Which cutter?

[westb182]

I'm looking for a inexpensive cutter.
Catch is I can only order it from one website as out here (as I'm going to order some crystals for the humidor), my choices are limited and I won't be back in the USA for a few months.
Something portable that I can place in my pocket and wont open up and stab me in the leg...

http://www.sklep-tytoniowy.abc24.pl/...k=&nr_str=1&r=

I was looking at this one
http://www.sklep-tytoniowy.abc24.pl/...105&pro=244068

Sorry, the site's in Polish, but the photos are self explanatory.

[craig]

Cutters all look the same in pics to me - hard to tell the quality from a pic, and there are lots of knock-off's.

I'm also wondering if that Xikar is really a Xikar.

BTW, please post an intro!

[bigwhiteash]

Yeah, that "Xikar" is no such thing, Maybe "Obcinarka typu "Xikar"" means "compare to Xikar"?

That will get them into trouble... the main body looks like a direct copy.


Even with cheap cutters, I would recommend a double guillotine.

[westb182]

Obcinarka typu "Xikar" is cigar cutter type Xikar

[prostartjr1738]

My girlfriends uncle had a cutter similar to the one you like. I used it while over their house one day and it destroyed my cigar. Ripped the wrapper like Ive never seen. In general I have never had any luck with single blade. Go with a double blade. They all seem to cut decent, as long as you know how to cut.

[Galvanicfish]

this isn't quite on topic, but have any of you guys tried those tri-blade scissor looking cutters,a nd if so what do you think of them? I've been eying one at the local B&M, but I'm kinda leery of paying 30 bucks for something that would be just as effective as my 5 dollar dual blade one.

[Silencei2]

this isn't quite on topic, but have any of you guys tried those tri-blade scissor looking cutters,a nd if so what do you think of them? I've been eying one at the local B&M, but I'm kinda leery of paying 30 bucks for something that would be just as effective as my 5 dollar dual blade one.

I've been eyeballing those cutters too. I read some good reviews on them and it looks like it would not pinch the cigar like you get with a double/single blade guillotine. Not really practical to bring around with you but it would be a real great conversation piece when you have fellow BOTLs over to smoke.

If you do buy them let me know how they work. Cuban Crafter's sell's there own kind and there is another company that imports them from Japan, presumably the original article. I contacted the company who originally imported them from Japan (saw them in an article in Cigar Aficionado) and he only has a few retailers over here. Here is their website http://www.tsubotapearl.co.jp/eng/pr...cigarpipe.html

As far as an inexpensive cutter, I'd stick with my Palio. It cuts with surgical precision and works like a charm every time. It runs ~$30 on most websites from what I've seen.

[westb182]

Thanks
I bought a nicer double blade one. I already have a double blade, but it's a cheap one.

[craig]

That makes three of us looking at those tri-blade scissors! I almost pulled the trigger quite a few times at cigarmony.com - but then I slap myself and realize that two Palio's, a couple plastic cr*p double-blade guillotines, a Xikar knife w/cutter, my fingernails, and my teeth, are enough already!

I had (lost it) a Cuban Crafters "Perfect cutter." That was a great cutter for use while driving. Otherwise, Palio rules! (although it would be nice if they cleaned up the plastic flashing before they sold or painted the cutter. Guess I can't complain too much given the price, though.)

[Silencei2]

That makes three of us looking at those tri-blade scissors! I almost pulled the trigger quite a few times at cigarmony.com - but then I slap myself and realize that two Palio's, a couple plastic cr*p double-blade guillotines, a Xikar knife w/cutter, my fingernails, and my teeth, are enough already!

I had (lost it) a Cuban Crafters "Perfect cutter." That was a great cutter for use while driving. Otherwise, Palio rules! (although it would be nice if they cleaned up the plastic flashing before they sold or painted the cutter. Guess I can't complain too much given the price, though.)

Lol, I tried using me teeth on a La Gloria Cubana Serie R in Vegas... that was a horrible idea... I ended up tossing the cigar but it was a great effort at the least

On the other hand. Palio does have different finished now. Last time I checked they had a silver one, a gold one and my favorite, a carbon fiber painted finish. I stuck with the good ole black and I too wish they polished up the plastic a little.

[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.

[EGQ]

I've been eyeballing those cutters too. I read some good reviews on them and it looks like it would not pinch the cigar like you get with a double/single blade guillotine. Not really practical to bring around with you but it would be a real great conversation piece when you have fellow BOTLs over to smoke.

If you do buy them let me know how they work. Cuban Crafter's sell's there own kind and there is another company that imports them from Japan, presumably the original article. I contacted the company who originally imported them from Japan (saw them in an article in Cigar Aficionado) and he only has a few retailers over here. Here is their website http://www.tsubotapearl.co.jp/eng/pr...cigarpipe.html

As far as an inexpensive cutter, I'd stick with my Palio. It cuts with surgical precision and works like a charm every time. It runs ~$30 on most websites from what I've seen.

I've had the Pearl tri-blade cutter for a while now -- generally very pleased with it -- fits most rings up to 58 or so, and cuts very smoothly with no pinching. It was bit pricey ($75), and I'd imagine that sooner or later the blades will become dull -- it has screws for disassembly, so I'm optimistic about being able to sharpen.