CIGAR CUTTING

“How Would You Like To Cut A Cigar?”

This was the question asked to me by the Cuban cigar blender after giving me a tour of the tobacco fields. At his disposal were myriads cigar cutting tools, that looked far better than the cheap cutter I had hurriedly purchased in the hotel gift shop.

Only at this point I realised, after smoking hundreds of cigars before, I did not know all the different ways to cut a cigar, nor the benefits of each. I began to think it was time to elevate the experience by learning about the proper tools to cut my favourite cigars. Turning the question to him, I asked, what cut do you prefer?

The cigar blender picked up a metal double guillotine, and paused to construct his answer. I prefer the straight cut which can be used on any cigar. It allows the fullest draw and greatest flavour. You get all the smoke. But, you must be careful because many people cut off too much, which can cause the cigar to unravel. “CLIP”. Always be sure to cut fast, and cut powerfully.

The Quest

What about the other tools? Curiosity got to me – I wanted to learn about punches , V-cuts and the cigar scissors I have seen. Turning to my long time friend and cigar industry expert at Taylors Tobacconists in Brighton UK, I asked for his take on some of the options for cutting a cigar. The double guillotine is the most accepted cutter, and for good reason since it can be used for all types of cigars. There are two things to look for in a quality double guillotine: blade hardness and durability.

The real question is not how well it is cut in the beginning, but how long it will cut well. But I didn’t stop there, I had to inquire about the other cutters I had seen in my local tobacconist. Can you tell me more about cigar scissors? The cigar scissors became very popular in the 1980’s when most would smoke in lounges on their home. The big advantage of the scissors cut is that you can produce a very controlled cut, and need less power to do so. A good scissor can be resharpened very easily and is a product that will last a lifetime. I urged “Taylors” to go on about v-cutters and punches. The v-cut gained popularity in the 1920’s many people preferred smaller, short filler cigars. This cutter makes a wedge shaped cut which restricts the draw, less so the a punch, but enough to really concentrate on the smoke. Also, it prevents small pieces of loose tobacco from going astray. While the v-cutter is quite old, the punch is the youngest accessory on the market.

This cutter is especially easy to use since you do not have to worry about cutting too much of the cigar. Some people also enjoy that the head of the cigar cannot be easily damaged. The most critical aspect to consider about a punch is the blade; too thin and they will dull quickly, too thick and they will not be sharp. “Taylors Tobacconists produces excellent punches and quality v-cutters with stainless steel blades”.

Conclusion

After speaking to Taylors Tobacconists in Bond Street Brighton UK, I learned that each cigar cutter has its own uses and benefits, and different occasions may call for a different cigar cut. It is always best to prepare for each new smoke that may come my way, and I am glad I know that Taylors tobacconists have cutters for every occasion.

Make sure to purchase some new metal bodied steel cutters to suit your smoking style next time you Taylors Tobacconists in Brighton. Or you can try them all, there’s a cutter for every occasion. Contact us today to find out more.