How to Choose a Cigar Cutter?
Choosing the right cigar cutter is a lot like picking the right type of wine for dinner. While a hearty sauvignon with steak and a crisp chardonnay with seared tuna sounds simple enough, the real dynamics are much more complex. So, how can you pick the right cigar cutter?
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Cigar Cutter
When a cigar is simply calling your name but you don’t know how to choose a cigar cutter, consider the following before proceeding.
Cigar Size and Shape
One of the most beautiful aspects of cigars is their broad variety in length, thickness (ring gauge), and shape. However, it’s important to match the limitations of the cutter you choose with the cigar type you’re smoking. While the open back of a guillotine may be perfect for that torpedo, it might not be the best choice for a 60+ ring gauge cigar.
Cigar Smoking Location
Choosing the right cigar cutter can be an easy decision when considering your smoking location. Are you smoking at your desk? At the beach? Maybe you’re just having a quick smoke while driving your car.
Cigar cutters like the easy cutter work best for on-the-go tasks such as driving, golfing, or yard work. A single or double guillotine or using a built-in punch may work best if you’re prone to losing items.
The Top Types of Cigar Cutters
Fortunately for the modern cigar smoker, cigar cutters come in all sizes, functions and fashions for easy and convenient cutting that best suits the individual smoker.
Straight Cutter
Also known as a single guillotine, the straight cutter is the most popular style for cigar connoisseurs across the world. Its construction is simple, with a single moveable blade and stationary receiving side. With a straight cutter, cutting cigars is a breeze.
The straight cutter is most noted for its general ease of use for experienced smokers, with some learning curve for newbies. The straight cut is also a versatile one, capable of tackling most vitolas
However, the straight cutter has a moderate learning curve for the new cigar smoker, who may over-cut or under-cut a cigar. Under-cutting a cigar makes for a tight draw with less smoke and flavor. On the other hand, over-cutting can damage the wrapper and cause it to unravel- compromising the integrity of the cigar and its flavor.
Learning to cut a straight line in a cigar is a delicate art. It can, however, be mastered with plenty of practice, patience, and experience.
Double Guillotine
A relative of the single guillotine but with a bit more pizazz. The double guillotine features two cutting blades, as opposed to the fixed-handle found in the single guillotine.
V-Cutter
Also known as the wedge cutter or cat’s eye, the V-cutter is a very special cigar cutter. With a guard in place to avoid over-cutting, this cutter uses a v-shaped blade that results in a deep, yet thin cut.
One of the V-cutter’s obvious pros is its ease of use; no matter the experience level it’s nearly impossible to mess up this simple cut. Though highly subjective, devoted v-cutters swear the deeper cut provides a better draw and a more flavorful experience than a straight cut.
While its flaws are few, a v-cutter is severely limited in the ring gauges and shapes it can cut.
Punch Cutter
When it comes to the punch cutter, simplicity is the name of the game. A punch cutter’s construction is straightforward. It is composed of a handle or grip attached to a slightly sharpened metal ring that punctures the head of the cigar.
The pros of using a punch cutter are almost impressive. Its design makes it so easy to travel with that many quality cigar lighters have a punch cutter built-in. Additionally, punch cutters are both incredibly easy to use and versatile.
While a punch cutter may struggle with the contours of the torpedo, they can cut every ring gauge imaginable, from a minuscule 42-ring to an immense 80-ring gauge.
Scissor Cutter
Perhaps one of the most intuitive designs on this list is the scissor cutter. A sophisticated cigar-cutting method, these elementary cigar cutters make choosing a cigar cutter simple with their ability to cut cigars of any shape or size.
While the learning curve for new smokers is similar to that of the single guillotine, time and practice will soon have you feeling confident. The only real drawback is their bulky size, making them difficult to travel with or use on the go. However, modern scissor cutters can vary in size and even fold up for easy travel.
Perfect-Cut Cutter
Otherwise known as an easy-cut, the perfect-cut is a newer innovation in cigar cutters. Naturally, they are limited to the fixed ring gauge of the guard and are unable to handle a figurado, a specially-shaped cigar, of any kind.
Combing the cutting guard of the v-cutter with the same cut style as the single guillotine, these cigar cutters are:
- Incredibly easy to use.
- Perfect for travel.
- Provide a clean, mess-free cut.
Curious about the other cigar tools you can buy? Check out the best cigar accessories.
How to Use a Cigar Cutter
A simple step-by-step guide to use for the next time you light up that choice cigar with a simple straight cigar cutter.
Steps for a Simple Straight Cut
- Inspect Your Cigar: Look at the closed end (the cap) of the cigar. The goal is to remove just enough to open the cigar without unraveling it.
- Position the Cigar: Hold the cigar in one hand, near the cap. Make sure you’re holding it steady but not too tightly.
- Place the Cutter: Open the blades of the cutter. Position the cigar so that the cap is inside the cutter. Aim to cut about 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.5 to 3 mm) from the end. Ensure you’re cutting above the shoulder of the cigar (where it starts to curve).
- Make the Cut: In one swift motion, close the blades of the cutter to slice through the cap of the cigar. Ensure the cut is a quick and decisive action for a clean cut.
- Inspect the Cut: Check the cut end of the cigar. It should be clean and straight. If the cut is uneven or if there is any tearing, you may need to trim a bit more for a clean edge.
To keep your cigars in prime cutting condition, you should be storing them in a humidor. Find out all about these essential cigar containers, you can check out our Cigar Humidifier: Essential for Optimal Cigar Preservation article.
The Best Cigars for the Top Cutters
With the right cigar cutter, you can significantly enhance your smoking experience, ensuring a perfect draw and preserving the integrity of your premium cigars. Of course, having the best technique for cutting cigars means nothing if your cigar is dried out! Swiss Cuban Cigars has some great tips on cigar humidification (and more) if you want to learn how to keep your cigars in premium smoking condition.Ready to put your new cigar-cutting skills to the test? Explore Swiss Cuban Cigars fine selection of top-quality Cuban and international cigars. Elevate your cigar experience with the best cigars on the market. Visit Swiss Cuban Cigars today and find the perfect smoke for every occasion.