Cigar Cutters

So many choices, so many cigar cutters, where to start... let's see if we can help. There are 3 main types of cigar cutter Straight or 'Guillotine' (which includes cigar scissors) which as the name suggests make a straight cut across the cigar cap. V cutters which put a v profiled cut across the cigar cap and finally punch cutters which punch a hole through the cigar cap, below is a little more on each.

The most common cigar cutters in use remain straight or 'guillotine' cutters. They have 2 main advantages: 1) they are often the thinnest of all cutters which tends to make them a little lighter and  less bulky in the pocket than some others. Their other main advantage is that you will get a great cut on any vitola (every cigar has a factory name for it which is unique to it's shape), whether it is a Parajos (straight sided cigar i.e. a Churchill) or Figurado (a shaped cigar i.e. Torpedo). Most cigars I cut will be cut with a straight cutter and my current go to is a red Xikar XO which is the best straight cutter I have used. Once you know how to cut a cigar properly with a straight cutter there are frankly no real downsides to it.

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The most popular cutters currently are V cutters which have seen a resurgence in popularity in the last few years. As the name suggests they cut a v shaped hole across the cigar cap. They will cut Parajos really well and many think they really open up the airflow of a cigar due to the depth of cut often achieved. Some people do cut figurados with them, particularly Torpedos, personally I see little point in this as the cut is necessarily smaller so you don't get the benefit of increased air flow. My advice - Parajos feel free to ship with a v cutter, Figurados keep it straight for best results.

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Last but by no means least is the punch cutter, these cutters punch a hole straight through the end cap of the cigar. Many people like punch cutters as they think the small aperture (relative to straight and v cuts) concentrates the smoke on to the tongue and draws out more flavour profile of the cigars. They are often small in size but relatively weighty and many come on a key ring attachment which makes them really handy! The only downside with a punch is that it doesn't open up the airflow in the same way a straight or v cut can, luckily the construction and draw of new world cigars in 99% exceptional so it won't cause problems. With Cuban cigars where the construction and draw is frequently poor it will compound the problem. After the straight cut I use a punch the most frequently - particularly because I travel so much - more of that below!

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If you fly frequently read the below - it will save you money, tears and rage!

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Cigar accessories have become more and more problematic for those of us who fly. Your cigar cutter has sharp blades and your cigar lighter they seem to think is capable of downing the plane. The below is based on my own flying experiences all over the world and legislation... the 2 don't always match!

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Cigar cutters have become an increasing problem if you are only flying with hand luggage. They are a sharp bladed object that falls in to a grey area - that grey area being the airport security staffs own judgement / mood. I have personally had a couple of straight cigar cutters confiscated by airport security despite my argument that the worst it can do is cut a little finger off. I also came very close to losing a Xikar VX2 cutter to airport security, again because they viewed it as a sharp bladed object. The one type of cigar cutter that the swines have never managed to have off me or really questioned me about is a punch cigar cutter. Whenever I fly with hand luggage only I take only a punch cutter, it just saves time and grief. If you are flying with hold luggage there are no restrictions that can be enforced... If only that were the case with cigar lighters...

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Cigar lighters and flying are now almost a no go, or at the very least have a very high risk of confiscation of your pride and joy! I and many people have had jet flame cigar lighters confiscated - and no, not just from hand luggage, from hold luggage as well. We can blame our American friends for this! The US TSA have now banned the carrying of any jet flame lighter in hand or hold luggage... although this is still not (as far as I can find) policy in the EU, the number of confiscations suggests that we have adopted a similar position. I now never carry a jet flame on board in hand luggage. On my trips to the US and Dominican Republic last year I did carry a jet flame in hold luggage (before I fully understood the rules of course!) and didn't have a problem with confiscation, but it does happen. Soft flame lighters and the new Xikar Xflame are still permissable in hand luggage or hold luggage.