A brief overview of cigar cutters and choosing the right one for you.
The cigar has enjoyed an immense resurgence in popularity in the last decade along with the accoutrements associated with this product. Aficionados everywhere are sporting the tools of the trade, and in this article we will discuss the cigar cutter.
Cigar shops across the country offer several different types of cigar cutter. The most commonly used is the "˜guillotine' cutter, which is has a hole on both ends for your fingers and one cigar-sized hole in the center for trimming the cigar. Placing your thumb in one hole and your index or middle finger in the other, you simply squeeze, bringing the blade down and through the end of the cigar. Viola! You will have a nice, cleanly trimmed cigar head.
We should touch on the concept of cutting to better understand its purpose. Premium, hand-rolled cigars - the most popular among today's aficionados - have a "˜cap' placed on the end of the cigar which completely covers the "˜head' of the cigar, or the end you will smoke from. If it is not pierced, there is no way to draw air through, therefore making it impossible to smoke. Place the cutter about midway up the cap and make a smooth, even cut.
Now we can move back to the realm of cutters. As mentioned, guillotine cutters are the most popular, but they are not the only cigar-cutting tools available. Next in use and popularity is the cigar "˜punch' cutter. It is a small metal device, often attached to a key ring. You simply place it on the center of the head of the cigar and push inward. The cutter punches a small hole into the end from which you will draw on the cigar. To expel the "˜plug' that has been removed from the cigar, replace the punch cover, which pushes the plug out for disposal. The punch cutters come in different finishes to match the tastes of the respective cigar smokers.
Similar to the punch cutter is the "˜bullet' cutter, which operates on the same premise. Simply place the cutter in the center of the head and press inward to create a hole to draw through. Replacing the cap will expel the plug, just as it does with a punch cutter.
Scissor cutters are less frequently used and require a bit more expertise to ensure a quality cut. They appear in the form of scissors but their blades are shaped in an arc to admit the end of a cigar, preventing it from rolling as you complete the trimming of the cap. Their size also makes them less convenient to carry and most prefer the smaller guillotine, punch and bullet cutters.
V cutters are a compact and efficient way to trim the end of a cigar. Two blades, operated when squeezed together, cross each other through a hole in which the end of a cigar is inserted. The cutters neatly cleave the cigar cap, and the cigar is ready for lighting.
Cigar cutters of all types work best when their blades are clean and sharp. A dull cigar cuter will crush the cigar cap before making an uneven, ragged cut.
Regardless of what cutter you choose, a well maintained, sharp cutter is an excellent way to prepare for an enjoyable, relaxing cigar experience.
