How to Cut a Cigar: A Complete Guide with Tips, Tools & FAQs

There are times when you just can’t find a cigar cutter. While these moments can be frustrating, don’t worry – all is not lost.

There are several ways to achieve the perfect cut on your cigar with minimal tools at hand. You can even use your own hands.

This guide will show you how to cut a cigar, with a little creativity and improvisation. We’ll take you through the anatomy of your cigar, so you know exactly where to cut a cigar. You’ll discover some different cutting methods to find the best way to cut a cigar. We’ll also go through some common mistakes you should always avoid.

Before You Cut: A Quick Guide to Cigar Anatomy

Before we jump straight in, it’s important to understand the anatomy of your cigar. Many people end up cutting too much off their cigar, but with a bit of knowledge, it's easy to make the perfect cut.

In the photo above, you’ll see a diagram outlining the different components of your cigar. These are:

• Cap: This is the small piece of tobacco at the top of the cigar designed to seal the end. It’s designed to hold the cigar together and prevent it from unravelling. This is where you’ll create your cut or punch to start smoking.
• Shoulder: This is the area directly below the cap, where the cigar begins to curve toward the body.
• Head: The top portion of the cigar – this is where the cap is located. It's the part you smoke from.
• Band: This is the label wound around the body of the cigar. It serves no functional purpose, except identifying the brand of cigar.
• Body: This is the largest section of the cigar, responsible for holding the tobacco inside.
• Foot: The foot is the open end of the cigar that you light.

As you can see, cigars are carefully constructed. Cutting in the wrong place can ruin the smoking experience. If you’re wondering how to properly cut a cigar, you only need to make a small cut on the cap. This prevents the cigar from falling apart. Cutting too much can compromise its integrity.

How to Cut a Cigar: Step-by-Step Guide

There are several different ways to cut a cigar. Each impacts the draw, flavor, and overall smoking experience. Whatever method you choose, it’s good to keep in mind that the bigger the cut, the more smoke you’ll draw.

Ultimately, it depends on:

• Personal preference
• Cigar shape
• The type of cutter available

If you have a cutter at hand, it’s always better to use it rather than using a tool not designed specifically for the job.

Straight Cut (Guillotine Cutter)

If you want a smooth draw, a straight, clean cut across the cigar's cap helps provide a wide opening. Guillotine cutters can be found in single-blade or double-blade styles. The latter is more preferred.

How to use: Line up the cigar in the guillotine’s aperture so that the blades will cut above the visible cap line that rings the top of the cigar. If you can’t see any lines, then line up the cutter where the head of the cigar begins to curve, known as the shoulder. While holding the cigar and cutter steady, make a smooth and decisive cut.

Bear in mind that single-blade guillotines can sometimes fray the edge of the cigar. This happens when the blade reaches the outer edge of the cigar. Double guillotines cut from the outside in to lessen the chance of leaf damage. If you cut too far down, or at an awkward angle, this can negatively impact the smoking experience.

Cigar guillotines come in a wealth of shapes and sizes. Some of the most popular accommodate cigars of up to a 54-ring gauge with some even as high as an 80-ring gauge. Learn more about ring gauges in our guide.

V-Cut (Wedge Cut)

This is a V-shaped cut that makes a smaller, more focused opening. It helps give a more concentrated flavor and draw.

How to use: For traditional V-cutters, insert the cigar and firmly press it into the V-cutter’s aperture. The cigar band or front of the cigar should be facing up. This helps maintain a cleaner, more efficient cut, especially with pressed cigars. Quickly and confidently press the blade into the cigar. For modern, sliding blade V-cutters, use the same method as for guillotine cutters.

The V-cut is often regarded as the trickiest method to master. It removes a V-shaped wedge from the head of the cigar. V-cutters are incredibly diverse, with each designed for specific sizes or shapes. So, the one you choose will completely depend on personal preference.

Punch Cut

The punch cut puts a small hole in the cap, creating a tight draw and controlled smoking experience. This can make for a potentially stronger or more intense flavor. It also reduces the amount of debris from the tobacco.

How to use: Line up the punch cutter’s blade so that it is flush against the center of the cigar’s head. You can lightly twist the cutter to score the leaf where you plan to cut. Then, adjust the placement of the cutter accordingly. When you’re ready to make the cut, press the cutter carefully into the cigar. Rotate the cutter back and forth in a smooth twisting motion and remove.

Some argue that the smaller hole helps to better focus the flavor and body of the smoke onto the palate. Others contend a punch cutter’s hole is too small to get the full character of the tobacco. If you feel the hole is too small, you can make a few more overlapping cuts to create a bigger draw.

How to Cut a Cigar without a Cutter

How do you cut a cigar without a cutter? It depends entirely on the tools you have available to improvise. You can still apply the principles above when executing these alternative methods.

The best way to cut a cigar without a cutter will depend on the results when using the methods below. In short, it comes down to which suits you best.

