How to Cut a Cigar Without a Cutter

Getting a good cut on your cigar is a crucial part of the smoking experience, and there are multiple cuts and dedicated tools for the job. However, if you find yourself bereft of your favourite cutter – rest assured, there are a range of alternatives that can still let you enjoy your cigar. 

Which end of a cigar do you cut? 

Cigars consist of three main sections: the head, the body, and the foot. The head is the tapered closed-off end of the cigar and contains the cap. The cap is a small piece of tobacco that covers the top of the cigar, and this is the part you cut. The foot is the end that you light and the body is the main section that you hold. 

Where to cut a cigar 

The goal when cutting a cigar is to create a hole in the cap so that you can draw air through the cigar. The larger the cut you make, the more smoke you’ll draw, and the quicker your cigar will run out.  

You want your cut to be about half a centimetre long, and big enough to smoothly draw smoke but not so big that the paper begins to unravel. If you’re unsure, start by only cutting a small amount off the cap and then go in again if you cannot easily pull air through it. 

The three most common cut types are a straight-cut, V-cut, and punch cut. 

Straight-cut 

Straight-cut is a popular option that works well with cigars of any size or shape. This is commonly done with a single-blade or double-blade guillotine, and you cut perpendicular to the cigar in one smooth motion. You can achieve a straight-cut using other sharp blades, such as a knife or pocketknife, scissors, or even your teeth. Try and cleanly cut your cigar to achieve the best results. 

V-cut 

A v-cut is a wedge that is cut into the head of the cigar. This cut works poorly for cigars with a shallow cap or smaller ring gauge as you risk unravelling the paper. This cut is the hardest to achieve without a specific tool, so it is recommended to try other cuts if you don’t have a v-cut cutter.  

Punch-cut 

The punch-cut is a practical method for cutting a cigar as it can be achieved with many different objects. It involves removing a circle of tobacco from the cap like a hole-puncher. You can use a cigar punch or cigar piercer for this cut, or any sharp pointy tool. Fingernails can be a popular option to prise off the top layer of the cap. 

After cutting, dust off any loose tobacco, do a cold draw of the cigar to check the air flow, and then you’re ready to light and smoke a cigar. 

While household tools or fingernails can do in a pinch, if you want to achieve an effortlessly perfect cut every time, browse our range of cigar cutters.