Other than a torpedo and pyramid how do you prepare your cigar to smoke do you punch thru or do you cut the cap off, I've noticed when I punch hole the cigar it can make it hard on the draw and I'll  usually fix this problem by cutting the cap and it allows the cigar to breath better.....does anybody have a favorite over the two techniques...

I almost always cut with a double bladed guillotine. I carry a punch on my keychain in case of emergency but may have used it twice. I find I tear it up more often trying to use a punch.

I'm a guillotine guy, too, for the same reasons you guys have already mentioned. I've never tried a v-cutter, though.

---

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

I like my double guillotine, but I've been giving my new punch cutter a shot recently. I'm not terribly impressed with the punch, but its ok... no comparison in my opinion to the Xikar, but it works.

---

"Beliefs are neat. Cherish them, but don't share them like they're the truth" Bill Hicks

i punch almost every cigar. i have a larger punch so the draw is still good most of the time. I only use the guillotine on torps or very small cigars.

---

Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

Kuzi, I used to punch everything also. But the past few months I cut everything. Seems I get a better draw and it dont spit back at me. With a punch I found it getting bitter sometimes.

By the way the putter died last week. I couldn't get your addy. I have it now be on the look out for some stogies.

 

Hue

I use both. A punch cut is nice sometimes because a smaller hole (I have a 7mm punch on my lighter) is easier to direct the smoke with and also a no-brainer when it comes to getting an even cut. With a double guillotine you can make cuts like that one picture of the nub with the head of the cigar cut almost all the way off, which gets an easy-breezy draw, but if I'm not careful means I get the cigar smoking hot really easily. Also, it's easier to goof and get a lop-sided cut, which seems to make keeping an even burn harder.

---

In this kind of town, say you kick someone in the head. They'll just, well, they'll likely sue you... but mad? No, they don't get mad.

~ Gogol Bordello "Punk Rock Parranda"

pbburner:

By the way the putter died last week. I couldn't get your addy. I have it now be on the look out for some stogies.

 

Hue

seriously? for what?

---

Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

gott.des.feuer:

I use both. A punch cut is nice sometimes because a smaller hole (I have a 7mm punch on my lighter) is easier to direct the smoke with and also a no-brainer when it comes to getting an even cut. With a double guillotine you can make cuts like that one picture of the nub with the head of the cigar cut almost all the way off, which gets an easy-breezy draw, but if I'm not careful means I get the cigar smoking hot really easily. Also, it's easier to goof and get a lop-sided cut, which seems to make keeping an even burn harder.

I agree with the benefits/drawbacks of the two that you mentioned. I'm always really careful when I clip with the guillotine after I cut too much of the head once and watched as the entire wrapper unraveled before my eyes.... what a bummer day that was. My vote is still out on the punch cutter, as I've only used it twice, so I'll have to do some closer comparisons between the two.

---

"Beliefs are neat. Cherish them, but don't share them like they're the truth" Bill Hicks

No v-cutters in the house?

---

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

v-cutters, in my opinion, are not good. they produce a very difficult smoke for the cigar itself to handle. i think that v-cuts are the most likely to harm the cigar and make it unravel... even if it is cut correctly.

---

Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

I actually like the v-cutter, my issue is I can't find one that is quality. When I use one I cut two v's in an x shape and I think it is the perfect cut for most cigars. The issue is when you have a poor quality or dull v cutter then kuzi is correct it is the most likely to tear a cigar up. So I've just started to leave them alone, sadly.

madurofan:

I actually like the v-cutter, my issue is I can't find one that is quality. When I use one I cut two v's in an x shape and I think it is the perfect cut for most cigars. The issue is when you have a poor quality or dull v cutter then kuzi is correct it is the most likely to tear a cigar up. So I've just started to leave them alone, sadly.

and to get a good quality one you pay alot of money. ...its a money to payout ratio.

---

Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

Exactly and even the quality ones get dull and are expensive to sharpen. AND you won't know its dull until it tears up a stick!

they look cool if they are a table top version though.

---

Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate