Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

***Sorry for the length of the write-up...it kinda got away on me***

Having read the previous thread about this item on CA, it's clear not everyone is interested in it. There are some who are more than happy to stick with what works for them. Great. However, there are some who are curious or even interested in it. Maybe they're collectors like me who like to have at least 1 of each kind of cutter available. Maybe they just like checking out the newest thing. I just got mine in the mail today so I thought I'd write about my first impressions (as I've only used it once) for those interested.

As with a lot of new products, this one makes some interesting claims. The company who makes it (I believe it's CigarTech but I could be wrong) claims that it allows the smoker to more easily control the draw of the cigar. They also claim that not cutting the cap off increases the amount of flavor you get from the stick, as well as the claim that having the 6 slits vs. cutting off part of the cap allows for a cooler smoke and more even draw and burn. Finally the claim is that, the slits being where they are, the smoke is directed right to the front of the palate so that some of the more pleasant flavors of the cigar can be easily experienced.

The cutter currently only comes with a plastic body and retails for about $20. It comes in the shape of what I would describe as a capsule. Once the cap comes off, inside there are 6 very small blades in a kind of "star" pattern. It's actually pretty simple to use. You simply insert the head of your cigar into the body of the cutter with firm, but relatively easy pressure until you can't push further. You will hear the blades cut into the cap. Once you've done that, the cut is done and you can take the cigar out. This leaves the cap with 6 slits around the outside. The slits are nearly invisible in my experience but if you squeeze the cap with very slight pressure the slits open up (although this isn't necessary in order to draw from the cigar). However, the company states that the whole idea behind controlling your draw is to squeeze open the slits more or less if you need to open it up. All the instructions for use were included with the cutter I bought.

So in my experience, this cutter delivers on at least some of the maker's claims. I did find that my cigar didn't feel as hot as I'm used to even within 3 inches of being done. However, this may be a matter of perception. Since the cap wasn't open, the heat isn't being vented through a big opening. Still, having the cigar and smoke stay cooler for longer was pleasant. Where some might be turned off is how I found you need to position the cigar in your mouth in order to get a proper draw. Since I'm mostly used to guillotine cutters, I don't normally put the cigar very far into my mouth when I draw from it (since, with guillotines, the cap is cut on the very top end). Since this cutter puts the slits on the outside (otherwise known as the shoulder) of the cap, I had to put the cigar a little further in my mouth than I'm used to. However, I quickly got used to this within a few minutes and found that once I started into a habit of drawing "correctly", I did it without having to think about it.

What I'm not sure about is the truth behind the claims of the smoke being more flavorful and the burn more even than with another style of cut. The only way to truly test these claims, IMO, is to do a full field test where multiple cigars and cutters are used (although the cigars would probably have to all be the same kind). That said, I did find that the burn on my cigar was more consistently even than I'm used to and more quickly self-corrected, when it did start to become uneven, than I've seen before. Then again, that also could have resulted from the way the cigar was made. There's no question that whether you believe what the company tells you could easily be a matter of perception.

Personally, I definitely like this cutter and will be using it a lot more on different types of cigar vitolas since the idea is that it should work on nearly any cigar (e.g. torpedos, pyramids, etc.). If you like the idea of having different ways to cut your cigars and you like to try new things, I would definitely suggest giving this one a try.

The picture below clearly isn't pro but you get the idea...

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...68472131_n.jpg

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Thanks for Info :tu

I'll stick with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" group. It's a cool idea and way to think out out of the box.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Nice review Vin, I'd be willing to try it out sometime....why not?

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

thanks for reading and for the comments guys.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

I got one for free with an order from CI. Might actually have to give it a shot.

** CAUTION **

Do not stick your finger in there. Those little blades are sharp as hell.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

:r:r:r

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

:lr

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

I thought that's what they used at the doctor's office to prick your finger!

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If someone sent me one to try, I would give it a shot and send it back....but I have plenty of good cutters so0 that I don't want or need to spend money on another.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Thanks for the write up.

I'm not sure I'll buy one until I try it.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

lol maybe i'm misunderstanding what you're saying. you'd try it and send it back even if you liked it?

i can respect people sticking with that they already have in terms of purchases. like i said, getting the newest thing isn't what everyone's into.

yeah, i couldn't agree more. i mean, i bought it without trying it but only because i heard recommendations from some people whose opinions i've learned i can trust (and because i'm an accessory slut). i don't think i'd recommend to anyone to buy one of these without trying it first.

i'm just not sure if i'll ever use another cutter unless it's for a cigar that this won't really work on or if i get a cigar that's plugged. this cutter would be virtually useless on something that's plugged, for obvious reasons.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

They should hire you to help them market it, as you seem to be very satisfied.

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So how far would a churchill have to go in the mouth to get a proper draw?

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I think what Tom is saying is that if someone were to loan him one of these by sending it to him that he would give it a try and ship it back to the lender. That's what I would do.

Hey Bill, I though you were into getting new accessories and passing them around. Maybe this would be a great idea for the next lighter/cutter pass you host?

