Cutting the Cigar

Before you light up a cigar, it is necessary to open the end. There are several schools of thought on how to do this. Choices range from guillotine cutters to tearing the end off with the teeth. What is absolutely necessary is that the cut or opening be large enough for the cigar to draw properly. It should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the cigar and have neat edges. When there is a cap, the cut should not go below the shoulder, which is where the cap extends into the barrel or body of the cigar.

You do not want to fray the cigar leaf, or you will have bits of tobacco in your mouth throughout the smoke. Also, carelessly opened ends have a drop of concentrated tar at the opening. The tip of the tongue will come in contact with them, and they will burn the tongue and throat when they mix with your saliva.

Cutting Methods

Guillotine: The guillotine is the most popular method. This cutter tool has a straight blade or blades that push through the cap of the cigar and slice it off. The cut should be above the shoulder to prevent the cigar from unraveling while smoking.
The guillotine cut provides the widest opening, and it is easy to draw. However, there are drawbacks, as described above, when you cut below the shoulder.
V-Cut (wedge cut, notch cut, or crescent cut): This completed cut looks like a V section has been removed from the head of the cigar. The point of the V is the forward end of the blade, and the legs are cutting edges. Much of the head is left intact, and the crescent-shaped trough is apparent at the head of the cigar. This cutter does not work as well on pointed or tapered heads.

Because of the structure of the V-cutter, there is little margin for error, and a lot of the cap is left in place. The hole is small and could affect the draw and taste of the cigar.
Piercing/Drilling/Lance: This is a method in which a small object such as a paper clip, lance, or drill is inserted into the head of the cigar, creating a hole to draw the smoke through.
With this method, the cap is left intact, and you can punch as many holes as you need to obtain the draw you want. However, these small holes sometimes constrict the smoke and can cause a hot, bitter smoke. Smaller holes can also make the cigar harder to draw.
Plucking/Bulls Eye/Coring: This process is done by inserting a circular blade into the head of the cigar. When you twist and remove the blade, a small plug comes out of the head of the cigar. These blades come in different diameters.
With this method, there is little damage to the head of the cigar. The cutter is small and compact, and the hole is usually neat and relatively large. You should use a cutter suitable for the size of the cigar.
Knife: A small knife can be used to carve a small notch or v in the head. The advantage of using a knife is that you have one less tool to carry in your pocket.
Scissor Cutter: Two blades cut through the head of the cigar. The cut can be made any size. The drawback to this method is that scissors are bulky to carry, and if in poor condition they can pull off the head of the cigar.
Biting: The greatest advantage of biting is that is hard to lose your cutter. But it does leave you with tobacco in your teeth, so you probably will not be high on the invitation list for dinner parties. Learn to discard the bitten piece discreetly.

Cigar College

Chapters