Cigar Cutter Question

[MoneyPit]

My brother and I were on the golf course this weekend and we decided to have a cigar while we were waiting behind the slowest foursome on the course...

I forgot my Palio cutter and had to use his old cheap cutter that he got for free at the local cigar shop. To get to the point, I ended up with a mouthful of tobacco pieces after making the cut.

My brother claims that all of the tobacco pieces were due to the short filler in the cigar. I haven't experienced anything like this since switching to a premium cutter, but it has also been awhile since I last smoked a short filler cigar. So what do you think and what type of experience have you had with different cigar cutters?

- DoberMan

[BeeStinga]

I agree it is important to have a good cutter. I have a Xigar double bladed cutter. I was sick of my crapy single blade or loose cheaply made double cutters. Made a big difference. Also find it is important to decisively make the cut in a controlled manner, not too slow.

Nothing worse than experiencing bits coming off into your mouth during the course of an hour or more smoke. But could be for both the reasons you state. Simple way to test is get two of the same cigar and cut one with your cutter and one with your bro's. I don't smoke many short filer cigars so haven't made that connection.

[cigcars]

I have a Zino self sharpening cutter and a Xikar Mean Sardine cutter that I am very happy with. Many of the near generic double edge cutters in the tobacconist shops don't seem to hold up very well, I've found.

[MIKA27]

I have a Xikar cutter also as well as a cheap cutter I received for free whilst at LCDH in Santiago Chile.

I have used the cheap cutter and never had any issue with tobacco in my mouth other than the stogie itself.

Perhaps it was the filler?

[investandprosper]

I've gotten little bits of tobacco before, using my $100 Xikar cutter. Doesn't happen every time. Definitely not a short filler issue though.

[Fuzz]

Before switching to my Palio, I used a single blade guillotine and then an el cheapo double bladed cutter that a friend gave me. Both of them occassionally left little bits of tobacco after the cut. I'm guessing that they may not have been sharp enough to cut cleanly and were tearing the filler.

[LeafLover]

I have a palio and a xikar.

I give the edge to the palio.

Nicer looking, I like the ergonomics of it, and I feel that the blades are sharper.

I understand the argument that the tobacco bits are because it is a cigar that has short-filler tobacco. But, I have also experienced tobacco bitts when the cap was not cut cleanly and/or the cigar was dry.

[JMH]

I don't actually cut the end off the cigar. Using a double bladed cutter, I hold the cigar between the blades with a small amount of pressure at a point a bit smaller than the full ring gauge, then twist the cigar around so the blades slice through the cap, but nothing else. You can then pull the cap off, exposing the end of the cigar. Using this method, I've never had any problems with small loose bits of tobacco, a crushed smoking end, or the wrapper unraveling from the smoking end. Oh, and you don't need a sharp cutter to do it either.

[Leopolis Semper Fidelis]

I prefer using a good quality, sharp, self-cleaning punch for parejo cigars, and a Palió for figurados. ¡No hay problema!

[MoneyPit]

Thanks for all the responses, I thought the question would definitely generate mixed results. I should have noted that I thought the cigar was a little dry, not to the point of cracking, but the cutter was also very dull.

My reasoning for thinking it was the cutter is due to the fact that I have the same cheap cutter and got similar results with long filler cigars. I use to get a mouthful of tobacco pieces from it as well. Since switching to the Palio I rarely get a single small piece, but always get a very smooth clean cut.

I've definitely enjoyed hearing about everyone's cutters and cutting methods. Thanks!

[PigFish]

Short or long filler, good or bad cutter... much depends on the depth of the cut as well as the aforementioned.

Some cut only the cap. Others, like my friend Rob (aka han-solo AYALA) uses his dirty fingernails to pick the cap like a crusty scab!!! I choose a good quality cutter and cut rather deeply and briskly removing most of the cap and cutting the actual filler. In the discarded cap, you will find the tattered ends of the rounded over filler leaves that make your semicircle cap. In that cap will be the shards of filler tobacco. If you cut slowly without conviction, or use a poorly fitted or dull cutter these shards, or "dangling chads" may remain precariously attached to the smoking end of the cigar ready to cast off into your awaiting mouth. This could be what you have experienced.

