Cigar Cutter Information You Need to Get the Best One for YouA quality cigar cutter with sharp blades is crucial before beginning the ritual of preparing your cigar for smoking. There are four types of cutters to consider (leave the meat cleaver at home). They are the guillotine cutter, scissor, v-cutter, and cigar punch. 
The guillotine cigar cutter is my method of choice. There are single blade and double blade. Double blade is the most efficient.The single blade guillotine cutter applies pressure to one side of the cigar, which can compress your filler and cause draw problems, especially if the blade isn't as sharp as it should be. This can also create a pull or tear when cutting through the other side of you cigar. I entrust my cigars to a double blade guillotine cigar cutter. The two blades allow equal pressure to be applied on both sides of your premium cigar and pass each other in the middle to crate a smooth cut. The two holes on each end of the cutter allow your thumb and finger to steadily guide it's way through the cigar to ensure accuracy. Prices on a cigar cutter can vary greatly. If your using your freebie from your local smoke shop, or one you paid $2.50 for, I suggest you use it only for emergencies. These are usually made from inferior steel, and even if they seem to be sharp on the first cut, will dull rapidly. My cigar cutter is made of high quality hardened surgical steel. Cheap models not only have inferior steel, but have a tendency to have a lot of play in the blades, which make for an uneven cut. My experience with guillotine cutters that claim to be self-sharpening is.... maybe for awhile. Eventually even the high quality self-sharpening one will dull, but do last longer than a lot of marriages.
Now let's talk about the cigar scissor. A well made one can provide a very nice cut. The key is to make sure it is extremely sharp.Unlike the double blade guillotine, the cigar scissor applies a lot of pressure at the apex, which for a sharp scissor should not be an issue. Now, if that scissor dulls even a little bit, you are going to mangle your poor cigar. If you even think it's getting dull, spare the Felipe Gregorio cigars and test it on one of your inexpensive bundle deals. If you prefer a scissor, invest in a good one. It's not nearly as forgiving as a double blade guillotine when it starts to dull.
This is designed to cut a v-cut into the head of the cigar. This exposes more filler and gives a more prominent draw. The problem is, as enticing as this seems, I've yet to find one that slices through easily. End result is that the head becomes a bit mangled and compressed to varying degrees. This makes for a poor draw and a less than stellar smoke to say the least. Some people swear by the v-cutter, but I have a sneaking suspicion they may be going through many a cigar cutter in search for that perfect v-cut. Also, if you're a fan of thick gauge cigars, many v-cutters are not made to accommodate these.
The cigar punch is a nice looking piece of hardware and extremely easy to carry. Most that I've seen have a ring that allows you to put it on your keychain. The shape reminds you of a bullet (especially if you took the cover off of the one in the picture) and the blade is in the shape of a circle. These come in several different gauges, the most common being the thickness of a pencil. To use, simply take the cigar punch and gently apply it to the center of the head of your cigar, while carefully turning the punch. When you get to the stop point (usually about a 1/4 inch) continue to carefully turn the punch while pulling it out. Although not new, this method is the newest of the four, and many swear by it. As far as myself.... I find the draw to be too concentrated. The accumulation of tar which builds up in this narrow exit point, has at least to me, an undesired affect. It brings a whole new meaning to the expression "liquid lunch". Yes, you've got it.... the tar and the tobacco start to condense and begins to drip in your mouth, on your shirt, you name it. A bib is recommended. If you would like to try a cigar punch or already own one, remember to always have a sharp blade. I would also suggest carrying a guillotine cutter as a spare, because you cannot cut a torpedo or a pyramid cigar with it due to the pointed head. As I had mentioned earlier, my favorite cigar cutter is the double bladed guillotine. This is my own personal preference. If you are a beginner, take the advice I offer and use it as a guideline while you search out your own preferred method. If you are an aficionado, you undoubtedly have your own method already. Try to keep an open mind. To this day, I will try a v-cut cigar cutter every so often. You never know.... Return From Cigar Cutter to Cigar Accessory
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And now the dreaded v-cutter. I have never been able to master this cigar cutter.
