Why do you cut a cigar

While certain cigars call for using different cutters – it’s extra difficult to punch a torpedo, for instance – no one single cutter or method is “right,” “wrong” or “preferred.” You do what makes your cigar taste good, when we’re talking straight-up parejo shaped cigars. But interestingly enough, the method you use to cut your cigar can make a significant difference in the intensity of the smoke.

A classic guillotine or a scissors cut provides a wide amount of surface area at the head for a smooth, open draw. If you opt to go for a v-cut or a cat’s-eye cut on your cigar, you’ll notice a change in the concentration of the smoke and the flavors you pull through the cigar. The flavors are richer and fuller; that’s because the now-smaller opening you’ve created in the cap is funneling the smoke through a narrower opening. Even smaller is the resulting hole from punch or bullet cigar cutters; with an opening less than half of the surface area of a guillotine cut, a cigar that’s been punched might seem like it has a bit of a harder draw. But the resulting big blast of flavor that’s being channeled on the palate is what really speaks to fuller-bodied cigar smokers, upping the intensity even more. There is a downside, however, as focusing the flavor also focuses the tars and the other elements of the cigar that can lead to harsh flavors if you over smoke it…so be aware.

An interesting trial would be to take your regular go-to cigar, and try it with a different cut: does it smoke more robustly with a v-cut or punch cut? Is it more smooth with a guillotine cut, if that’s not what you regularly use? Try a cut you’ve never used and see if it makes a difference in the flavor intensity of your cigar.

THE PROPER CUT

While there is no right or wrong cutter type, there are DEFINITELY right and wrong ways to actually cut your cigar. Many people cut too much off the top of their cigar — both seasoned everyday smokers and first timers. While those unfamiliar with cigar architecture have an excuse, the seasoned everyday guy or gal is just being lazy and disrespectful of the work that goes into creating a fine smoking experience.

Cutting technique comes mostly into play when using a guillotine cutter. Backplate, V, Punches, etc… are self limiting by nature. Guillotine cutters offer the most room for error of any of the cutting tools.

Believe me, if the cap on a cigar wasn’t important, cigar rollers wouldn’t go to the trouble of putting it there. The cap of the cigar keeps the whole thing from unraveling. If you cut the whole cap off, the wrapper tobacco will stick to your lips and begin to unravel — ruining the thing that adds 50% to 75% of flavor in the process.

When cutting the top off the top of a cigar, you want to just shave off the top area of the cap — that’s it.

A cigar cutter is a mechanical device designed to cut one end off a cigar so that it may be properly smoked. Although some cigars are cut on both ends, or twirled at both ends, the vast majority come with one straight cut end and one end in a "cap" which must be cut off for the cigar to be smoked. Most quality handmade cigars, regardless of shape, will have a cap which is one or more small pieces of a wrapper pasted onto one end of the cigar with either a natural tobacco paste or with a mixture of flour and water. The cap end of a cigar is the rounded end without the tobacco exposed, and this is the end one should always cut. The cap may be cut with a knife or bitten off, but if the cap is cut jaggedly or without care, the end of the cigar will not burn evenly and smokeable tobacco will be lost.

A semi-airtight cigar storage tube and a double guillotine-style cutter

There are three basic types :

• Guillotine (straight cut)
• Punch
• V-cut (a.k.a. notch cut, cat's eye, wedge cut, English cut)

Straight cut[edit]

The straight cut is the most common, usually used on cigars with a smaller ring gauge. This cut uses a quick straight cut causing both ends of the cigar to be exposed. The double blade guillotine is preferred by many aficionados over the single blade, because it usually makes a cleaner cut. Cigar scissors are also used to make straight cuts, and may be the best choice for cutting the cigar with exactness. However, the guillotines are usually the most practical, the least expensive, and can be easily and safely carried in shirt or trouser pockets. Most prefer this cut because the entire cap end is exposed allowing for maximum smoke to exit with only minimum buildup occurring around the edge.

Punch cut[edit]

There are three basic types of cigar punches, a bullet punch, Havana punch, and multi-punch. The bullet punch is a bullet shaped device that fits on a keychain. The punch can be twisted to expose a circular blade, used to cut a hole in the cigar cap. This cut is preferred by some, as it exposes less of the filler and binder and reduces the chance of tobacco ending up in the mouth. Critics of this cut maintain that the smaller hole does not allow as much smoke to come out and the hole is often clogged with a saliva and tobacco buildup. One problem associated with these otherwise handy, durable and inexpensive devices is that the unscrewable top is easy to lose, leaving the blade exposed in the user's pocket. "Havana punches" offer some of the same convenience but with more safety. Rather than an easy-to-lose top, the blade is recessed and springs out at the push of a button. Multi-punches offer different-sized punch holes for different sizes of cigars. Not Considered a Cigar Cutter, as it does not cut (action) but rather cores or punches.[by whom?][citation needed]

The last of the most common type of cuts is the V-cut. V-cutters look like guillotine cutters, but cut a wedge into the cigar cap rather than completely removing it, creating a clean-looking gash. The V-cutter was originally designed for pyramid shaped vitolas. This type of cut allows the smoker to get a deep cut into the V shaped cigar. Good V-cutters penetrate deeper into the filler than straight cutters, and some smokers prefer them for thicker gauge cigars too. However, cheap V-cutters can result in sloppy cuts too deep into the cigar, which result in an uneven burn.

History[edit]

Frederick William Fairholt, in 1859, describes an early cigar cutter as follows:

In Berlin, a few years ago, an ingenious pocket- knife, entirely of steel, was fabricated for the use of cigar-smokers, of which we here give an engraving.
It had all the strength of the usual knife, but the spring was so constructed that it did not shut down to the edge of the blade; the cigar-end being placed through the aperture at the end, the point of the knife, on being pressed down by the finger, cut off the end of the cigar.[2]

Fairholt also describes a variation on the cigar cutter watch fob:

Another simple little implement, to act as cigar-cutter and holder... The double cutter at one side takes off the end of the cigar, and, when closed, acts as a hold for the finger and thumb, the opposite arms closing round the cigar and securing it very firmly. A small loop on one of the cutters allows it to be attached to the watch-chain if desired.[1]

Danger of injury[edit]

It is possible to receive a severe injury from a poorly handled cigar cutter. In 1999, basketball star Michael Jordan injured a finger with a cigar cutter which some believe led to his second retirement.[3][4]

What happens if you dont cut a cigar?

Is it better to cut or poke a cigar?

What is the point of smoking a cigar?