Give me your "How to Cut" method

[Tbagley]

I've had some cheap cutters, got around to getting an Xi8 sometime back and just recently purchased a Palio. So how do You cut your cigar using your preferred cutter?

[bobarian]

I use my Palio's almost exclusively. Put the cigar in the hole and squeeze. :sh

[JenksAnejo]

Put the cigar in the hold and squeeze.

This.

[oooo35980]

Sometimes I use my cigar scissors, sometimes a cutter, I have been known to cut a hole in the cap with a pocket knife, same theory as a punch but a bit more effort. Just keep in mind not to cut past the cap so the wrapper unwravels, other than that there isn't much to it.

[irratebass]

This video is the best one out there imo

http://cigarobsession.com/2011/03/10/how-to-cut-light-smoke-a-cigar/

[Bill86]

Xikar MTX Scissors or Xikar Punch. Pretty self explanatory after that.

[Pseudosacred]

This video is the best one out there imo

http://cigarobsession.com/2011/03/10/how-to-cut-light-smoke-a-cigar/

That's the video I watched when I first started. It was very helpful. Although, there is something about that guy that annoys me...I can't put my finger on it, though...

[gbum]

That's the video I watched when I first started. It was very helpful. Although, there is something about that guy that annoys me...I can't put my finger on it, though...

talk to him,
hes a member here :D

[ApexAZ]

I cut mine with a machete, like a real man.

[ApexAZ]

Seriously though, there's some good info here (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1906).

[PuffPuffGive1]

Bite off the crown and spit it at the nearest wench I see...other than that, I have a Cuban Crafters perfect cutter that always takes off the top cap.

[maverickdrinker]

I try to use a punch foe everything. Smaller ring gauge and piramides get cut by my palio

[RGD.]

An old post that I made a few years ago:

Cigar Cutting 101 - In Pictures - (http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=507)


Ron

[icehog3]

Palio...I try to shave off the wrapper head without any other tobacco being cut. I am usually pretty close when not perfect.

[BHalbrooks]

Tom... what?

[Smokin Gator]

My preferred way is to run my pocket knife around the cap and then lift it off.

[Taki]

Bite off the crown and spit it at the nearest wench I see...other than that, I have a Cuban Crafters perfect cutter that always takes off the top cap.

:lr

I tend to just use Shanes (aka Blak Smyth's) Palio :r Works great!!! :tu
If hes not around, I use my Monte...works every time (getting dull though)

[MrClean]

I didn't look at the video links (stupid slow connection) so they may have covered this way of doing it.
When I first started, I would lay the cutter on a table, put the cigar in it to cut, takes off the perfect amount most times. For me it was a good way to learn exactly how much to take off.

[OLS]

Palio...I try to shave off the wrapper head without any other tobacco being cut. I am usually pretty close when not perfect.

For havanas, this works exceptionally well, I find. Other countries, not so well.

By the way, OP, YOU DO know there were other user names available at the time you joined, right?? :r

[OLS]

That video that was linked hits a very good point that I am sure not a lot of people starting out know.
The 'flavor' in the smoke is not what is created by combustion. Combustion just makes smoke and very
little flavor is created that way. The flavor comes as the warm smoke passes through and around the
leaves of the bunch and oils are vaporized and some kind of fairy-magic osmosis occurs. The flavors
come mostly from the un-burned tobacco and are merely carried by the smoke to your mouth. That is
why smoking slowly and deliberately is so important. Partly because of the heating up of the entire item,
which is bad, but also because you lessen the time the smoke has to interact with the leaves. This is
also why people recommend the slowest puff rate you can manage and still keep the cigar lit and going.

It's just like the gas pump. There is still gas in the hose when the pump shuts off that never makes it
to your car. You paid for it but did not get it. Luckily, YOU DID get the gas that the LAST guy pumped
into the hose and paid for. So it works out. That smoke remains in the cigar until your next puff and mingles
with the leaves for 30 secs to a minute, picking up flavor. Your puffing draws THAT smoke into your mouth
and delivers flavor while it also loads the cigar with a little smoke that you will enjoy on the next puff.

Wo-ho, blog entry.....

[Blak Smyth]

I use a palio around the house and a Cuban Crafters on the go (Don't wanna loose my beloved Palio). I line up the blade with the first cap on the head, make sure the cigar is at a 90 degree angle from the blade and squeeze fast. Test draw an cut another cap line if necessary.

The most important tip for me was to check the 90 degree angle. Often you think you are straight until you look at it.

[joeobx]

I try to snip as small a peice of the cap as I can and then test the draw, if its tight I'll snip a little more.

[shilala]

If there's one area that really never mattered to me, it's this one. I'll cut a cap with whatever's at hand. If there's nothing at hand, I'll use my teeth.
I do like Xikar xi3 and xi1's, and have a few xi2's in travel humis. The only reason I prefer them is that they don't pinch my hand when I make a cut. I'm clumsy with sliding cutters.
Of all the cutters, my favorite ever are the sliders with the stop in the back and a hole in the center. They measure and cut precisely, handle Beli's nicely, and they're cheap.

[Blak Smyth]

Of all the cutters, my favorite ever are the sliders with the stop in the back and a hole in the center. They measure and cut precisely, handle Beli's nicely, and they're cheap.

