Collection: Cigar Cutters

A cigar cutter, at its most basic, is a device used to nip the cap end off of a cigar in order to properly smoke it. Is it possible to properly smoke a cigar without using a bona fide cigar cutter? Sure. But if you want a clean draw and smooth smoking experience a cigar cutter is a must-have.

The evolution of the cigar cutter is an interesting one. Born out of refined civility (Who wants to chomp off the end, really?) and improved upon as technology dictated, the humble cigar cutter has moved from status symbol to necessary tool of the cigar smoking ritual. Today’s cutters are high precision, excellent quality and designed for the specific task.

Cutters come in three key types: Guillotine, Punch and V-Cut. We will delve deeper into the types of cutters and their specific use in a bit. But first let’s learn the history of this marvelous invention.

Before the invention of the cigar cutter those who wanted a good smoke often used whatever they had on hand. Some gentlemen implemented the use of knives while other more roguish fellows bit off the cap end of their cigar. These cuts and tears left a jagged, uneven end from which to draw. The haphazard operation resulted in uneven burn and, often, a mouth full of tobacco. There had to be a better way to enjoy a good cigar.

Enter the first cigar cutters. Dating back to the mid-1800s, the first cigar cutters were much more like today’s punches in that they simply perforated the end of the cigar. This allowed the smoke to flow through more evenly and provide fuller flavor. But this rudimentary cigar cutter certainly offered room for improvement.

As cigar smoking became more fashionable the need for a more refined cutter was apparent. Most aficionados ditched the perforator for the more thorough cut of a knife. A sharp pocket knife was just the tool to open the head of the cigar.

While it remains unclear who the inventor of the first real cigar cutter is there is reference to the tool dating back to 1859. A book published that year called Tobacco: Its History and Associations by Frederick William Fairholt a German tobacco manufacturer, references the first cigar knife, or early cutter:

“In Berlin, a few years ago, an ingenious pocket- knife, entirely of steel, was fabricated for the use of cigar-smokers. It had all the strength of the usual knife, but the spring was so constructed that it did not shut down to the edge of the blade; the cigar-end being placed through the aperture at the end, the point of the knife, on being pressed down by the finger, cut off the end of the cigar.”

Fairholt then goes on to describe a second type of cutter:

“Another simple little implement, to act as cigar-cutter and holder.... The double cutter at one side takes off the end of the cigar, and, when closed, acts as a hold for the finger and thumb, the opposite arms closing round the cigar and securing it very firmly. A small loop on one of the cutters allows it to be attached to the watch-chain if desired.”

As the popularity of cigars continued to grow, cigar cutters became somewhat of a status symbol. They indeed dangled from many a watch chain and the more ornate the better. These early items of distinction were crafted from precious metals with inlaid jewels. Captains of industry and other prosperous men of means jockeyed for the most ornate as a sign of wealth.

These early cutters were more decorative than utilitarian and came in all shapes and sizes. They depicted Art Nouveau images of women, a ship's wheel, champagne bottles, shoes and pistols to name a few. Elegant and collectible, these ornate cutters were often sold along with the finest stages in local cigar shops.

Soon the cigar cutter caught on with the work-a-day population and ingenious companies started to advertise their tobacco products, among other items, and tourists could purchase them as souvenirs from such popular American destinations as Washington, D.C.

Now the only thing left to do was perfect the cigar cutter so it could perform to the utmost. For that there needed to be some attention paid to the precision of the instrument. Enter the three types of cutters.

Guillotine Straight Cut Cigar Cutter

The most common cigar cutter is the straight cut. This cutter is best suited to cigars of a smaller ring gauge. The cut is quick and straight (thus the name) and allows both ends of your favorite stogie to be exposed. The straight-cut cigar cutter uses guillotine action and comes in single or double blade. Many experienced cigar fans prefer the double blade as they say it provides a cleaner and more precise cut.

