Cutting your Cigar with a Knife

[SilverFox]

Ok so about 2 maybe 3 months ago I mistakenly gave away my last Palio at a herf to a guy that didn't have one. So now I am without a cutter for my cigars. Not one to be thwarted by such a thing I decided to use my pocket knife, I am never without my Kershaw Onion, or my Boker Magnum Gentlemens pocketknife.

I did this one night and actually found it was a good way to settle into the enjoyment of my cigar, kind of a little ritual. I mentioned it too Al that I do this and he suggested that I post up the technique.

This I imagine will not work for Torps as they need to be clipped but I could cut the end of with my knife I am sure, it is very sharp enough.

Anyway, this is how I go about it.

Clearly the first step is to have the right equipment, I would never use anything but a very sharp knife.


http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1000Up1.jpg?t=1234125900

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1002UP2.jpg?t=1234125926

Most cigars I smoke are triple capped (the cap is the round piece of tobacco that is at the head of the cigar the foot is the open end) as you can see by the three seams just a few mm past the rounded edge towards the band.

Here is a closer look where I am indicating approximately where the cut line will be. Be sure not to cut below the last seam or it is likely that your cigar will unravel.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1003UP3.jpg?t=1234126058

Grasp the Cigar firmly in your one hand and place the knife on your cutting edge with your thumb on the otherside to add pressure. Apply just enough pressure so that the knife cuts the cap leaf but does not penetrate the binder. You can feel this quite easily.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1004UP4.jpg?t=1234126150

Continued in next post

[SilverFox]

Then proceed in a circular motion fully around the cigar meeting your starting cut on the other side taking care to apply even pressure and not to cut yourself.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1005UP5.jpg?t=1234126369
Once you are fully around the circumference of the Cigar I use the knife to gently pry up the cap away from the head of the cigar and remove.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1006UP6.jpg?t=1234126460
As you can see I get a perfect piece of cap with no damage to the Cigar and no removal of binder or filler which I like.
http://s247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/?action=view&current=KnifeCut1007UP7.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1009UP8.jpg?t=1234126628
This may not be the fastest or most efficient way to cut the Cigar but like I said I find it to be an enjoyable little ritual that sets the tone for a great smoke. The next part would be lighting the cigar. Maybe I will post up a thread on that…………………..Later. Hope this was useful or you at least enjoyed.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/silverfox67/Cut%20Like%20a%20Knife/KnifeCut1010UP9.jpg?t=1234126732

[Pat1075]

Very cool, and different thank you for this I will have to try this tonight.

[JPH]

Nicely done... I always admire the step by step posts.

A quick little nibble with the teeth is also a pretty good way to do it...Rotating the cigar and carefully nibbling.

[Bax]

You're about an hour late! I just destroyed 2 cigars trying to cut with a knife.I hate losing my cutter!!!!!

[kayaker]

That looked great Shawn.

I was once stuck without a cutter and used a knife, but a little differently than that. I didn't trust the sharpness of the knife to try a straight cut, and didn't think to try what you did. Instead, I used the point of the knife to cut a circle in the cap, similar to what a punch would do.

It certainly wasn't as clean a job as what a punch could do, but it worked well enough in that situation.

Well done.:tu

PS Nice looking knifes you have, and SHAWN NEEDS A NEW CUTTER!!!!

[14holestogie]

That is kinda cool. Thanks for posting it. :tu

I may have some concerns with someone trying this after a few, I don't know, glasses of scotch? :al Perhaps an addendum on some first aid techniques would be in order. :r Just sayin....

[Genetic Defect]

I get a similar result in "biting" the cap off.

[Volt]

That Boker Magnum Gentlemens pocketknife is gorgous and using a RA, just makes a man drool. Thanks for the "how to", great reading.

[Snake Hips]

I'll have to remember this, and try it sometime. Whenever I'm stuck with just a knife, I always just made a v-cut.

[dunng]

Great post! I've used a stanley blade in a pinch! :tu

[duckmanco]

I have been using my middle finger nail for a while in the same fashion. It seems to not mash the filler together which I think can sometimes tighten the draw.

Are we all overthinking this...... yes, but still, its good to know when you are without a cutter. Nicely done.

[Cigarcop]

Just great Shawn, now I need a Boker Magnum Gentlemens pocketknife :dance:

[nozero]

Ok so about 2 maybe 3 months ago I mistakenly gave away my last Palio at a herf to a guy that didn't have one. So now I am without a cutter for my cigars. Not one to be thwarted by such a thing I decided to use my pocket knife, I am never without my Kershaw Onion, or my Boker Magnum Gentlemens pocketknife.

I did this one night and actually found it was a good way to settle into the enjoyment of my cigar, kind of a little ritual. I mentioned it too Al that I do this and he suggested that I post up the technique.

