How to Cut a Cigar

Cigar How To, Featured

Properly cutting a cigar is crucial to the enjoyment of your smoking experience. The head (the end of the cigar that you put in your mouth) needs to be opened to allow proper air to flow through the cigar. There are many ways to achieve a cut, but there are really only three that are still popular and effective.

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They are as follows:

The Guillotine Cutter

This is by far the most popular way to cut a cigar. Guillotine cutters are easy to use, easy to carry, and very economical. A guillotine cutter can be purchased for as little as $1 or less (or much more depending on the style and brand). There are single and double bladed guillotine cutters. Both are effective, but for both styles the blades need to be very sharp. The idea is to cut the cigar, not to squeeze or pinch it. To use a guillotine cutter, simply place the head of the cigar in the cutters hole or slot and squeeze. The proper place to cut is where the rounded cap meets the sides of the cigar. This will allow for the proper amount of draw without sacrificing too much of the cigar.

A Cigar Punch

Cigar punch tools are also easy to use, easy to carry, and very economical. They do not “cut” the cigar, instead, they punch a hole in the end of the head of the cigar. It creates a hole large enough to allow sufficient draw, and still keep the head of the cigar mostly intact. To use a cigar punch, simply line up the tool with the center of the cigar head, push and twist into the head, and you are done. You have created a perfect hole to draw from.

Cigar Scissors

Cigar scissors are also easy to use, but not as popular as the guillotine cutter or the cigar punch tool. They are not as easy to carry (due to their larger size) and not as economical. Cigar scissors work essentially the same as a double bladed guillotine cutter. Simply place the head of the cigar into the opening of the scissor blades, and operate like any other pair of scissors. Again, the blades need to be very sharp to properly cut the cigar. Like the guillotine cutter, the proper place to cut is where the rounded cap meets the sides of the cigar.

These are the most popular ways to cut a cigar. Feel free to try all of them out and decide which one is best for you. Choosing the best cutting method will further enhance your smoking experience, and get the most out of every cigar.