Which cutter?

[craig]

Yeah, I picked up a silver one from Heartfelt during Viper's pre-Christmas cutter discount and had to take a file to it to clean up the sharp edges, just like my black one. Now I have a silver cutter with a couple black splotches where I didn't have the file perfectly perpendicular (My excuse is it has been over 25 years since I made dies and worked with files). The paint doesn't cover the tracks (for lack of a better word) of the Palio, so it looks kinda funny in silver when it is open. The CF would be neat, but I'd want to see one in-person first.

The key with teeth (and fingernails) is to wet the cap first and nibble a punch-sized hole. A cutter is faster for me.

[mrtr33]

I use a pocketknife. I have the time, and gave away my double-guillotine over Christmas. It's like a punch. Sort of. It takes a little time, but given how little I smoke, it's not that bad.

[Galvanicfish]

I use a pocketknife. I have the time, and gave away my double-guillotine over Christmas. It's like a punch. Sort of. It takes a little time, but given how little I smoke, it's not that bad.

I'd be interested in a bit more details of the mechanics of that, as I tend to lose my cutters with some regularity.

[bigwhiteash]

I'd be interested in a bit more details of the mechanics of that, as I tend to lose my cutters with some regularity.

That is exactly why I dropped some coin on Xikar and Palio... I tend to keep my eye on them better than I did the $3.00 cutters!

[FactoredReality]

I can never keep my hands on the cheapo cutters either. Lately I have been defaulting to my gerber to get the job done. Anyone ever wash their cutter / lighter?

[mrtr33]

I'd be interested in a bit more details of the mechanics of that, as I tend to lose my cutters with some regularity.

I'll take some pictures the next time I smoke a cigar, as that will be much better than anything I can write below.
First, a reason why: when I used to live in Oregon, the B&M there had a punch that was really big. It had a larger circumference than the normal, run-of-the-mill punch. They didn't sell them (it was the personal one of the guy behind the desk), and couldn't/wouldn't order them! Not always having the convenience of always stopping by the B&M every time I want to smoke a cigar, I improvised. Also, there are some cigars that I have a hard time cutting the cap with a cutter. I'm thinking Padrons, which have very flat heads, and I just know I'm going to screw it up. I should also note that I think this will only work with non-torpedoed heads. It might work, I've just never tried it. Now that I think about it, I suppose you could just cut off the part of the head. Also, make sure your knife is very sharp. Very sharp.

I always wet the end a bit with a little of my saliva. This helps prevent the possibility of cracking the cap. Then I simply, and very carefully, stab the head of the cigar in a form of the circular shape. I can make the hole as big as I want to. Sometimes I'll start by making it smaller, then make it bigger as needed (if the unlit puff is too strong). Keep in mind, I don't smoke that often, and have the time to give to this project.

If I'm doing something wrong, or there is something I'm not considering, please point it out and let me know!

[craig]

Seems right to me. It is just a question of time and convenience.

For Padron (and Cubans), the Palio is the only guillotine that I can reliably make a punch-sized hole with, and/or just cut the cap without cutting the binder/filler. However, I've never used one of those $250 Davidoff double guillotines.

A knife does work fine on a torpedo. Did that two nights ago, and ditto on the gotta-be-sharp part (and using a rocking motion, and not bearing down and letting the tool doing the work, and all that other stuff on how-to-use-a-knife that I learned at Scouts decades ago). A cutter is just faster.

Re: Washing a cutter. Rubbing alcohol (or whatever) to remove any oil buildup, and then wash it just like any kitchen knife, i.e., throw the cutter (open) into the dishwasher. Dry lube with graphite after.

I wouldn't run the lighter through the dishwasher, but brake cleaner works well for the jets.

[mrtr33]

A knife does work fine on a torpedo. Did that two nights ago, and ditto on the gotta-be-sharp part (and using a rocking motion, and not bearing down and letting the tool doing the work, and all that other stuff on how-to-use-a-knife that I learned at Scouts decades ago). A cutter is just faster.

Just wanted to update...........

Tried it out the other night on an El Rico Habana torpedo. And you're right - the "rocking motion" is the way to go, rather than attempting to cut through. I, however, ended up cutting around the head, slicing the cap completely off. Worked like a charm.

Thanks for the inspiration.

[MarkD60]

I'm a big fan of the scissors type cutters. I have a double blade guillotine that I carry in my pocket.