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Cutting questions from a newb

MartyMcFly

MartyMcFly

Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
263
Location
Illinois
I'm going up to wisconsin this weekend for a dog show and since I will be spending some time outdoors I decided to get a couple sticks from my local smoke shop. I ended up getting a Padron 2000 and a RP Vintage 92. Since I dont have a cutter yet (as I am new to smoking cigars) I asked the gentleman behind the counter if he could cut them for me. He said sure and then told me that he would be doing a "bullet" cut or something to that effect. He said that he and many others preffered "bullet" when smoking a box pressed cigar. My questions are, is this the same thing as a punch and is the term "bullet" synonomous with a punch? Also is his advice for using the "bullet" consistent with what you all do here? And lastly if could someone please explain some of the reasoning behind using this method for boxed pressed cigars?
 
Yes, bullet = punch.

As for the reason to use a punch over a guillotine on a box pressed cigar, it may be because some people find it difficult to get a clean cut on a square cigar with a cutter designed with "round" blades.
 
I sometimes use my Xikar bullet on box pressed cigars only because they are so tightly bunched. You have to be careful in doing so because sometimes the cigar will crack if you put too much pressure on it with the punch. Mostly now, as with a lot of other guys, I just use Ginsengs method of scoring the cap and flipping it off.
 
Jonesy said:
I sometimes use my Xikar bullet on box pressed cigars only because they are so tightly bunched. You have to be careful in doing so because sometimes the cigar will crack if you put too much pressure on it with the punch. Mostly now, as with a lot of other guys, I just use Ginsengs method of scoring the cap and flipping it off.
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<Sigh> Everyone wants to be cool like Wilkey.

Except for his Gay Porn/ Skipping days. :sign:
 
I don't like the punch nearly as much as a score and lift. I find I risk damaging the wrapper a lot while punching, but never have issues when I score and lift.

My punch technique may be rough, but either way, I just don't like it as much....on ANY cigar.
 
I've never had any tearing issues with punching. I generally stick the cigar in my mouth before I cut or punch. That moistens the cap. With a punch, I give a little twist while the blade is cutting and it goes right through. Pop the plug out of the punch and away we go! With my xikar, I just snip it and start the lighting process.

I've tried the score and lift technique as well. It's very useful if you can't figure out how far down the cap really goes. It has saved me from cutting too far down more than once.
 
Brickhouse said:
I don't like the punch nearly as much as a score and lift. I find I risk damaging the wrapper a lot while punching, but never have issues when I score and lift.

My punch technique may be rough, but either way, I just don't like it as much....on ANY cigar.
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I have the same issues. I think part of it may be from buying shit punches that are either dull when I buy them or go dull real fast.

I first started using the score and lift technique whenever I forgot my cutter, I almost always have a knife/box cutter on me. Now I use it all the time, it really is the best way to cut cigars for me (plus it give me an excuse to use my box cutter, best cigar cutter I ever bought and it only cost $12 :thumbs: )
 
TugBoat said:
I first started using the score and lift technique whenever I forgot my cutter, I almost always have a knife/box cutter on me. Now I use it all the time, it really is the best way to cut cigars for me (plus it give me an excuse to use my box cutter, best cigar cutter I ever bought and it only cost $12 :thumbs: )
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Same here. I've used my pocket knife and X-Acto knife when I didn't have my cutter with me.

Wilkey
 
LilBastage said:
I've never had any tearing issues with punching. I generally stick the cigar in my mouth before I cut or punch. That moistens the cap. With a punch, I give a little twist while the blade is cutting and it goes right through. Pop the plug out of the punch and away we go! With my xikar, I just snip it and start the lighting process.

I've tried the score and lift technique as well. It's very useful if you can't figure out how far down the cap really goes. It has saved me from cutting too far down more than once.
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x2

A punch is my preferred method but it takes a little bit of practice, especially on cigars with thinner wrappers. Moistening the cap is key, as is the "twisting" motion LilBastage mentions.

I would recommend a larger gauged punch if you can find one. The standard size ones are too small, IMO.

I use the score and lift method when I don't have a punch or cutter handy.
 
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