How to Cut a Cigar

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References Approved

First time smoking a cigar? Then it's time you learned how to cut one properly. Even if you don't want to smoke a cigar yourself it's useful to know how, in order to cut cigars for people at parties or celebrations.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Straight Cut with Double-Guillotine Cutter

1
Select the correct end of the cigar to cut. This is the end of the cigar that goes in your mouth and is called the head of a cigar. The opposite end of the cigar is known as the foot. The head is distinguishable by the fact that it has a cap on it, a round piece of tobacco that is stuck onto the head in order to keep the wrapper of the cigar together.^{[1]
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- The head is also usually easily distinguishable because it's the end closest to the logo sticker wrapped around the cigar.
2
Identify where the "shoulder" of the cigar ends. The shoulder is where the curved end of the cigar starts to straighten out.^{[2]
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Research source} Right above the shoulder, where the curve is still intact, is where you'll you want to cut.^{[3]
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3
Pick up your cigar cutter between your thumb and forefinger using your dominant hand.
4
Place the cigar into the cutter and close one eye in order to line up the cigar correctly. Line it up so that you're cutting right above the shoulder of the cigar.
- Remember that it's better to cut too little than too much. You can always go back and cut more cigar off, but it's impossible to go back and put already-cut cigar back on. Better to be safe than sorry.
5
Cut the cigar quickly in one fluid motion, with as much force as you can. Keep a tight grip on the cigar with your other hand and try not to let it move until it is cut all the way through.^{[4]
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- Quickness is key here. You want the guillotine to slice through the cigar quickly, not tear through it slowly.
- Make sure to grab a sharp cutter. Like a kitchen knife, the sharper your guillotine the better. Unless disaster strikes (it won't), you'll never regret having a sharper implement.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Punch Cut with Punches

1
Get a cigar punch. A cigar punch just punches a hole through the head of the cigar.^{[5]
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Research source} There are, however, three different kinds of cigar punches available:
- Bullet punch: Fits on a keychain, it twists to expose a circular blade that cuts into the head of the cigar.
- Havana punch: Safer than a bullet punch, it has a recessed tip that can be fitted into the cigar head, and which draws out the tobacco plug after a cut is made.
- Multi-punch: Offers more sizes for punching different sizes of cigars.
2
Pick an appropriate punch size, if possible, and push the blade into the cap.
3
After the blade is inserted into the cap, rotate it to fully cut a hole into the cap, then remove the blade. the cut portion will come out as well.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Wedge Cut with V-Cutters

1
Use a v-cutter for more draw on a cigar. A v-cutter will give the cigar smoker a bigger draw by cutting deeper into the head of the cigar. One drawback of the v-cutter is that it sometimes produces too big of a draw, making the cigar smoke too hot.^{[2]
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- A very good v-cutter will sit on a table, but is too big to carry with you. A small one is the same size as any other small cutter and can cost as little as $4.00.
- A v-cutter will not remove too much from the head of the cigar, which can result in the unwrapping of the cigar.
2
Hold the cigar in one hand, and the v-cutter in your other (dominant) hand, with the ends pulled open.
3
Put the cigar into the cutter's indentation. Take care not to wedge the head of the cigar too deep into the v-cutter, or the cut may be too big.^{[7]
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4
Pushing the cigar toward the cutter, squeeze the two ends of the cutter together. Remove any loose tobacco by tapping the cigar on an ashtray or by blowing lightly into the wedge.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Biting

1
Understand that biting is imprecise and may result in a poor smoke. While this method is often discouraged, it will work in a pinch.^{[8]
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Research source} Even so, if you have a choice of a straight, punch, or wedge cut, opt for those instead of biting the cap off.
2
Place your teeth in the same manner as with the guillotine cutter.^{[9]
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3
Gently bite a few times while rotating the cigar.
4
After a few bites while rotating the cigar, the cap will be separated and can be removed by hand or mouth.

Warnings

Make sure you cut the cap quickly and cleanly in one motion or your cigar may be crushed and end up unusable.

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Taking off too much of the cap can result in your cigar's wrapper unraveling; taking off too little can cause the draw of the cigar to be much heavier, sometimes resulting in the cigar going out.^{[10]
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