What's your cut?

[Habana Mike]

Agree, disagree? Discuss.....

[westg]

A quick cut ...to scalp the cap ....if I see any of the Perth boys place their cutter on the table and put there cigar in it to cut it I give them a slap then a hug there is no need to murder your cigar ... on the boat I usually just pick the end off mine...

[saintsmokealot]

Just like reading.... Start left to right.

[LordAnubis]

Note to self, at the next herf cut cigar on table... i want a hug from westy

I've been recently cutting cigars on angles don't know if it's any better or not but i'm trying it out anyway.

[JohnS]

Agreed, don't cut past the cap as it risks tearing the wrapper. The image below is a snapshot from the FriendsofHabanos Ramon Allones Gigantes Video Review from July 2015 here

You can see how the line around the cap is intact, as it should be.

Personally, I don't use a straight cut unless it's on a small-gauge cigar 38/64ths of an inch or less. Otherwise, I prefer a V-cut or punch cut. For me doing so brings minimal risk for tearing the wrapper, but I use these cuts due to personal preference, I'm not adverse to using a straight cut from time-to-time.

[Duxnutz]

The cigar shop I used to frequent in LA used to V cut all their cigars (the chick cut it for you as a courtesy - and who am I to turn down courtesy?) but I predominantly straight cut at home.

Punch seems to develop tar or hurt your tongue in my experience.

[JohnS]

The cigar shop I used to frequent in LA used to V cut all their cigars (the chick cut it for you as a courtesy - and who am I to turn down courtesy?) but I predominantly straight cut at home.

Punch seems to develop tar or hurt your tongue in my experience.

Yes, there's no doubt about that. You need to mind your draw a little more to prevent tar build-up, when choosing these cuts, certainly.

[potpest]

I personally think the perfect cut lies between those two pictures above. Usually clip just above the bottom cap these days.

[Jeremy Festa]

Tried thumbing the frack out of the top like Rob and Smithy, more than a couple times now.

Otherwise I trim it between the second and third cap.

Sent from my iPhone

[jat]

converted to the punch, different diameters for different cigars. never have to worry about how far to cut down.

even works when pissed, which I think is the supreme test of any activity.

[Drguano]

Just got a V cutter and I find it is replacing the punch as my preferred cut. Hardly ever do a straight cut.

[Smooth]

Cuban cut with thumb 90% of the time...

[Colt45]

Pretty much always straight cut, but I really just try to remove only the actual cap, leaving the shoulder intact. I often will just score the cap with the cutter, then pinch off the cap with my fingers - this also helps more easily identify whether there is a divot or not.

On a side note, I rarely have cigars with heads as round as the pics.

[Turbo56]

I cut my exactly in half then smoke the second from the foot. Usually toss the first half straight into the trash.

[eswary]

Thin to win, unless there is a draw issue. Then I will attempt to cut a sliver more to see if the draw is better.

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[Habanos2000]

I punch mine, except pyramids which get an angled straight cut. The punch is primarily out of convenience as my lighter has one built in at the bottom. Just one less piece of "equipment" to carry around.

[vitruvius]

Punch cut every time except on figurados. Then I cut as close to the tip as feasible/practical.

[jdo2110]

Punch almost always. As I smoke the cigar down, I'll peel the rest of the cap off as it moistens. Helps against the bitter tar build up.

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[Fugu]

Always straight or occasional ‘cuban’ (partic. on Laguito-formats) cutter here. Prefer a generally wider cut than shown in the left picture, helps for a more even ventilation and burn from my experience (don’t count me in the draw-control-by-cut group – a loose draw remains a loose draw, no matter where you cut the head).

But as Colt alluded to, the picture is not very representative of the typical cuban, with the modern parejos coming rather flat-headed (apart from exceptions like the Laguitos, 109s and some specials).

[Elvis]

"Always straight or occasional ‘cuban’ (partic. on Laguito-formats) cutter here"

Just curious, what is a "cuban" cut? Is it just for long skinnies with a pigtail?

Thanks!

[wabashcr]

I definitely aim for the left pic. Although the roundness in that pic makes it look like more is actually taken off than I usually do. I try to just get the wrapper part of the cap, and not cut any of the filler if possible. If the cold draw is tight, I will go a little deeper. I find the less I clip off, the better chance of keeping the rest of the cap intact, and less chance of the wrapper unraveling. Few things annoy me more than fighting with a torn cap or wrapper that wants to unwind.

[smokeyjoe01]

Recently been using V cut on Piramides, it works for me. I just got a 3 size punch that I use which is fantastic, just removes the cap leaving the filler intact & allows the larger gauge smokes a bigger aperture. I have a straight cutter that is closed backed so the cigar only goes in about 1mm (1/8th of an inch). That is ideal on most cigars it's between the 1st & 2nd cap line.

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[dangolf18]

Above the second cap for me.

[MrGTO]

I use my nail to pull the top cap off or my pocket knife to cut the very top off the cap. I rarely ever use my cutter anymore.

[SCgarman]

Left pic is how I do it. You just want enough off the expose the filler tobacco. I use a Zino Davidoff double edge guillotine cutter, have been using it for the last 20 years and still works perfect.