Cigar Cutters 101

I often reminisce about my first cigar smoking experience. It was in a touristy area in Central Florida. I enter the shop to the classic Cuban song “Guantanamera” playing in the background. To the right was a beautiful walk-in humidor adorned with Spanish Cedar, and to the left a man sitting at a small table wearing a guayabera and rolling handmade cigars. Adjacent to him, a tip jar filled to the brim with dollar bills. I was 19 years old and knew nothing about cigars. The gentleman at the shop was very helpful and recommended a mild honey flavored cigar. As he was ringing me up at the counter, the dreaded question was asked.

“Which cut would you like?”.

“I’m not quite sure, does it matter?”, I replied.

“Of course it does!”, he exclaimed. “This is first step of the cigar-smoking process and if you don’t choose the proper cut, it’ll be ruined!”.

A smile and a wink let me know that he was joking and after giving me a 30 second crash course on the different types of cuts, I opted for the straight cut. He toasted the foot of my cigar, lit me up, and I was off to a tobacco, honey-infused land of flavor. Whether you’re a first-time smoker, a seasoned veteran, or somewhere in the middle, you’ll be faced with the decision of choosing a cut and it does matter which one you choose. My goal here is to provide clarity by exploring different types of cigar cutters and explaining the importance of a proper cut to optimize your smoking experience.

Why Do We Cut Cigars?

Before we explore the different types of cutters, we’ll need to talk about why we cut cigars in the first place. Other than the foot of the cigar (the part you light), everything is completely enclosed. The part that goes in your mouth, known as the “head”, has a cap glued to it. The goal is to nip the tip of the cap without taking the whole thing off as this can cause the cigar to unravel while you’re smoking and lead to an unpleasant experience. It’s important to note that the size, shape, and area of the cut can affect the draw and overall flavor of the cigar. This is why different cutters exist and I’ll cover the main ones in this article. Let’s dive in!  

Straight Cutters

Today we’re putting the best first, at least in my opinion. I go with a straight cut most of the time because it has many advantages. They fit most ring gauges, and they create a larger opening. The result is a rich, even draw full of flavor. There are two main types, a single-blade, and a double-blade. I always use a double blade because two blades are better than one. In all seriousness, the goal here is to get a nice clean cut and the double blade ensures that.

There is a risk of your cigar unraveling when using a straight cutter because if you don’t make a precise cut, you can take the entire cap off. If you’re a beginner, I recommend using one with a back stop. This is a simple feature that prevents you from making too deep of a cut. Think of it as a little wall on the back of the cutter.

V-Cut

The v-cutter is one of the most popular styles and it does precisely what the name implies. It cuts a “v” shaped ridge in the head of the cigar. It was originally designed for maximum airflow and to enhance the smoking experience. They are known to create more intense flavor because the smoke is directed out of a smaller area. This can be either a good or a bad thing depending on the smoker. Some prefer less concentration and intensity in their draw while others enjoy more. At any rate, they will get the job done and are also a good option for beginners because it’s nearly impossible to make too deep of a cut when using this style of cutter.

The Punch

Next on the list is the punch. It is a small circular blade that is designed to punch a perfect hole in the head of the cigar. They’re very common, in fact they are so common, that you’re unaware of the fact that you probably own one. That’s because most cigar torches have a retractable one built in the bottom. A great feature to have when you forget your cutter at home. If I were to use the analogy above of the v-cutter being a more concentrated stream of intense flavor, the punch would be a laser of flavor. With such a small opening, this style of cutter gives the cigar smoker a tighter and more concentrated draw for those that are all about intensity. One of the advantages of the punch is its portability. I’ll admit, the punch isn’t my first choice, but I always keep one on my key ring and it proves itself handy from time to time.

The Scissor Cutter

Choose your own adventure! The scissor cutter allows you to customize your cut anyway you’d like. While the blades on these cutters look like your classic double guillotine straight cutter, they also give you the versatility to make a v-cut, a slice, or maybe even a zigzag if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s up to you! These cutters are good to have if you have an odd-shaped cigar, larger ring gauge, or if you want more customization on the cut you make. The main advantage of this tool is its ability to make precision cuts and for that reason, I recommend them for experienced cigar smokers who are particular about the type of cut they want.

How to Choose the Right Cutter

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right cigar cutter. Cigar size, experience level, and personal preference are among the top factors. If you smoke a wide range of sizes, it might be best to go with a straight cutter. If you’re just beginning your cigar smoking journey, you may want to use a v-cut to avoid over-cutting and damaging your cigars. Maybe you prefer a more concentrated stream of flavor in which case you should go with a punch.

Final Thoughts

The types of cutters we discussed today are the main types you’ll find in most cigar shops and lounges. They include the straight cut, v-cut, punch, and scissor cut. All of them share the same function and purpose; to get you on the road to enjoying a cigar. I recommend trying all the different styles of cuts on your favorite cigar and then go with the one you enjoy the most.

I prefer a straight cut because the larger opening allows more smoke to exit the head upon the draw. This allows me to not only take in the flavor but also enjoy the fullness of the cigar’s aroma. That’s my personal preference. Yours might be different. Choosing a cut is an important question to consider but there is no wrong answer. At the end of the day, your personal preference is really what it comes down to. I hope that this information helps those of you who were once in the same position as me, unsure about which one to choose.