Is there a V-Cutter you prefer to Xikar?

[JoeGibs]

You know the little plastic cheap ones by the cash register at your local B&M?? That's what I use. Never failed. I don't dilly dally around with it. I put the cigar in the little slot and snip it with purpose. Narry a problem that I can recall. Sometimes, if I want to get fancy, I'll even twist the cigar after the first V cut and do it again for a crown cut. Still no problems. $5 and if I lose it, so be it.

I used to be a punch guy but I like the V cutter better. Actually less fuss, IMHO. - Having said that, I don't want to come across any kind of way, I would like to have a very nice torch lighter one day. I've got a torch now but it's still from the cheap section of the cash register at the local B&M. Seems to keep working so... - I smoke at home. Never a cigar bar or anything like that so I don't have to worry about appearances and what other people think. (I'm not saying that's what people are doing here, just sharing my perspective)

I had been using the cheap plastic cutter from the local place for several years. Thought why upgrade when this does the job. Then I splurged and got the Xikar V cut, and have been kicking myself wondering why the hell I waited so long? It makes a MUCH cleaner cut, effortlessly.

 

[BlindedByScience]

Here are the tools that live in my little cigar tool box; no big surprises here. The OG Xikar and Palio cutters were gifted to me decades ago by a long time CP member, no longer with us. Makes them touchingly special to me, think about him every time I use them. All cut like razors, never an issue with this crew:

 

[CigarStone]

I have a question? Will the V cut tend to concentrate tar build-up since all the smoke is concentrated into the V?

 

[BlindedByScience]

I have a question? Will the V cut tend to concentrate tar build-up since all the smoke is concentrated into the V?

Not nearly as much as a punch.

 

[lucasbuck]

I have a question? Will the V cut tend to concentrate tar build-up since all the smoke is concentrated into the V?

I have never had an issue with this even down to 40 ring as well as tapered head cigars.

 

[llazy_llama]

I have a question? Will the V cut tend to concentrate tar build-up since all the smoke is concentrated into the V?

Less so even compared to a guillotine, IMO. There's just so much additional surface area when your cut is in three dimensions.

 

[CigarStone]

Less so even compared to a guillotine, IMO. There's just so much additional surface area when your cut is in three dimensions.

I guess that could be true depending on how deep the V cut is. I always start a guillotine cut by taking the smallest amount I can, then a little more if the draw isn't good. Being an engineer, I had to see it to understand it.

If the black horizontal line represents a guillotine cut and the black V represents a V-cut, the V would have to be longer than the line when spread out.

 

[llazy_llama]

I guess that could be true depending on how deep the V cut is. I always start a guillotine cut by taking the smallest amount I can, then a little more if the draw isn't good. Being an engineer, I had to see it to understand it.

If the black horizontal line represents a guillotine cut and the black V represents a V-cut, the V would have to be longer than the line when spread out.

View attachment 106898

If that was drawn to scale, it would represent an incredibly shallow V cut.

 

[CigarStone]

If that was drawn to scale, it would represent an incredibly shallow V cut.

Maybe, but that was one of the original premises in this thread, most V Cutters cut too deep. This is a Drew Estates Factory smokes Churchill which is a 52 ring gauge, cut with a Xikar V cut. This should provide a pretty good visual reference.

 

[BlindedByScience]

I've got the Xikar and the Colibri. Both cut like razors; the Colibri takes a hell of a bite out of the end of the cigar, while I find the Xikar is just about perfect. As they say, one man's opinion.....