This I imagine will not work for Torps as they need to be clipped but I could cut the end of with my knife I am sure, it is very sharp enough.

Anyway, this is how I go about it.

Clearly the first step is to have the right equipment, I would never use anything but a very sharp knife.

Most cigars I smoke are triple capped (the cap is the round piece of tobacco that is at the head of the cigar the foot is the open end) as you can see by the three seams just a few mm past the rounded edge towards the band.

Here is a closer look where I am indicating approximately where the cut line will be. Be sure not to cut below the last seam or it is likely that your cigar will unravel.

Grasp the Cigar firmly in your one hand and place the knife on your cutting edge with your thumb on the otherside to add pressure. Apply just enough pressure so that the knife cuts the cap leaf but does not penetrate the binder. You can feel this quite easily.


Continued in next post

That looked great Shawn.

I was once stuck without a cutter and used a knife, but a little differently than that. I didn't trust the sharpness of the knife to try a straight cut, and didn't think to try what you did. Instead, I used the point of the knife to cut a circle in the cap, similar to what a punch would do.

It certainly wasn't as clean a job as what a punch could do, but it worked well enough in that situation.

Well done.:tu

PS Nice looking knifes you have, and SHAWN NEEDS A NEW CUTTER!!!!

Both very good suggestions! Thanks gentlemen!

[groogs]

Great Post, I will keep it in mind if I ever find myself withought a cutter, because I am never withought a pocket knife.

[WyGuy]

I used to use that technique before I got my Palio, works great!

[hotreds]

Nice!

[JE3146]

Very cool Shawn :)


But what you're really saying is that you need a palio ;)

[Chompers]

Nice post!

Makes we want to get a really nice knife,lol

[brigey57]

Nice clean cut. When I first started reading this post I thought Oh No you're going to butcher the cigar. Nice surprise with the clean cut of the cigar. :ss

[Genetic Defect]

Very cool Shawn :)


But what you're really saying is that you need a palio ;)

did I mention I lost both my palios

[acarr]

Very cool. I think all of us have tried unconventional ways of cutting. Anybody ever try the Clint Eastwood way of biting it off?

[Genetic Defect]

I get a similar result in "biting" the cap off.

Very cool. I think all of us have tried unconventional ways of cutting. Anybody ever try the Clint Eastwood way of biting it off?

:)

[Starscream]

That looks kinda like peeling an apple. Never seen or heard of this being done, but looks like an excellent method to remove the cap before smoking. Great post!

[Prefy]

Well Apparently I forgot my Palio at Shaggy's today and he informs me that it will now be sold. So it looks like I'm going to be cutting some cigars with my Buck 110. So this info couldn't have come at a better time!!

Mike's a bastage by the way:r:r

[gvarsity]

Beautiful knives. I have cut cigars with knives for years. I just make a vertical slit in the cap. It takes a minute or two to open up sometimes but it works very well. I often just use my little swiss army knife which is a very useful little cigar tool. Just don't let the nub burn down to far if you have it speared on the toothpick. :)

[CBI_2]

Very Cool. Thanks.

Nice knives also BTW.

[perogee]

hhhmmmmm, wondering if there may be a gb for a new "cigar tool" :hm








:D

[Volt]

Well Apparently I forgot my Palio at Shaggy's today and he informs me that it will now be sold. So it looks like I'm going to be cutting some cigars with my Buck 110. So this info couldn't have come at a better time!!

Mike's a bastage by the way:r:r

Absolutly, hands down my favorite work, utility knife. Excellant length, sturdy, brass looks good. Been carrying mine for almost 30 years. It has a classic look.

[Starchild]

I started out using a knife exactly as you described. I didn't even own a cutter for a while. The first time I tried to cut a torpedo I went and got a cheap cutter. I couldn't find my cutter the other night, so I actually used a knife for the first time in a while.

Great post!

[elderboy02]

Nice post sir!

[rrplasencia]

great pics, i've used a sashimi knife before.

[68TriShield]

I think if I had to use a knife,I'd attempt a V cut first.

[cigardude]

nice indeed

[JJG]

I've adopted the same method for using a knife described in the original post. not out of necessity but preference. I'm just less likely to crack the wrapper even though my double guillotine works pretty well too.

[Tio Gato]

As a chef I do a lot of close knife work. The most important thing I've learned is hold the blade still and rotate what you're cutting. That way if you slip with the cigar you get an uneven cut, not a gash in yourself.
I've cut tons of cigars with a serated Spyderco pocket knife. Get the edge of the cap riding in one of the serations and rotate the cigar. It makes for a great cut.
A good benefit of cutting with a knife is jokers are less likely to ask you to put it out if they see you cutting it with a big pig sticker.:cool2:

[TripleF]

Very cool and informative bro.....thanks!!! :tu

I once did a v-cut with my pocket knife.

