Quote Originally Posted by craig View Post
When you get the Palio, I'd suggest using a small round file or some emory paper to smooth out the edges cast in the plastic composite body. For that reason, I'd suggest the basic black (unpainted) version.

A Xikar is cool, but the Palio just seems better-engineered to me. Both cut just fine. I guess I'd say that a Xikar snips, but the Palio slices. I like to take off as little of the cap as possible in Cubans, as these generally have flat-cut filler under the cap. The draw seems better when the cutter doesn't touch the filler (again, in Cubans). In most non-Cubans, you want to cut into the filler, and the Xikar's design does seem to give a bit of leverage for doing that.

Anyhow, the difference is a matter of personal preference.
I think I"m getting the basic black one. I'm pretty sure that's the one I linked for the wife. I'll definitely tune it up if it needs it, thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to trying it.