How to Cut a Cigar with a Knife

Can you cut a cigar with a knife? Absolutely. A knife blade is perhaps the next best thing to an actual cigar cutter. Razor blades, scissors or other such bladed utensils can also be used in this manner. Dull blades can ruin the cigar, so be sure to use sharp blades.

Remove a thin layer of the cap sufficient enough to draw through the cigar. Carefully make an incision with slow and easy passes of the blade. You don’t want to cut too far down, or the wrapper can unravel.

Wondering how to cut a cigar with scissors? Be careful not to squeeze or pinch the cigar. Just a smooth, easy snip and you’ll be enjoying those precious Cohiba cigars in no time!

How to Cut a Cigar with a Poker

We’ll define a poker as anything with a fairly sharp point. It should poke a hole in the head of a cigar, much like a cigar pierce cutter. This includes:

• Toothpicks
• Sewing needles
• Small screws
• The sharp tips of corkscrews
• Small jeweler’s screwdrivers
• Anything else that’s small and fairly sharp

As for how to cut cigars, simply line up the pointed end of the poker at the center of the cap. Then, carefully press directly into the cigar. You don’t have to push it all the way through, just enough to draw through the cigar unimpeded. For larger ring gauges, such as a Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure, several holes might offer a better draw.

How to Cut a Cigar with a Fingernail

If you don’t have anything sharp enough handy, then you can use a fingernail or thumbnail to remove a piece of the cap. This might prove difficult for those with closely trimmed nails. But it can save a lot of time and hassle of looking for other options.

You can carefully work your nail around the edge of the cap. Lightly press into the leaf as you work in a circular motion. You can also dig your nail into one side and drag your nail across the cap to remove a portion of the leaf. Make sure to very gradually increase the pressure, being cautious not to tear the wrapper.

While this can be quick and easy, it is less precise and can excessively tear the leaf.

To Bite or Not to Bite

If you simply do not have another alternative, then biting will have to do. Biting the tip of a cigar off might be popular in movies and pop culture. In reality, it doesn’t work well with premium cigars. Firstly, it’s considered bad form. Biting into a handmade cigar can also cause extreme damage to the cigar and ruin the experience.

If biting is your last resort, work your teeth carefully and slowly around the cap until you free a piece of the leaf. You should never try to bite off the end in one quick motion. You want to respect not destroy your cigar and the cigar maker’s craft!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cutting a Cigar

Even the most experienced cigar smokers can make mistakes when cutting a cigar. A poor cut can cause issues that negatively impact the overall smoking experience.

• Clipping too much of the cap: One of the most common mistakes, even when using a cutter, is cutting off too much of the cap. Make sure to cut just above the line where the cap ends, only taking a small bit off. If you're using a punch cutter, try twisting it instead of pushing, as pushing can crack the cap.
• Cutting at the wrong angle: Make sure to always cut straight across the cap, or follow the correct technique featured above for a V-cut. This will help you avoid uneven or jagged openings.
• Cigar is too dry: If your cigar is too dry, this can create a brittleness at the cap, creating a crack once you cut into it. Make sure your cigar is properly humidified before cutting. If you want to wet the cigar immediately, simply moisten your fingertip and then dab the area. This can also help slow the burn if your cigar is burning unevenly.
• Ignoring the construction: The construction of your cigar may vary depending on the brand and ring gauge. Those with a larger ring gauge (diameter), benefit from a V-cut.
• Storing cigars at improper temperature: Even if you’ve mastered the art of cutting your cigars, fluctuations in temperature and humidity ‘stress’ or ‘shock’ your cigars. This makes them hard to light and keep burning. It’s best to store cigars in a humidor. This box is specially designed to maintain ideal humidity and temperature for cigars. That’s 65-70°F and 65-72%, if you were wondering.

Enjoying Cigars the Right Way

Knowing how to cut a cigar without a cutter is always a useful skill. With our useful guide, you can learn how to cut cigar after cigar with great results!

Now the only missing piece of the puzzle is finding the perfect cigars! At Swiss Cuban Cigars, find a wide selection of genuine Cuban brands and shop with confidence.

FAQs

Do you cut both ends of a cigar?

No, you should never cut both ends of a cigar. If you’re unsure which end of a cigar to cut, always cut the cap (the closed end where the tobacco is sealed). If you cut both ends of a cigar, you’ll destroy the product’s structure, causing the wrapper to come undone.

What is the best cut for a cigar?

The best cut for a cigar completely depends on personal preference. Some will prefer the smooth draw offered by a straight (guillotine) cut. Others will prefer the tight, controlled smoking experience of a punch cut.

What is the easiest way to cut a cigar?

The guillotine-style cigar cutter is regarded as the easiest way to cut cigars. It provides a straight, clean cut that’s less likely to create a tear in the cigar’s wrapping.