I have a particular way of cutting cigars that I have only seen done by one other, a friend of mine from Isla Britain that allows one to cut deeply, but cleanly into the head while avoiding the dangling chads.

Best of luck in your analysis! Piggy

[Colt45]

but cleanly into the head while avoiding the dangling chads.

also known as clingons

[PigFish]

also known as clingons

I like your new avatar mate! Your kid is getting better!!! -LOL

[Colt45]

I like your new avatar mate! Your kid is getting better!!! -LOL

I had to lose the red "press here" button - I think members were actually pressing it

[CanuckSARTech]

I had to lose the red "press here" button - I think members were actually pressing it

Yup, I fell for it.

[toto]

I don't actually cut the end off the cigar. Using a double bladed cutter, I hold the cigar between the blades with a small amount of pressure at a point a bit smaller than the full ring gauge, then twist the cigar around so the blades slice through the cap, but nothing else. You can then pull the cap off, exposing the end of the cigar. Using this method, I've never had any problems with small loose bits of tobacco, a crushed smoking end, or the wrapper unraveling from the smoking end. Oh, and you don't need a sharp cutter to do it either.

That is also my exact method. My cutter of choice is my trusty xikar. But to be honest, I've lost more cutter than I want to remember. This method works well with even cheapo cutter that I sometimes use. I have also used my nails to pick at the cap when no cutter is avail... i.e. when i just discovered that i misplaced my cutter.

[ucla695]

I don't actually cut the end off the cigar. Using a double bladed cutter, I hold the cigar between the blades with a small amount of pressure at a point a bit smaller than the full ring gauge, then twist the cigar around so the blades slice through the cap, but nothing else. You can then pull the cap off, exposing the end of the cigar. Using this method, I've never had any problems with small loose bits of tobacco, a crushed smoking end, or the wrapper unraveling from the smoking end. Oh, and you don't need a sharp cutter to do it either.

I also use this technique for parejos. Just score the cap and flip it off. I rarely encounter bits of tobacco when doing so.

[anacostiakat]

I use two Xikar cutters. A multi-tool scissors and a titanium double blade. Both do the job for me.

Short filler cigars are gonna always be a problem IMHO.

[FireDigger]

Although I love my Xikar cutter, I think cutters are overrated unless used on figurados. For parejos, sometimes your fingernails are the best cutters.

[thechenman]

I use both Palio and the Xikar Xi3. While I think the aesthetics of the Xikar are nice with it's wood grain handles and nice shiny stainless steel, there is no queston in my min that the Palio is the superior cutter. I will also use a punch from time to time...either my Swiss Army Knife Punch or I will use an empty shell, usually 9mm or .38.

As for the tobacco fragments, I have to say that I have experienced them with different cutters, but never a punch. If the cut is not clean, even with a Palio or Xikar, then you might as well used a freebie cutter from your local B&M. As a side note, I've found th freebie cutters at my local B&M to actually be good for a few cuts before you need to toss them.

In you situation...the short filler comes into play as well. Short filler cigars will naturally tend ot leave more tobacco fragments behind even after the cut. In short, it was likely due to both the cutter and the short filler, although the cutter could have exacerbated the problem.

[samb]

I think its the cutter. Anytime i have to use my knife (on emergency only) I get a poor cut and loose tobacco. On a JLP, my double blade xikar leaves a perfect cut.

[cigcars]

I had to lose the red "press here" button - I think members were actually pressing it

So Did I

[MadMax]

Cuban Crafters Perfect Cutter. Takes the guess work out on how much to cut off. The new one works up to 56 ring, the only cutter I use. Warranty is for life!

[bob25]

Cutters are for *******,I bite the cigar and then spit it out

[Charltonc]

pinch the cap off is much better if I only have a crappy cutter. I like scissors and a punch as my preference.