Just a thought

[mk05]

If there's one thing I learned from all these reviews, it's that 1 of 6 tend to chop off the final 1/3 off the cigar. While I respect the individual's prerogative to such, I would like to suggest that a less generous haircut be applied upon your next cigar.

As for myself, I preach the adage, "you can always take more off, but you can't put it back on." Play around with it, see how a cut enhances or transforms the smoke. A torpedo is a torpedo for a reason.

There are only two ways I personally cut. Any cigar that is not a torpedo, I use my fingers and scratch off the cap. Tiny bit, maybe the circumference of a pencil. If the head is pushed in, it's easy to yank out as well. If it's a torpedo, I always cut a little bit on a bias to start, test the draw - I'm looking for that point where it's not full suction, but not yet a windtunnel - usually 1/3" diameter on bias.

EDIT: I love cigars eith pigtails. Skinny or fat. Just twist it off for the perfect draw.

[Rushman]

Anything 42rg or higher I use a punch. I start with a small cut on piramides although I don't smoke very many of those.

For smaller rg cigars I snip a very small slice off the cap.

[gigabyte056]

For smaller rg cigars , I press the foot against a box within the cutter.

That way I insure the cut is as fine as possible.

[investandprosper]

I've found that I get fuller flavors with a cut than a punch. Also, I've noticed that smoke is hotter through a punch.

I'm smoking an '01 Siglo IV that I had initially punched. After I clipped the cap, the flavors are more robust. Just an observation.

[LGC]

Always a cut for me... SAK 95% of the time... Palio the rest. Occasionally, I'll scratch off just the cap. I don't like the tar accumulation that sometimes is a problem with punch cuts.

[Zigatoh]

I cut, but try and keep it under the distance of the triple cap, so there's still a ring of cap to hold it all together...

[ramon_cojones]

Always cut but maybe 1/8" in ever so slight, perfect every time.

[CaptainQuintero]

Always use a cut regardless of size for me, moisten the cap a tad and then take half the cap away.

The only time I don't use a cut is cigars from 99-2001 I use a v cutter which I find gives me more of an open draw to even out any tight construction issues.

[Hamlon]

I always use my palio cutter but I make sure to cut as little as possible. I've got a punch cutter aswell but that little sucker spends most of its time as a key chain. Great backup if I forget to bring the palio, too!

[riazp]

thanks to my triple punch i can basically punch any cigar. its great. LLC was telling me that he v-cuts his torps, gives it a good draw. i'll have to try that next time.

[Hohenthal]

"you can always take more off, but you can't put it back on."

EDIT: I love cigars with pigtails. Skinny or fat. Just twist it off for the perfect draw.

+1, cheers mate!

[cigcars]

Well - another new bit of info I hadn't heard before. In my mean ole days I'd always heard of people being advised not to bite the caps off, makes it raggedy you know. This is a first I've heard of folks actually twisting the cap off. It does make more sense than biting if one has no cutter! I've just treated myself to a Palio cutter AND a Cuban Crafters Perfect Cutter, both in gold tone. And it's a new advantage to me for the Cuban Crafters cutter to have that cover on the other side to properly position your regular cap cigars for an ideal amount to come off. For torpedos and pyramides it's the Palio cutter.

[CanuckSARTech]

I just cut and smoke. Never paid too much attention to percentages or methods or sizes or whatnot. It's just a subconscious activity now after this many years, with regards to measuring and checking how much I'm cutting off.

[Colt45]

I just cut and smoke. Never paid too much attention to percentages or methods or sizes or whatnot. It's just a subconscious activity now after this many years, with regards to measuring and checking how much I'm cutting off.

Agreed - I would never suggest how anyone cut their cigar anymore than I'd suggest what they use to / how they ignite. For me personally a punch for anything larger than 35 to 38 ring is out of the question.

But if that's what you like, I'm all for it. I normally try to remove just the cap, no matter what method I use (and I've tried and use many). Some cut past the shoulder, some punch, some v-cut, fingernail cut, some don cloaks under candle light and chant.....

Where's my Zippo....

[brazoseagle]

Well - another new bit of info I hadn't heard before. In my mean ole days I'd always heard of people being advised not to bite the caps off, makes it raggedy you know. This is a first I've heard of folks actually twisting the cap off. It does make more sense than biting if one has no cutter! I've just treated myself to a Palio cutter AND a Cuban Crafters Perfect Cutter, both in gold tone. And it's a new advantage to me for the Cuban Crafters cutter to have that cover on the other side to properly position your regular cap cigars for an ideal amount to come off. For torpedos and pyramides it's the Palio cutter.

I love the Cuban crafters perfect cutter!!! It's awesome!

[CanuckSARTech]

Agreed - I would never suggest how anyone cut their cigar anymore than I'd suggest what they use to / how they ignite....

I'm guilty on that one!!!! LOL. Certain fluids and the like, I find, affect the taste. And to me, not nearly even fractionally as much as the cut usually.

Where's my Zippo....

LOL.

[isa]

Mostly i use the punch, for the torpedo/pyramides, i use the cutter.

[Habanos2000]

ever since the last lighter I bought included a built in punch, that's what I use. Mostly for convenience sake. Before that I used a double guillotine and I've tried friends V cutters. No more worries about cutting too much or not enough and having to try and slice another 1/8" off without ruining the cigar.I can't tell any difference in flavor or heat or tar build up. I really think all those variables depend on the cigar.

[Orion21]

I slowly shave the cap with my Palio. Some do the same operation using cigar scissors, but my cutter works great. I expose 2/3, or more, of the ring gauge of the cigar without touching the first two caps. I enjoy the process of doing this as much as the end results -- it's kind of fun to see how exact I can get it. In all honesty, I think the punch is great, but on cigars not rolled perfectly the draw can be too tight. Also, the only cigars I have had oooooooze tar were punched. Possibly too much concentration of smoke, tar etc to a smaller than necessary opening? Anyway, like with anything if you enjoy it do it, cut, shave, scratch or punch...whatever works best for you.

[Eltoasto]

I love the Cuban crafters perfect cutter!!! It's awesome!

All of this, although I've found it perfect for all my cigars, except torpedoes where one cut is not enough and two cuts too much. For torpedos I use a nameless Guilliotene which gets the job done. Come to think of it, I really don't know why I even buy torpedos since I'm not a fan of the small concentrated openings.

[mk05]

Torpedo/piramides are my favorite. Something about it just screams, "CELEBRATION."

Also changes the smoke.