There is a right way to cut a cigar, and it is very much about personal preference. However, the cut itself is necessary to have a smooth smoking experience, and a bad cut can make it challenging to draw smoke through the cigar or cause the cigar to unravel while you consume it. This article will teach you how to cut a cigar for the best smoking experience.
Before We Begin: Anatomy of a Cigar
To understand how to cut a cigar, you must first understand its basic anatomy. There are six standard components of a premium cigar:
- Filler
- Binder
- Wrapper
- Foot
- Cap
- Shoulder
The filler is the blend of tobaccos that the cigar maker prepares. Each blend has a carefully considered ratio of tobacco that determines the overall taste of the cigar.
The binder tobacco is what holds the filler together. The binder material is typically one whole tobacco leaf or two tobacco leaves. The binder can affect the cigar's burn, flavor, and smoothness, so cigar makers also choose the binder tobacco with significant consideration.
The wrapper leaf is the outer tobacco leaf that encases the whole cigar. Wrapper leaves are available in a large variety and are typically known for their country of origin.
At either end of the cigar are the foot and the cap. The foot is the end that is lit when you consume the cigar. The cap is the head of the cigar, and that is where the cigar must be cut to enjoy it. Rolling the cap is another part of the artistic process of cigar-making.
The shoulder is where the cigar curves as the cap meets the cigar's body. It is essential to know the location of the shoulder because cigars should not be cut below the shoulder.
Types of Cigar Cutters
There are a variety of tools available to cut a cigar. The choice is entirely based on personal preference of the cigar cut and the tool's ease of use.
- Guillotine cutter: The guillotine device is used to make straight cuts. Guillotines are available in a single or double blade. The double blade is more efficient and makes a cleaner cut.
- Cigar scissors: Cigar scissors are not normal scissors, and they have uniquely shaped blades for cutting cigars. Newer models have multiple blades for cutting efficiency.
- Wedge or “V” cutter: Wedge cutters are used to make a wedge or “V” cut on the cigar. The look of the wedge cutter is similar to the guillotine cutter.
- Punch cutter: Punch cutters, also known as hole punches or bullet cutters, make a hole in the cap of the cigar, rather than removing the cap.
- Shuriken cutter: The Shuriken cutter is the latest advancement in cigar cutting. The cutter makes six tiny slits to the cap of the cigar, rather than cutting it off or putting a hole in it.
Regardless of which tool you use, it is important to keep the blades sharpened. A dull cut can pull on the cigar as you are trying to cut it and cause damage that will affect the smoothness of the pull.
The Best Way to Cut a Cigar
No matter which way you choose to cut a cigar, you will be making a very small cut to the cap. A typical cut to a cigar is between 1/8th-1/16th of an inch or 2-4 mm.
Cutting your cigar makes all the difference in both the enjoyability and how long it lasts. I've wasted many a cigar because I didn't understand how important the cut was.
Rob Hatch, Cigaristas.com
Finding the right cut is a personal preference. If the cut is too small, you will find it difficult to draw smoke. If the cut is too deep, you may cut into the wrapper and cause the cigar to unravel while you are smoking it, or you may get too much tobacco in your mouth when smoking it.
Before you begin the cut, you may moisten the cap of the cigar with your mouth. This can sometimes assist with a smoother cut if the tobacco is dry and prone to cracking.
The second step is to locate the cap and the shoulder of the cigar. There is a faint line where the cap meets the body. It is important to cut the correct end of the cigar and to keep the cut above the shoulder.
Guillotine Cutter
If you are going to make a straight cut with a guillotine cutter, you will place the cigar cap into the cutter at the location where you wish to make the cut.
The key to a successful guillotine cut is to be firm, quick, and confident. Second-guessing yourself during the cutting action, or trying to delicately cut can damage the cap and smoothness of the cigar.
Where exactly you make the guillotine cut is based on personal preference, and you may need to experiment with higher or deeper cuts on the cap to see how the cigar smokes with each type of cut.
Wedge Cutter
When using a wedge cutter, you don’t have to worry as much about cutting too deep into the cap. The wedge cutter is only meant to cut a notch into the cap, which leaves a V-shaped shaped opening at the cap of the cigar.
To use a wedge cutter, open the cutter and place the cigar cap into the cutter. Apply firm, consistent pressure, and you will be left with a clean notch in the cap of your cigar.
Cigar Scissors
If you are going to cut the cigar with cigar scissors, you will get the same effect as a guillotine cutter. You are essentially removing as much of the cap as you prefer.
Cigar scissors should be cleaned and sharpened before use. You will locate the spot on the cap that you prefer to make the cut, then, open the scissors and position the blade at a slight angle to the cap. Make a firm, slow cut and come perpendicular to the top of the cigar as you close the scissors.
Punch Cutter
A punch cutter will leave the cap intact but give you a clean hole for drawing. To use a punch cutter, open the punch cutter to reveal the blade and center it on the cap of your cigar. Twist the cutter back and forth, rather than pushing into the cigar, which can damage the cap.
Shiruken Cutter
The Shiruken cutter makes six clean slits on the cap. Cigar lovers enjoy the smooth look and draw of the Shiruken cut. Open the cutter and put your cigar in the center of the cutter. Press the cigar firmly into the cutter until the slits are made. Do not twist or enter the cutter at an angle.
Cigar Cutting FAQ
You’d be surprised at how many nuances there are to learn when figuring out how to cut a cigar. Here are some common questions we get about cigar cutting.
Which end of a cigar do you cut?
You make the cut on the cap end of the cigar. This is the end of the cigar that is wrapped in tobacco leaf.
Do you cut both ends of a cigar?
It is not necessary to cut the foot end of the cigar. This end is usually left open when the cigar-maker is rolling the cigar. Even if the foot end is closed with tobacco leaf, you will only need to cut the cap to smoke the cigar.
How to cut a cigar without a cigar cutter?
Every now and then, you may find yourself with a cigar and without a cutter. You can still use other household tools (and even your teeth) in a pinch.
How to cut a cigar with a knife?
You can use a knife to cut a cigar. First, ensure that the blade is as sharp as possible. Then, place the cigar on the blade of the knife and spin the cigar against the blade to make the cut. You can also use the blade to make an “X” in the cigar cap, similar to the six-slit concept of the Shiruken blades.
How to cut a cigar with scissors?
You can cut a cigar with regular scissors in the same way that you use cigar scissors. The key is to ensure the scissor blades are as sharp as possible.
Make a slow cut, starting at a slight angle to the cap, then coming perpendicular as you close scissors.
If you are not comfortable using regular scissors on the cigar, you can try using a single blade of the scissors to precisely cut the cap or make an “X” in the cap, as you would with a knife.
Can I cut a cigar with my teeth?
What if you get your hands on a cigar and there are no household tools around? You can easily cut a cigar with your teeth. Use your incisor teeth to cut a V shape into the cigar, similar to a wedge cutter.
What is the best cigar cutter?
The best cigar cutter is going to come down to personal preference, but there are a few things to remember when shopping for a cutter.
Because it is important to have a swift, confident cut, look for a cutter that is smooth to operate. It should also be simple to clean the cigar cutter and easy to sharpen the blades. Some cigar cutters have a self-sharpening feature that helps you get the most value out of the cutter over time.