Straight-cut cutters also include cigar scissors which some prefer for the more exacting cut it provides. But when it comes to practicality the guillotine straight cutter is best. The guillotine is smaller and more compact. It fits nicely in a shirt pocket or tucked into a travel case. And it gets the job done. A lot of fans prefer this cutter for its ability to provide a complete precision cut that takes off the entire cap allowing maximum smoke to be drawn without buildup around the edge.

The Punch Cut

Punch cut cigar cutters come in three subcategories, the bullet punch, the Havana punch and the multi-punch. The bullet punch is shaped like a bullet and attaches to a keychain for easy use. The bullet is twisted to expose a circular blade that’s used to cut a hole into the cap of the cigar. This manner of cigar cutting exposes less of the filler and binder tobacco, reducing the risk of getting tobacco in your mouth. Although some critics of the bullet cigar punch point out the smaller hole inhibits a full draw and is easily clogged by saliva and a buildup of tobacco. Also the cap of the bullet punch is small and can easily be lost or misplaced, exposing the blade. This, in turn, can dull the blade and increase the risk of cutting one’s self.

The Havana punch is just as convenient as the bullet punch but is a safer option. The blade of the Havana punch is recessed and the user pushes a button to engage spring-action exposure of the blade.

While technically not considered a cigar cutter, the multi-punch tool offers different size punches to core the cap on different sized ring gauges of cigars.

The V-Cut Cigar Cutter

The V-Cut is a common cigar cutter originally designed to cut the pyramid-shaped vitolas. While the v-cut is similar in appearance to the guillotine straight cutters it doesn’t completely remove the cap. Instead the v-cutter creates a deep incision in the cap that penetrates into the filler. But in order to achieve the precision cut you need to get the best draw and most even burn; it’s necessary to select a very good v-cut cigar cutter. Maintaining the sharpness of your cutter is essential as it's easy to get a sloppy cut with dull blades.

Because the task of the cigar cutter is a clean and precise cut it’s imperative to exercise caution when using this surgically sharp device, no matter the type. And a serious injury can even impact the legends in their field. In 1999 basketball legend Michael Jordan suffered a career-interrupting injury from a cigar cutter.

In a NY Daily News article dated January 14 1999, Sports Journalist Frank Isola wrote:

“Even if Michael Jordan hadn't retired yesterday, there was a good chance he would have been unable to help the Bulls much this year. After announcing his retirement, Jordan revealed that he severed a tendon in his right index finger last week while cutting a cigar. According to Jordan, the injury will require surgery….”

Cigar smoking is now a booming industry as well as a lifestyle for many enthusiasts. Cigar lovers have so many choices these days. From high quality, affordably priced cigars to excellent humidors and other trappings of the hobby, devotees will find the cigars and accouterments that best suit their needs.

State of the art technology has made its way to the industry in the form of humidification systems, lighters and cigar cutters. With premium cigar cutters, in particular, the need for an ergonomic and dependable cutter became apparent as the boom exploded in the early 1990s. While the ornate and personalized cutters of their great grandfathers’ day were adequate, the modern cigar aficionado proved to be more focused on excellence in function as well as style.

Given the need for improvement on the product it’s impossible to extoll the virtues of cigar cutters without including the story of the Xikar brand. A midwestern gentleman, Kurt Van Keppel, found the cigar cutters available in 1994 fell short of his expectations in terms of functionality. And to Mr. Van Keppel’s dismay it didn’t matter the price point. In his opinion the cutters were subpar at all price points. So he did what any ingenious person would do and decided to design his own.

Van Keppel reached out to his friend Scott Almsberger, an expert in product design, and together they came up with the Xikar high end cigar cutter. The double bladed cutter was humbly first assembled in a garage and has grown to consistently rank among the top 10 cigar cutters on industry lists year after year. The Xikar brand expanded and now includes a full selection of cigar cutters, lighters and travel humidors.