Do you we really need instruction for this? All you’re doing is cutting the end off of the cigar so you can draw, right?  Yes, it’s as easy as that – you would think.  There are a couple things to know, however, depending on the style of cut and the shape of the cigar.

Whether you use a guillotine/scissors, V-cut, punch or even your teeth there is a very simple rule that is meant to maintain the integrity of a cigars construction.

DON’T CUT OFF THE ENTIRE CAP.

WHY? The cap is what holds the wrapper in place so it won’t unravel while smoking it.

DON’T clip off a chunk of the cigar.  You only need to shave off the very end of the cap, enough to let air flow through the cigar.

Scissors/Guillotine

This is the most common cut and one that you can’t really mess up.  Just be sure to shave off the very end so that the cap remains intact allowing it to keep the wrapper in pace.  You only want to cut off enough to let air through.

V-Cut

A V-cutter acts the same way as a guillotine with the exception that two blades cut a “V’ shape at the foot of the cigar.  The V is cut through the entire end of the cigar and is a foolproof method if you like this style.  It leaves enough of the cap so that it won’t remove the most crucial part that keeps the wrapper in place.

Punch Cut

The punch cut is also a very popular method.  It punches a hole through the cap so that air can easily pass through the cigar.  With this method there is no need to worry about cutting off too much.  The one thing you do want to keep in mind is that if you like large ring gauge cigars, a small punch can make it harder to draw – or even worse, allow tar to build up at the end which can lead to an awful experience, even ruining the cigar.  You can use the punch cutter a few times if need be on a larger ring gauge cigar to ensure there is enough air to pass through and avoid the tar build up.  Even though the name says punch – you don’t just want to push the cutter into the cigar.  Hold the cigar on the cap and gently twist.

Biting/Teeth

Ok so you don’t really bite the cigars cap off.  But you can use your teeth.  The same principal applies here when you don’t have a cutter or even prefer biting the cap of the cigar.  You just want to shave off enough so that air can come through. This can get a bit tricky though since it’s a lot easier for the entire cap to get ripped off. An easy way is to wet the end of the cigar with saliva first so  that tobacco becomes more pliable.  Go slow. Try to spin the cigar as your teeth puncture the end and work your way around in a circle until you are able to remove only the part of the cap preventing air flow.  It’s not the cleanest method, you’ll end up with tobacco in your teeth and it won’t be as clean or smooth as it would be with an actual cutter – but it will work.

Torpedos/Belicosos/Tapered Foot Cigars

These shapes of cigars don’t necessarily have the same sort of cap as your rounded, capped cigars.  The main thing with this shape is to not cut off too much, getting rid of the tapered shape.  Otherwise you may as well smoke a robusto or toro.  Just cut off enough of the cigar so that enough air flow is allowed to comfortably come through.

Cutting a cigar is a very simple process but doing it wrong can lead to unwanted problems.  It takes little practice but you’ll easily find the right cut for your own preference while maintaining the integrity of the cigars construction.