There are all kinds of cutters, from scissors to v-notch, guillotine, fancy designs and gimmicks, and plugs. Some cigars call for a certain kind of cutter, and for the standard cigar ends you can pretty much use anything, it's all up to your personal preference. One example of the wrong implementation would be using a plug cutter or a v-notch cutter on a torpedo cigar. When it comes to the cutter itself, quality really does play a role in the long run. Sure, you can bite off the end with your teeth or use a favorite knife blade. But, this isn't just about being fancy since some cigars really are investments to be enjoyed, and there's nothing good about a ripped end coming apart part of the way through your smoke. If you do not cut the cigar properly, you won't attain a perfect draw and the cigar won't burn evenly. Cutters also dull and tend to need servicing over time. There are drawbacks to using a certain cutter with no warranty versus one with full warranty. Are you the type who just buys a new cutter every few months or years, or do you have that certain cutter with a full, no hassle replacement? Anyway, here are some of my personal favorites. The Guillotine. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MAZ9YW/?tag=survivalmonke-20 Cuban Crafter's Perfect cigar cutter. Surgical stainless steel, self sharpening double blades, lifetime guaranteed full replacement, the regular size cuts up to 54 gauge or the large version cuts up to 80 gauge. Quite literally, perfect. From the Cuban Crafter's card sent with every cutter: "This is the last cutter you will ever have to purchase. Should this cutter ever fail to perform as expected, return it with a self-addressed stamped envelope and Cuban Crafters will replace it free of charge. Please send it to: Cuban Crafters 3604 N.W. 7th Street, Miami, Florida 33125 USA - Expect a new one within one week after received. Enjoy!" The V-Notch. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4KPSM8/?tag=survivalmonke-20 Colibri Firebird V-Notch cutter. Stainless steel, 60 gauge capacity, easy to transport in pocket or key chain, limited 1 year warranty. This cutter works, and it's one of the more clean V-notch cutters out there. The Scissors. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074K2WZH4/?tag=survivalmonke-20 Calcutta Metalworks Cigar Scissors. Stainless steel, very sharp. I cannot find a link to these so I linked a good, alternative cutter I haven't tried. I got these from the sampler deal you see in the photo (cigar.com). I believe this deal is running until the 15th of July, 2018. Here's the link if you are interested: The Contemporary Collection - CIGAR.com I do have some plug cutters, but they are not something I prefer due to draw issues. Your mileage may vary. Also, these tend to dull fastest and can sometimes create problems with the integrity of the cigar. Although I do not recommend a plug cutter, you're welcome to try them yourself to find out! For me, it's simple. I like to use the scissors on torpedoes, guillotine for the rest, and the v-notch when on the go or as a backup for any flat ended cigar except the smaller ones. A v-notch cutter will often destroy a small cigar, so use caution. What's your favorite cigar cutting tool?
Explain why they put those damm caps on cigars in the first place... I cut some and there is nothing left to hold it onto the wrapper, it just comes off on my lips, dang I hate that, I know it's tradition, but really does it serve a purpose?
I like to think it has to do with sealing it so the smoker can create the kind of draw they want, but it's really just a manufacturing thing, I believe. When it is rolled, the leaf must be secure and it is glued on the final attach point so it doesn't come unraveled. The cap is the final point where it can help keep the cigar from unraveling near the end. The cap does lend some rigidity to a cigar, especially if it is box pressed. But, with a torpedo, it is rolled to the point and carefully made into the shape we see, so the end is already secure. It's an interesting question, perhaps one of the cigar makers out there could enlighten us further if the question were asked to them.
Guillotine first choice, Second is the plug cutter, Haven't used either one of mine in years, Always used a friends!
Got a couple of free guillotine types, but have used my trusty Swiss Army Classic on my key ring i keep it razor sharp the scissors work OK for cutting a V notch. I have a 1/8th inch surgical probe I adapted for electronic work just push it in works good on small gauge cigars / cigarillos.
Depends on the cigar. When I smoked Marsh Wheeling torpedo's I always had a single edge razor in my wallet as a back-up to my pocket knife to clip the end. Now I carry a plug cutter on one of my pocket lanyards, so it's always there. I have guillotine and V-cutters, but prefer the plug cutter, or just chew on the end until it cracks open enough to draw well.
I prefer to keep cigar cutter simple, but made of quality metal and good blades. Something similar to Mantello Cigars or Zertone Top 10 Best Cigar Cutters [2020 Review] - Smokeprofy. The price is not expensive and the quality suits me.
Not to be a downer......but having grown tobacco in the past, and noting the chemicals used to grow it (Rid-a-mil for example....a fungicide that says not to be used on a field where a food crop will be grown for the next 3 years), I can tell ya'll you really don't ever want to make it a regular practice to draw smoke from the stuff into your body or pack pinches of it in your cheek. Tobacco is not a food crop, and NOT subject to the same restrictions on chemicals as are foods (which are bad enough quite honestly) Those cigars ain't the same stuff US Grant smoked.
Guillotine or scissors are my personal faves. Although, I gotta be honest with you folks. Last time, I had a stogie I actually had to bite the end off like an animal. Not ashamed...but not proud of myself either.
