so my chick and I tried this twice this weekend, we both lit the same cigars at the same time using each method and I have to say I think it does in fact make a difference. I kind of have my doubts about the cutting aspect since you are purging before your first puff but as someone who rarely uses a soft flame I think that definitely makes a big difference in the cigar starting out burning cooler. We smoked PCR's and quesada seleccion espana corona's, two cigars we are both very familiar with and I think they both started out much smoother and richer than toasting and lighting with a torch.