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Pretty much, Mario...saying that I would have to try it for myself before shelling out $20, and it would have to be an improvement over my Palios and XiKar cutters and XiKar punch before I would buy it.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Is this the voice of experience?

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If there was enough interest sometime early next year I would make it happen.

Recently I've been changing up my entire collection so it would be a while still before I'd be ready to host another pass. I would project 4-6 months and I would want to grab the most unique lighter(s) and cutter(s) to pass around.

If I were to do another though there would be ZERO NC's unless someone wants to do a 50-50 pass and they could do their takes with the NC's. But I have none.

This is entirely dependent on interest though.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

oh ok. sorry, i didn't quite get you the first time. i'm pretty new to CA and the antics you all get up to here :D

yeah, for sure though...if it's not an improvement there's no need to replace something you already like.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Same distance as a:
Robusto
Corona
Corona Gorda
Toro

you get the point.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

right...sorry zeuce, i missed your question. what i was saying in my write-up was not that different size cigars have to go further than others, but that i have to put any cigar that's cut with the Shuriken further in than i would if it was cut with a guillotine, punch, scissors, etc.

thanks for spotting that, Wade.

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hows it function on lanceros, pantelas, torpedos, figurados, nubs, etc (alright, you dont have to answer that last one :ss)? just curious, i think i'd give it a try as well, but im hesitant. my boss tried it at ipcpr, said it was kinda awkward but an interesting idea

stearns

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

that's a great question. i haven't tried it on a shaped cigar yet but that's the next test. however, i've heard others who've used it on a torpedo say that it works, but again you have to put the cigar further in your mouth when drawing than you might be used to. that person said that with a torpedo they're not sure they're comfortable with it. i'll let you know as soon as i try it.

yeah, it is kinda awkward at first, as some new things are. i actually found a Xikar XI1 to be a little awkward the first time i used one. i'd say give it a shot if you get them at your shop (you said your boss was at ipcpr, i assumed that meant you worked at a B&M). i used it tonight for the 2nd time and i'm liking it even more now, but maybe that's just me.

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indeed i do, however i doubt i'll see this coming through the door any time soon. ah well, im sure someone will bring one to a herf or something.

stearns

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Thanks for the review. I had written this cutter off as a gimic, but after reading your review I have realised it may be some thing I might try sometime. I wouldn't purchase one without trying it first so maybe I'll run into somebody with one at a herf or something. I am planning on getting a Palio next. I am also turned off by the shape and size of the cutter in the OP. It seems too cumbersome to carry in your pocket.

Are you excited to see me or is that a Shuriken cutter in your pocket?!

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

LOL shane...i'm sure if i met you i would be excited...and claim it was just a Shuriken.

you're right, i think the shape and size will put some people off. i'm used to carrying a lot in my pockets though, so i guess that's prepared me for this.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

I am always excited to see shane ;)

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Thanks for the review! I have the freebie from CI, looks identical to yours except mine is called a Fidello.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...elioclosed.jpg

It appears to have the same six blades, too.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...id_open2-1.jpg

I have used it on a couple or three dozen cigars. Here is what I learned so far.

For big ring cigars say 55+, I push the cigar in to it stops.

For small ring cigars, I check the cap or make a guess and push the cigar but try to stop before it bottoms out. This kind of alleviates the need to put so much of the cigar in your mouth. This swag method also works on shaped cigars. After all, the reason to cut a cigar is to be able to draw it. Not much of a cut is needed to get through the cap.

This trying to guess how much to press the cigar into the cutter causes a learning curve that only takes a few tries to get a cut you like/want. All cutter types take a bit to learn except for (maybe) the Cuban Crafters Perfect Cut, which I don't own, yet.

As for the claims on the description, advertisement writing is a skill to get you to spend your money.

Except for the size, I like mine and use it on every cigar smoked when I'm home. The "capsule" is to much for me to carry in my pocket.

I keep a punch on my key chain and a Palio in my Jeep. Even have a V-cut that some times resides in my travel-dor.

No so sure I would have bought one at 20 bucks, but now I am happy with it.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

thanks for posting, bruce. i'll definitely keep your advice in mind when it comes to cutting different sizes/shapes of cigars.

yeah, i heard about the fidello after i heard about the shuriken but apparently they both started advertising a month or 2 before ipcpr. i don't know what's up with that, maybe someone forgot to patent their design.

but my question for you is: now that you've been using it for quite some time, would you say that a $20 price would have been worth it had you been convinced to buy it?

from my own point of view, there are a lot of cigar cutters out there that are more than $20 but the companies that make some of them also offer lifetime warranties...i'm thinking $20 is the right price for this. maybe it could have been priced at $15 but it seems like $20 isn't too much considering how much it can be used.

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Guess these are not doing well. They are on C-monster mashup for 12.98

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Thanks for posting this! I just ordered one. $13? I'll wager for $13!

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Where are you guys finding this for $13?

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

shows up on cigarmonster.com every couple days. check between 11am and pm eastern time during the mashup

Re: Shuriken Cutter: First Impressions
 

Thanks for that. I hadn't found that page yet.