[Good_Stogies_Mon]

Great tip. I used to do it that way before I got a good cuter and you are rite, it works very well.

[ucla695]

Great technique. I'll remember to use it when I'm sans cutter.

[688sonarmen]

Nice, sucks to lose you cutter though. When this happens to me I will slice an "X" on the bottom of the cap and not actually remove any of the cap. Works every time and is a sure and easy way to have an even draw on what you are smoking.

[NTA_Ben]

slicing an X? That sounds interesting. I will have to try that. Thanks!

[Pistol]

I use a knife all the time, but not for a notch cut. I just use a sharp knife to remove the top cap, it works great. *edit* I just read the original post, yeah, I do it just like that and I get a cleaner cut than when I use my Palio - GASP!

[shilala]

If I don't have a cutter handy, I tear whatever needs tore off with my teeth. Then I chew on that stuff. Then I make my whole cigar a big slobbery mess while I'm smoking it, cause I chew on it, too.
I'm trying to become a little more gentlemanly about it cause the slobber makes really good cigars go out too quick.
If I'm not real careful, like when I'm working, the slobber will run down the cigar and put it out. That's upsetting.

[whodeeni]

Thanks for Sharing, one of my boys' favorite phrases is: "They don't have cutters in Cuba"! *lol*:r

Great Thread!:tu

[gijoey959]

Haha, I should have posted this when I first joined! This is how I was doing it for about 3 months until I was given a cutter!

good post, pretty much exactly how I did it, except I was using a Blackhawk Tatang, so there were some complexities :P

[neoflex]

You guys that do it this way have some patience. I know I would end up butchering it. If in a jam I usually try and find a razor or knife and cut a hole in the end like a punch. Anything more than that I guarantee I am going to be fighting unraveling and mouth fulls of tobacco chunks.

[Mindflux]

This thread could also be known as: "How do lop off the end of your thumb".

[JohnE1000]

Why not use the cutter?

[Jack1000]

Nice knives.

[hotreds]

Always have back-up!

[kydsid]

Nice technique. I am a clutz and against blood on my cigars but still nice.

[Salvelinus]

I lost my cutter so borrowed a surgical scalpel blade from the lab I work in. It is ridiculously sharp, makes easy work of any flat end. Not so good on the torps though. I lose accessories, no reason for me to buy another cutter.

[Jack1000]

I cut a parti short with an exacto knife last night. I just cut a small circle like a punch would. It worked great.

[Lucky_Hippo]

This thread convinced me that I NEEDED to go out and purchase a Ken Onion Leek and Chive.


Thanks fellas!

[Pat1075]

I think if I had to use a knife,I'd attempt a V cut first.

A V is really easy with a razor blade. Its how we V cut the larger nubs for customers at the shop.

[saru22]

That damascus steel is beautiful. Nice work and knives.

[Katmancross]

Great photos! And great technique. But I have two back up options. I keep a cigar spike on my key chain. And I keep a completely flat stainless steel guillotine cutter in my wallet.
Failing that, if you hold your cigar in your mouth for a few minutes, your saliva will make taking off the cap easy.

[J.W.]

I have always used a knife. Just my way.

J.W.

[Zeuceone]

Definatly have to try this out.

[ylo2na]

Nice pics... with a sharp knife, as shown, why not just slice a line across the top of the cap (not too deep) and be done with it. For me, I use a single edged razor blade and it works very well and I dont end up with all of the loose tobacco as a byproduct of the circular cut or punch. It works very well...
Ylo2na

[Flynnster]

Did this a few weeks ago, was at a hotel and had forgotten my cutter at home. Worked great.

[Wolfgang]

I cant believe I missed this. I have almost every cutter known to man but its the knife that always gives me the cut I want. :D You aren't alone Fox.

[SteveH]

This thread convinced me that I NEEDED to go out and purchase a Ken Onion Leek and Chive.


Thanks fellas!

+1

[Ciqir]

Nice one! Another justified tool.

Anyone have tips on making a V cut with a knife?

[BTcigars]

Great post, thanks!

[Wolfgang]

Nice one! Another justified tool.

Anyone have tips on making a V cut with a knife?

be careful and slide the knife forward at the angle you want. Ill throw some pictures up in a bit.

[mfarre03]

Great post, I have destroyed the end of cigars many a time with a Ginsu, lol. If I don't have a cutter and I am smoking anything but a Torpedo, I gently remove the cap with my teeth. I will get the end pretty wet, not soaked, roll it around a bit in my mouth and start to loosen the cap with my teeth. The cap comes off with no mess and I have never had a cigar unravel.

[nofeardiver]

Nice post, two very nice knives, i am a huge kershaw fan, that is nice knife... will have to try this if i ever dont have my palio on me...

[Smokin Gator]

I've been using this technique for a couple of weeks now and love it. I always have a knife or two with me and I really like the draw if gives.