What kind of cutter/punch do you use?

Originally Posted by TripleF

SilverFox turned me on to using a Kershaw Onion assisted opening knife to slice off the a smidgen of the cap.

In the past I used a knife point to cut a hole in the cap kind of the way a punch would. Today I tried using the blade of a belt knife I have. I rolled the cap over the blade to get through the wrapped, then was able to slice through the binder/filler. It worked pretty good but requires a sharp knife. I think this could also present problems if the stick was dry and brittle.

I almost always use a V cutter. Sometimes I put 2 V's on the larger RG smokes. Habit I guess.

[BigAsh]

was primarily a punch for yeays, mainly because it was built into my lighter (Nice triple soft flame Colibri).....now use my Palio with great success

[Opusfxd]

Well I used to use a Palio. But I can't find it now. Now I'm back to the quality cheap ones I've come across that have served me well.

[RightAJ]

My trusty Xikar or the more recent Palio (from SmokeyJoe)... both work awesome!

Never liked the V cut and not a fan of the punch either. I like classic stuff

aj

[Kreth]

Originally Posted by dccraft

I almost always use a V cutter. Sometimes I put 2 V's on the larger RG smokes. Habit I guess.

Just out of curiosity, having never used a V cutter: do you do two cuts side by side, or at right angles to make an X?
Posted via Mobile Device

[madwilliamflint]

I use a punch by default. Cheapy keyring one. It's just fine. With particularly tough wrappers I just twist it and let the blade do the work. If I'm patient (big if) I don't have any problems. I use a plain old double-bladed guillotine for my Mac Mad Ascots and other quickies.

Those guitar pick looking thingies look interesting though, I may make one or two of them (having a surplus of heavy gauge guitar picks to start with.)

[Zanaspus]

I used to punch all my sticks. Then I bought a Palio....

[dox47]

I have a cheapy combo v/guillotine that I usually stick in my pocket, plus a punch on my keyring. Typically I punch larger RG cigars, especially shorter ones like robustos, I feel that the constriction of the punched hole creates a more concentrated flavor and can improve the draw of a loose stick. Also, if the draw is tight after punching, it's no sweat to snip a little more off with the guillotine, ditto the v-cutter for that. I find myself using the V quite often on the longer vitolas in the 50 RG range, I like the way the V-cut preserves the shape of the cap and gives me a little more to hold onto with my teeth from time to time. Also, with a smaller cigar it's fairly easy to make a V-cut and subtly reshape the tip into something resembling the LFD Chisel tip, which I find highly desirable.

Originally Posted by madwilliamflint

Those guitar pick looking thingies look interesting though, I may make one or two of them (having a surplus of heavy gauge guitar picks to start with.)

Not sure what you are talking about. Got a pic or link?

[kgoings]

In the past I used a punch.

Then I bought a Palio, Fantastic! It doesn't ruin the head of even the most delicate cigars (like the punch has a tendency to do)

Never even SEEN a V cut.

[TonySmith]

With a smaller rg cigar 44-46 I'll use a cheap punch. Otherwise I use a palio, gifted from Dragonman. The palio is a must for torpedoes. In a pinch I'll use my pocket knife to cut the cap, it takes a sharp knife.

[md4958]

no particular order
Xikar Multi-tool
Palio
Tiffany Punch (that one was a gift)

I use a cheapy punch cutter on most cigars larger than 54 RG. On torpedos or small RG cigars, I use a guillotine cutter. No name brand that I can see, but seems to work ok. Silver all metal, seen in some of my cigar photos. Maybe I can pick up a nicer cutter in the near future.

[14holestogie]

I use a cheap bullet shaped punch most of the time to keep most of the cap intact.

I also have a Colibri cutter (gifted by my lady) that I reach for because it's convenient when I need to snip the cap off.

Palio burl cutter was my latest aquisition, but that only comes out at herfs and other times the chance of losing it are low.

[Smokin Gator]

I use a punch most of the time. I have a couple of nice Xikar ones, but I started using the cheap ones with the rubberized sides from Cbid and am hooked. The are sharp and cut a smaller hole than the Xikars. Like Shawn said... it keeps the tobacco bits out of my mouth.

For torps and pigtails I use a Xikar or a Palio depending on which one is closer. The Palio cuts a little cleaner, but I like the Xikar as well.

[Ranger_B]

Palio for me. If for some reason mine isnt around v cut with my knife.

[larryinlc]

I've used just about everything that can be used to cut a cigar, but I now use the Xikar multi-tool and never looked back. It's a fine tool.

Larry

[gettysburgfreak]

Palio, probably will never buy a different cutter

[sikk50]

I use a Xikar Xi2.

I'm going to get myself a Palio someday soon