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How To Cut A Cigar

Prior to smoking a cigar, its closed end must be cut and there is a recommended method for doing so. A clean cut is required because this prevents the cigar from unraveling. The cigar cutter should be high-quality and the cut should be made in the proper place. Follow these tips to properly cut a cigar.

The covered end of the cigar that is placed into the mouth is called the head. On the head is a round piece of tobacco called the cap. The cap is glued onto the head to keep the wrapper together and keep the cigar from drying. There is a distinct line where this cap ends that helps determine the cut location.

Only the outer layer of the wrapper should be removed, not the tobacco, when cutting. The cut should be made just before the cap, leaving three to four millimeters. If the cigar is a figuardo, cut off enough so the filler can be seen. When using a bullet punch cutter, the punch should be inserted on the cigar head. A bigger hole yields more smoke and requires several punches in the same area.

If the cut is made at the line of the cap or lower, the wrapper may be torn. The cut should be only enough to see the filler as this will provide a better smoke. There are other cut styles but a straight cut is the most common. This is the cut recommended until the smoker becomes more confident with the process.

Bullet punch cutters can usually be carried on a key ring but they do not work on a figuardo cigar. Special scissors, v-cutters, and guillotine cutters are other popular tools to use for cutting cigars. Whichever type of cutter is used, its blades should be kept sharp so no tearing will take place.