How to Cut a Cigar

Identify the correct end of the cigar to cut. You need to cut the very tip of one end, which is the part you’ll place in your mouth, known as the head of the cigar. The opposite end is referred to as the foot. The head is recognizable by its cap, a small circular piece of tobacco leaf glued to the end to hold the wrapper together.

• You can also easily identify the head as it’s the end closest to the cigar’s label or band.

Identify the “shoulder” of the cigar. The “shoulder” is the transitional area where the curved cap meets the straight body of the cigar. Just above the shoulder, at the end of the curve, is where you should make your cut.

Hold the cigar cutter between your thumb and index finger, using your dominant hand.

Place the head of the cigar into the cutter, squint one eye, and align the cigar precisely. Aim straight to ensure the cut is made just above the shoulder of the cigar.

• Remember, it’s better to cut too little than too much. If you cut too little, you can always make another cut, but if you cut too deep, you can’t undo it. So, err on the side of caution.

Make a decisive cut with a quick, firm motion using your fingers. Hold the cigar steady with your other hand and avoid letting it move until the cut is complete.

• Precision is key. You want the guillotine cutter to slice cleanly—don’t squeeze the blades slowly.
• Ensure your cutter is sharp. Like a kitchen knife, the sharper your cutter, the better. Unless something goes wrong (which it shouldn’t), you’ll never regret having a sharper tool.

Use a cigar punch tool. A cigar punch is designed to create a hole through the cap of the cigar. There are three main types of cigar punches available:

• Bullet Punch: Ideal for attaching to a keychain, it twists to create a circular hole in the cigar’s cap.
• Havana Punch: Safer than the bullet punch, the Havana punch features a retractable blade that creates a hole in the cap and ejects the cut tobacco after each use.
• Multi-Size Punch: Offers various hole sizes to accommodate different cigar diameters.

If possible, select a punch tool with an appropriate size, then position the cutting tip onto the cigar’s cap.

Once the cutting tip is placed on the cap, twist it to create a hole in the cigar, then retract the tool. The removed tobacco will fall away.

Use a V-shaped cutter to create a unique cut on the cigar. A V-cutter provides a wider draw by cutting deeper into the cigar’s cap. However, it can sometimes create an overly large cut, causing the cigar to burn too hot.

• High-quality V-cutters are often table-mounted and too large to carry. Smaller, portable versions are available for around $4.00.
• A V-cutter typically removes less of the cap, which may not fully expose the filler.

Hold the cigar in one hand and the V-shaped cutter in your dominant hand, with the cutter’s blades fully open.

Place the cigar’s head into the cutter’s slot. Be careful not to insert it too deeply, as this could result in an excessively large cut.

Position the cigar toward the blade and squeeze the cutter’s handles together. Remove any loose tobacco by gently tapping the cigar on an ashtray or blowing lightly on the cut area.

Understand that biting the cap is imprecise and may lead to a less enjoyable smoking experience. While this method is generally discouraged, it can be used in a pinch. However, if you have the option to use a straight cut, punch, or V-cut, always choose those over biting the cap.

Position your teeth like the blades of a double-guillotine cutter.

Gently bite down a few times while rotating the cigar.

After a few bites, the cap will separate and can be removed by hand or with your mouth.

• Always opt for a high-quality cigar cutter to ensure a precise cut—remember, the sharper, the better.

• Cutting too much of the cap can cause the wrapper to unravel, while cutting too little may result in a shorter draw and increased pressure, which can sometimes cause the cigar to fall apart while smoking.
• Ensure you make a clean, decisive cut in one motion; otherwise, the cigar may crumble or become unusable.

• A double-guillotine cutter or a V-cut cutter
• A cigar