Believe it or not, the ground we're on is winding. When the subject of cigar cutting and the "best" method to undertake is raised, passionate spirits rise, allowing the debate to get to the heart of the matter. It could almost be said that, in the absolute sense, several techniques can lend themselves to adequacy, even if this postulate will be contradicted by many aficionados. Indeed, there are many different opinions on how to master a perfect cut, each of which is almost dogmatic. In fact, there are three main ways to cut a Cigar. Of course, this doesn't preclude the use of more crude methods, such as using a sharp knife to get the job done. Basically, it's a matter of choosing the approach that suits you best. Fixed realities should have no place in a world where discovery is the watchword. Of course, each technique has its own qualities and shortcomings. Today we've decided to detail them for you, to guide you through your personal exploration.
The principle is that one cutting technique or another will lead to significant differences in smoking sensation. But don't be fooled, these variations are subtle, and the most important thing is to respect the product.
A common mistake made by beginners is to over-cut the cigar, often leading to a simple waste of your precious cigar. This can damage the wrapper, making the smoking experience particularly unpleasant. One of the tips available to you is to moisten the head with a little saliva, which will prevent your wrapper leaf from breaking. Of course, this technique is recommended when you have your own cigar cutter, as hygiene conditions dictate. Incidentally, a cigar kept at the right humidity and cut with a sharp cigar cutter should not be damaged during the cutting process. For this reason, we recommend that you always check that the blade you use to cut your cigar is razor-sharp. This will avoid unpleasant surprises, while respecting the precious qualities of these little jewels.
Cigar scissors
Cigar shears are capable of cutting cigars of any size, while allowing good visualization during the cutting operation.
Smoking Moses cigar scissors, an option with an ergonomic design. The brand, based in the small town of Maniagio - Italy's knife-making capital - manufactures its blades here.
The cigar knife
Knife lovers will be delighted with the Le Petit - Compass - Cuba Padouk - Les Fines Lames. The latter features engraved blades, giving this little marvel a jewel-like appearance. The brand takes us on a journey with its Compass line, setting sail for Cuba with its padouk handle - the emblematic tree of these islands.
Of course, there are many other more or less creative methods. Some adventurers venture to use conventional scissors, or even screwdrivers. Web explorers will marvel at the multitude of these potential exploration voices. While we certainly recommend curiosity, experience will show that certain classic techniques are still the most reliable. In the end, we can all agree on one fact: the subtleties in the variation of sensations perceptible to the amateur often abound in the order of divergent tastes and colors.
- Straight cut (cigar cutter or scissors)
- The V-cut
- The cookie-cutter method
The principle is that one cutting technique or another will lead to significant differences in smoking sensation. But don't be fooled, these variations are subtle, and the most important thing is to respect the product.
A common mistake made by beginners is to over-cut the cigar, often leading to a simple waste of your precious cigar. This can damage the wrapper, making the smoking experience particularly unpleasant. One of the tips available to you is to moisten the head with a little saliva, which will prevent your wrapper leaf from breaking. Of course, this technique is recommended when you have your own cigar cutter, as hygiene conditions dictate. Incidentally, a cigar kept at the right humidity and cut with a sharp cigar cutter should not be damaged during the cutting process. For this reason, we recommend that you always check that the blade you use to cut your cigar is razor-sharp. This will avoid unpleasant surprises, while respecting the precious qualities of these little jewels.
The straight cut
Straight cutting is probably the most commonly used method. There are a number of guillotine-type double-blade systems available for this method, as well as scissors and knives. The advantage of this technique is that it can be adapted to any type of cigar, whether figurado, Torpedo, perfecto or box pressed. Cigar cutters The Colibri brand, whose reputation extends beyond the production of lighters, also specializes in high-end cutting accessories. At Davidoff, you'll find some very interesting and elaborate models. The brand Xikar is distinguished by its futuristic circular designs. Furthermore, we don't recommend using cheap single-blade cigar cutters, as they may damage your puros when cutting. To make a straight cut, you'll need to insert the tip of your cigar head at a 90° angle through both blades of your cigar cutter. Make sure you don't go beyond the "shoulder" to remove as little of the wrapper as possible. If you're cutting a Figurado, such as the Oliva Série V Melanio Figurado Gran Reserva Limitada (10), the principle of action will be similar. Incidentally, be careful not to remove more than one or two millimetres, as this is a common mistake made by many cigar aficionados. The fact is, if you over-cut this type of cigar, you lose the very meaning of consuming a figurado. The principle is that the shape of the vitola will play a decisive role in your enjoyment of the cigar. It's better to remove a smaller part, even if it means correcting the cut from time to time, depending on your appreciation and the quality of the smoke you obtain. With figurados, it is possible to tilt your cigar, which will give a lateral cut, widening the opening without damaging the product. Once again, it's essentially a question of preference: be curious, explore!
Cigar scissors
Cigar shears are capable of cutting cigars of any size, while allowing good visualization during the cutting operation.
Smoking Moses cigar scissors, an option with an ergonomic design. The brand, based in the small town of Maniagio - Italy's knife-making capital - manufactures its blades here.
The cigar knife
Knife lovers will be delighted with the Le Petit - Compass - Cuba Padouk - Les Fines Lames. The latter features engraved blades, giving this little marvel a jewel-like appearance. The brand takes us on a journey with its Compass line, setting sail for Cuba with its padouk handle - the emblematic tree of these islands.
The V-cut
The simplest way to obtain a V-shaped cut is to use a cigar cutter adapted to this shape. This method is particularly useful when smoking a box-pressed cigar, such as the Alec Bradley Prensado Double T (20) or the Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Shark (20). However, we advise you to be careful: if the head of your wrapper is too short, you could potentially damage your cigar, so don't use this technique on small-diameter cigars (Cepo). This technique can therefore prove more perilous and less adaptable than the straight cut. The 2-in-1 cigar cutter from S.T. Dupont offers the right compromise for quality straight and V-cutting. However, the "master" of V-cutting remains the famous Colibri V-Cut cigar cuttera high-end yet affordable accessory.Die-cutting
To cut your cigar properly, simply center your cutter in the middle of the head, turning it gently while applying gentle pressure until the magic happens and you pierce the fine tobacco wrapper. Remove the blade and you're done. With this technique, you can repeat the operation until the right amount of smoke is obtained. For some, this may seem trivial, but for others it's a matter of dispute. The downside of this technique is that it's a little slower. Another element to mention is simply the absence of that sensation that many cigar enthusiasts cherish with their good old cigar cutter: the click of the two overlapping blades. The latter is probably the easiest method to employ. It's virtually impossible to miss. Davidoff offers a host of top-of-the-range cookie cutter accessories, as illustrated by the Davidoff Duocut Double Blade Punch Cutter Silver Brushedwhich is easy to carry thanks to its integrated key-ring. For enthusiasts looking for a more affordable option, the Zino Punch Cutter Z with its 9.9 millimeter circumference won't disappoint you, adapting to all kinds of vitola formats. In some cases, you'll even find lighters with integrated cookie cutters, such as the Xikar Forte Black 523BK.
Of course, there are many other more or less creative methods. Some adventurers venture to use conventional scissors, or even screwdrivers. Web explorers will marvel at the multitude of these potential exploration voices. While we certainly recommend curiosity, experience will show that certain classic techniques are still the most reliable. In the end, we can all agree on one fact: the subtleties in the variation of sensations perceptible to the amateur often abound in the order of divergent tastes and colors.