Cuban Crafters makes a very affordable, really well made cutter like this :tu
It is my back up to my Palio and it works great.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTG29_OY5p3cjhpF8W40C0xtoS9Q7fjy lJbYcRpoGGXWTYtxASWqyEfrc0c

[shilala]

Cuban Crafters makes a very affordable, really well made cutter like this :tu
It is my back up to my Palio and it works great.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTG29_OY5p3cjhpF8W40C0xtoS9Q7fjy lJbYcRpoGGXWTYtxASWqyEfrc0c
I can't tell if that one is all metal, but it's exactly what I was talking about. So far as I'm concerned, it's the perfect design for a cutter. All the rest could go away and I wouldn't miss them a bit. (Except my Spectra Xi3. I wanna keep that one. )

[Blak Smyth]

I can't tell if that one is all metal, but it's exactly what I was talking about. So far as I'm concerned, it's the perfect design for a cutter. All the rest could go away and I wouldn't miss them a bit. (Except my Spectra Xi3. I wanna keep that one. )

Its a plastic housing, I believe they retail for about $15 and well worth it.

[icehog3]

Palio...I try to shave off the wrapper head without any other tobacco being cut. I am usually pretty close when not perfect.

Tom... what?

In other words, I try to cut off the wrapper part of the cap and nothing else. The piece I cut off is paper thin if I do it right.

[BigJPinDC]

Ever since the first time I tried the Wolf inverse-v cutter I haven't gone back. I only have a handful of sticks that are belicosos so I sould use the basic slide cutter for those but it's V-cut for me every time.

jp

[irratebass]

Ever since the first time I tried the Wolf inverse-v cutter I haven't gone back. I only have a handful of sticks that are belicosos so I sould use the basic slide cutter for those but it's V-cut for me every time.

jp

I have a nice V-Cutter that Shilala gifted me, I haven't perfected it yet.

[Pseudosacred]

Ever since the first time I tried the Wolf inverse-v cutter I haven't gone back. I only have a handful of sticks that are belicosos so I sould use the basic slide cutter for those but it's V-cut for me every time.

jp

I have 0 experiance with V's. They kind of intimidate me...for whatever reason...

[Islayphile]

Palio...I try to shave off the wrapper head without any other tobacco being cut. I am usually pretty close when not perfect.

Yup

Palio, works like a frickin' laser!

[Tbagley]

By the way, OP, YOU DO know there were other user names available at the time you joined, right?? :r

Oh I find rather funny as I've been called that all my life and never took offense as some do it! I was called Tbag before anyone knew what tbagging was all about and damn gavity has made me an even bigger one.

I've always tried to slice just a sliver off the cap but I've got neighbor's who will just hack into the end a good half inch. Never seemed right and they just won't learn.

[tsolomon]

A good quick cut with a Palio, taking the smallest cut off the end. I have a Xikar V-cutter I use on small rg cigars sometimes, real easy to use. You can turn the cigar 90 degrees and cut again if the draw is tight. Xikar MTX multi tool where you take off just a little bit at a time. Takes some time and practice to get use to, but you can really get a nice cut.

[trendo]

Palio...I try to shave off the wrapper head without any other tobacco being cut. I am usually pretty close when not perfect.

Thats what I do, the "cranial twist" works good for this

[kickerb]

My preferred way is to run my pocket knife around the cap and then lift it off.I saw you do this at Epic last year. I have tried to do this and have failed. Maybe at Epic this year you can show me your technique :D

[ApexAZ]

I have 0 experiance with V's. They kind of intimidate me...for whatever reason...

Same. Never used one. Never really looked at one. I envision it catching the cap and just ripping it off.

[Smokin Gator]

I saw you do this at Epic last year. I have tried to do this and have failed. Maybe at Epic this year you can show me your technique :D

I'd be glad to:tu

[xFreebirdx]

http://images.wikia.com/villains/images/6/61/Guillotine.png

[BigJPinDC]

Same. Never used one. Never really looked at one. I envision it catching the cap and just ripping it off.

Nope - the inverse-v pulls out instead of chopping through. IT works with nubs and lanceros alike. Give it a try.

[shopkins82]

I like V and Punch here lately, but I keep a basic stainless slide cutter for the few belicosos I have on hand.

[BigCat]

I use a xikar. I squeeze it just enough so the blades are pressed into the cap, and then I twist the cigar. This has resulted in far fewer caps coming off than I used to get when I would just clamp down.

[IlmProcess]

Since starting up smoking again I've been without a punch, so I've been using my fingernail to do what a punch would do.

I remember someone posting some photos of this method somewhere a few years ago.

Basically you use one of your fingernails to make an indention/cut in four lines to make a square. If you've done it well enough you should be able to peel away a section of the cap and begin :)

[kelmac07]

I used a Palio exclusively up until about two years ago...still love it, but just don't use it anymore. Bought a Xikar X8 two years ago and have been using it ever since. Great cutter for $ 24.99 (sometimes can be had on the "Monster" for $ 14.99 if you're watching). :D

[deaster25]

I usually get the cap a little moist before I clamp down on it and I haven't had a problem with cracking or falling off. I use a cheap plastic cutter that I got free with a sampler over the colibri cutter I got from cbid.