What's new

Cigar cutting

Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Joined
Feb 1, 2007
Messages
457
Location
Parkersburg, West Virginia
Just exactly what is your rule of thumb for cutting. I have heard up to but no more than 1/4 of an inch. I try to stay about 1/8 inch but was just wondering what you BOTL'ers had to say. Also what do you use for the cutting?
 

djs134

BoM May '06
Rating - 100%
66   0   1
Joined
Nov 27, 2005
Messages
2,134
Location
State College, PA
When cutting a Parejo, I try to cut just at the shoulder (or at least cut at 1/2 of the cap). Been using my Xikar lately, but also really like the Palio.
 
Rating - 100%
206   0   0
Joined
Dec 12, 2004
Messages
6,454
Location
Idaho
I've been using my Palio cutter of late. Place it on a flat surface and open the blades ... put head of cigar perpendicular into opening ... close blades. I find this gives a perfect cut, removing about 1/8" off the cap.

IMO, 1/4" is too much - unless you are cutting torpedoes or belicosos.
 
Rating - 100%
11   0   0
Joined
Feb 16, 2007
Messages
412
Location
Rockville, MD
i just make sure i don't cut off all of the cap, you just want to leave some of the cap on to hold on to the wrapper so it doesn't unravel. other than that i think the amount depends on the cigar.
 

Wasch_24

2005 BoY
Rating - 100%
196   0   0
Joined
Dec 12, 2004
Messages
21,508
Location
Springfield, VA
Torpedos I cut so that the opening is just about a 40 ring guage.

Everything else I cut right at the shoulder...removing the cirular cap but leaving the wrap below it so as to hold the wrapper together.
 
Rating - 100%
234   0   0
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
9,446
Location
Mid-Atlantic
I've been using my Palio cutter of late. Place it on a flat surface and open the blades ... put head of cigar perpendicular into opening ... close blades. I find this gives a perfect cut, removing about 1/8" off the cap.

IMO, 1/4" is too much - unless you are cutting torpedoes or belicosos.


Exactly what I do as well when using the Palio. When using a Xikar I cut where the shoulder starts to make the turn. The idea is to keep the cap partially intact so the wrapper does not unravel.
 

Poni

BoM Oct 05
Rating - 100%
55   0   0
Joined
Dec 21, 2004
Messages
3,436
Location
NYC
The idea is to keep the shape of the cap, so it still slightly curves, and not to cut it straight off. other than that there is no exact science.
 

vperlman

Harleyrider
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Messages
1,204
Location
Phila. PA
I cut off the bare minimum needed to get the draw that I like. I always leave at least part of the shoulder intact.
 

jwintosh

BoM June 07
Rating - 100%
358   0   0
Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Messages
17,272
Location
San Diego
bite it off, chew it up, spit it out! then i got a cutter!! always seem to forget it at home, therefore, bite it off, chew it up, spit it out! okay, maybe not the 'chew it up' part....

jeff
 

cvm4

BoM - July '05 & Dec. '10
Rating - 100%
197   0   0
Joined
Dec 13, 2004
Messages
22,035
Location
Jackson, MS
I cut as little as possible, draw test and if it's not right then I cut a little more off, etc.

For Belicosos/#2's, I cut them at a 45 degree angle.
 
Rating - 100%
20   0   0
Joined
Oct 22, 2005
Messages
1,119
Location
Gainesville, FL
I cut enough off so that it doesn't get bitter due to tar buildup (worse with torpedoes), and not so much that I get little pieces of tobacco in my mouth. This depends on the individual cigar in my opinion.
 
Rating - 100%
72   0   0
Joined
Jan 1, 2007
Messages
2,491
Location
Salem, VA
I've been using my Palio cutter of late. Place it on a flat surface and open the blades ... put head of cigar perpendicular into opening ... close blades. I find this gives a perfect cut, removing about 1/8" off the cap.

IMO, 1/4" is too much - unless you are cutting torpedoes or belicosos.

Ha ha ha he said "perpendicular"...

bet you had to use spellchecker on that! :rolling:
 

architeuthis

I see what you're doing!!
Rating - 100%
16   0   0
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
784
Location
Houston, Texas
I very seldom cut my cigars at all; I usually use a punch. When I do cut, I use a pair of cigar scissors, and clip the smallest possible slice. like you'd slice a clove of garlic.
 
Top