What are the basics of Cigar Cutting?
To cut a cigar properly you need to know cigar anatomy. Understand the different types of cigars, as each are cut differently. Furthermore, there are many types of cutters available so you need to know how to use what is available.
You just started your new hobby of cigar smoking or maybe you are going on a guys trip and know that you will be smoking cigars. Understanding the basics of cigar cutting will have you looking like a champ with your friends.
Furthermore, if you just started your cigar smoking hobby, then this article could possibly save some of your cigars from ruin. if you do not properly cut the cigar to prepare it for smoking, then the cigar could unravel or smoke poorly.
Cigar Anatomy
There are three basic areas to a cigar to understand before you cut the cigar. The end of the cigar that goes into your mouth typically will have a cap. The other end of the cigar that you light is called the foot. The area between the cop in the foot is the body of the cigar.
Cigar Cutting Techniques - The Cap
The Cap is a piece of Tobacco that is placed over the back end of the cigar and is adhered to the cigar with a vegetable based adhesive. The area where the cap Meets the body of the cigar is called the shoulder. You do not want to cut beyond the shoulder or the cigar could unravel while smoking.
Some can flip the cap off with their fingernail but you run the risk of the tobacco unraveling. I would not recommend this technique in front of a group of people unless you can do it with skill.
Cigar Cutting Techniques - The Cutters
Now on to the cutters. There are many type of cutters available on the market. They can range from very inexpensive like 5 bucks to over $100. Furthermore, the cutters can be a single blade or a double blade. As if that were not enough there are scissors that can cut the cigar. These are not the scissors in your drawer. More elaborate cutters are the table top cutters. The table top cutters will give you many different styles of cuts for your cigar. You can find an example of one here. Also, they give you many different styles of cuts for your cigar.
Single Guillotine Cutters
Single Guillotine. This cutter is the single blade cutter. The outside shell can be made of metal or plastic. I haven’t seen any wooden single blade cutters but I am sure someone has made them somewhere. There are a lot of woodworkers out there that can make a lot of great things. You can see some examples and images here.
Place the cap of the cigar in the cutter to the point where the blade will cut the cigar above the shoulder and below the cap, like in the picture below. Make a swift close of the guillotine and that will cut the cigar perfectly.
Double Guillotine Cutters
Double Guillotine – These are amazing to me because I believe they make a great cut on the cigar. I believe this because there are two blades that are synchronized to cut at the right spot together. You get a swifter and cleaner cut because there are two blades. If one is dull the other will do the trick. Place the cigar just at the cap and make your cut. As always cut it swiftly and with a purpose. Some great examples of these cutters are here.
V Cutters
V Cutter – I haven’t used this cutter very much but it does make a nice cut. It takes a cut that looks like a V at the end of the cigar. The interesting thing about this cutter is that you cannot go below the cap of the cigar. There is a protective area on the cutter that the cigar rests in the cutter. With a swift move you cut the V out f the end of the cigar and you are ready to smoke. Some examples of these are below. Channel inside the cutter. Put cigar in the channel and one swift motion then there is a V cut. Learn more about these cutters and great images here.
Colibri V Cut
The Punch
Punch – This is the most versatile cutter on the planet for me. There are a ton of punches on the market and they are really inexpensive. However, they can go up in price depending on how they are built. The most interesting thing about this cutter is that there are a lot of combination devices with punches and cigar lighters. This makes it so easy to travel with one device. You have a way to cut the end of the cigar and light it also.
So how do you use this device. It is very easy. Place the punch on the end of the cigar and slowly rotate around the cap of the cigar. Once it pierces the cigar you can withdraw the punch. Your cigar is ready to light, which I will cover on the post over here. Some examples of these great devices are found at this link.
The Tabletop Cutter
The table top cutter is the final one I will cover. There are amazing devices and can be real pretty decorative piece on your desk. This device is made of decorative wood and there are typically three to five cutters. You just rotate the cutter to the one you want and then place the cigar in the hole for the cut. The nice part of this cutter is that you cannot cut below the cap. That way you have a perfect cut with each cut. Once the cigar is in the hole then you just rotate the cutter handle. You can read more about this cutter and see different images here.
Cigar Cutting Techniques - Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few options to cutting the cigar to prepare it to smoke. You can use your fingernail, for which I do not recommend unless you are skilled. The other options are a simple punch that is very versatile. There are also single and double guillotines which are my preferred method. Finally there is a decorative table top piece that works perfectly. However, the table top piece is more of a decorative piece which could be costly.
I hope this helps and don’t forget our other education articles linked below.
Tobacco Plant
Humidify
How To Smoke Your Cigar
Cigar Shapes and Sizes
All the best,
Dr. B