websites that are not allowed to be posted are those that sell Cuban cigars. So I did remove one image.

[Eggopp]

Yes i figured you might, as he does sell cubans as its in the UK.

[Sr Mike]

I think with the unbanded cigar I would have to use a knife or a punch, I don't have a cutter that could cover that cap.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05294-1.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05297-2.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05295-1.jpg

[Eggopp]

Blimey its as big as a cucumber... what make is it? :ss

[alley00p]

Depends on the RG, I punch larger sticks, and use a Palio for smaller RG sticks... :tu

:dance:

[Sr Mike]

Blimey its as big as a cucumber... what make is it? :ss

It is a Thompson special, not sure about what the blend is, supposedly long filler (I can only imagine how many plants it would take to make this).

[Chris.]

Holy crap! I didn't see the pic of you holding it before!! I would never even attempt to smoke it! I'd buy 3 more and make a table with them!

[marge796]

Xikar

:tu


Chris.....

[marge796]

I think with the unbanded cigar I would have to use a knife or a punch, I don't have a cutter that could cover that cap.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05294-1.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05297-2.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05295-1.jpg


:O

[M1903A1]

I think with the unbanded cigar I would have to use a knife or a punch, I don't have a cutter that could cover that cap.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn258/SR_Mike/DSC05297-2.jpg


My first thought on seeing that was "Punch or cut, hell! Try a bandsaw!!" :ss

A friend of mine told me he was gifted something like that over twenty years ago. He said he finally had to light it with his propane torch.

[CasaDooley]

I was gifted something like that 52 years ago, but I would NEVER put a torch to it!:r

[Sr Mike]

I would smoke it, but not sure if I can find 10 hours to dedicate to it.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

:eek:

[neoflex]

I always cut and the last year or so I have been really favoring the V-Cut. I really wish Palio would come out with a bad@ss V-Cutter.

[saggel]

I punch everything with a triple cap. I cut everything else!!

That's my way too -(P

[govicgo]

I am really liking the v cutter lately having tried both the punch and blade cutter in the past....

[ucla695]

Palio! :tu

[whodeeni]

I usually punch anything 48rg or above
and cut below. and i always cut torpedo's....

[bing]

Whenever it's at hand, I use my 'v' cutter. Have yet to have a bad cut with it.

[Mr. Ed]

Xikar, cut

[SilverFox]

I punch everything that is a normal head, cutter for beli's, torps, perfecto, figurado's etc

[The Postman]

Xikar....it was a gift from a brother, and it works. Some day, I want to own a Palio so I can compare.

[Robert Mabona]

in my experience, the smaller the opening is in proportion to the rg of the cigar, the greater the likehood of building tar. i enjoy a punch but tend to only use one on 48rg or less. but this rule does not always apply. when i smoke T110s i use my smallest punch as the draw is just too loose otherwise. in truth, i open almost everything except torps, belis and perfectos with my thumbnail.

[Aldebaran]

I got some Bugatti torch with two punches built in so its just convenient

[KenyanSandBoa]

I cut everything.

I have never used a punch...and biting usually ends bad for me.

[Chris.]

Ive bitten two caps off ever. I will not do it again. I end up spitting tobacco for several minutes. The cons outweigh the pros in that case. I keep a punch on my keychain I'm case I'm in the puching mood.

[Smoking Q]

Started with cutters, went to the punch for a few years, now I'm back to using my cutters, Xikar or one of my cheaper ones I keep lying around.