Cigar Cutter

What is Cigar Cutter? A cigar cutter is a tool used to remove the closed cap of a cigar before smoking, opening the head so the smoker can draw smoke through the filler and binder. The three principal types are the guillotine, the V-cut, and the punch, and each produces a different draw geometry and flavor concentration. Choosing among them is partly a matter of personal taste and partly a question of which vitola is in your hand, since some cuts simply do not suit certain cigar shapes. Early purpose-built cutters appeared in 1850s Berlin as all-steel pocket knives with spring mechanisms, and 19th-century variants were even sold as watch-fob attachments.

The Three Main Cuts

The guillotine, also known as the straight cut, is the most common type and the industry standard. It is available in single- or double-blade versions, with double-blade models preferred by aficionados because the opposing blades meet in the middle and typically produce a cleaner cut. Stainless steel blades sit in a sturdy chassis, and the result exposes the full cross-section of filler and binder, giving the coolest, loosest, and easiest draw of any cut. Extra-wide guillotines are made specifically for large ring gauge cigars in the 60 to 80 range.

The V-cut, sometimes called the wedge cut or cat's eye cut, carves a wedge-shaped notch into the cap rather than removing it. Many models use an inverted blade for a precise, repeatable cut. Because the V penetrates deeper into the filler than a straight cut, smoke from the top and bottom of the wedge converges on the palate, delivering a more concentrated draw with more intensity and heat. The V-cut was originally designed for pyramid and torpedo vitolas, and it remains a strong choice for those tapered shapes as well as standard parejos.

The punch, or bullet cutter, bores a small cylindrical hole into the cap and leaves the rest of it intact, producing the tightest and most concentrated draw of the three. It comes in three common variants: the keychain-sized bullet punch with a twisted blade mechanism, the Havana punch with a recessed spring-loaded blade, and the multi-punch with several aperture sizes. Punches do not work on torpedoes or other figurado shapes since there is no flat surface to bore into, and on oily cigars they can clog with saliva and tobacco buildup.

How to Use One Properly

With a guillotine, the goal is to cut just above the cap line, removing roughly the circumference of a dime. Cutting too deep is the most common mistake — it slices below where the wrapper is glued down with natural tobacco paste or a flour-and-water mixture, and the wrapper can begin to unravel as you smoke. A clean, shallow cut keeps the head intact and the draw consistent from first light to final third.

Scissors are a recognized alternative for performing a straight cut and are favored by smokers who want maximum precision and control over how much of the cap they remove. Quality cigar scissors are typically made of stainless steel and, with practice, can deliver a cut as clean as a double-blade guillotine. Whichever tool you reach for, the principles are the same: sharp blades, a deliberate motion, and respect for the cap line.