Giving up on POS Xicar cutter

[6clicks]

A few days ago I walked happily out of my local B&M with a new black Xicar cutter. This is a pretty nice looking deal I thought. After too many attempts at making a decent cut I'm ready for a Paleo. This POS, and I truly mean POS, won't make a cut as cleanly as my single blade guillotine, never mind my really expensive $4 double blade job. This morning I cut a R&J toro. Naturally, because I'm not "Experienced" with the Xicar, the cut was crooked and not very clean. When I tried to remove a bit more and straighten it out the blade tore the cap and ruined my stick. I smoked it of course, but It pissed me off no end. The left side blade will close smoothly and jam the cigar against the other side before the right side blade moves at all. The right side blade moves the locking button back up as it closes with an action that can only be described as scraping. I am just utterly disappointed at what everyone says is a nice cutter. It is not. It is junk! Do not buy one! Get yourself a cheap guillotine ($2- $4) and forget about it. When it gets dull in a year, throw it out and get another one. I'm sure I'll get flamed by Xicar lovers but I am really disappointed. I don't need a cutter that I have to "learn" to use. That's nonsense. I can literally make a cleaner cut with my pocket knife.

[ssutton219]

I love my Xikars and I am sorry it wasnt the cutter for you. No flaming here as I tell ppl to try out as many cutters as possible to see what works for them. I bout a Palio and didnt like the way it cut or felt in my hand...just not for me.

Good luck with your learning experiance!





Shawn

[dj1340]

I have a couple of XiKar cutters and have never experienced what you have. Wonder if it's that particular cutter with a problem. If you don't like it, you don't like. No big deal. There are alot of really nice cutters on the market. I find the cheap plastic $2 to $3 ones don't cut well for me.

[slyder]

Its got a lifetime warrenty....send it back and they will give you a new one. If that one cuts the same way ....then id abandon them. I have a Colibri Firebird similar to a Xikar but to me it feels alot better in my hand and only cost me like $15!

[ashmaster]

Ain't going to be any flaming here. I happen to have a Xikar and Palio and both work fine for me. Some people like Coke, some like Pepsi, and others like RC. They're all a cola, it's just what do you like the best. Same with cutters, whether it be the $4 double blade, a pocket knife, a Xikar or Palio, if it works and your happy with the results, then rock-n-roll.

[FriendlyFire]

Hi, From reading all the posts so far, I have to say I feel that you picked up a damaged peice or your stick was to moist. the way you wrote it, it sounds worst then a $2 junk. It can't be that bad unles it is broken unless hey like others said maybe it aint somthing you like. Try to exchange it.

[6clicks]

I think I'll send it back and see what happens. I'm sure they'll take care of it as they have a sterling rep. After I vented this afternoon I clipped an Onyx reserve toro. I was very careful and gave it a quick snip as instructed by them. The right 2/3 of the cut was smooth and even while the left 1/3 went low on another angle. Tomorrow I'll lay it flat on the table and try it that way. I'm just annoyed that I didn't get what I expected. Maybe I'm not operating it correctly yet but gheesh, it's a cigar cutter not a viollin. I still actually like it and I don't want to have it lay in the drawer. Guess I'll plug away a little longer and see what happens.

[blueeyedbum]

Won't the shop you bought it from do something about the problem? Being its only a couple of days old, I would hope that someone there would take a look at it and solve your problem by replacing it if its defective or give you a credit towards something different.

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by blueeyedbum

Won't the shop you bought it from do something about the problem? Being its only a couple of days old, I would hope that someone there would take a look at it and solve your problem by replacing it if its defective or give you a credit towards something different.

Ditto this,,,,my Xikar works great and I have had it for 2 years and no problems whatsoever. Try another one before you get to ticked off,,,sometimes you get a lemon and at least with this product they will replace it.

[guy g]

Ditto's here too on sending it in. Could be dull, or mis aligned. I have the MTX scissor style and I like it.

[6clicks]

Thanks for the good advice guys. After nearly ruining a CAO Brazillia this afternoon with a ragged, two angle cut, I packed it up for warranty in tomorrow's mail. It seems to be really dull, as it won't make a clean cut. I did stop at the shop where I bought it but they're just about out of stock as they are closing down. It's the Tinder Box in New Bern NC. Too bad as it was a nice place with good people. They are also having a buy two get one free sale which I took advantage of again. One of the things that did it for them was, of course, SCHIP. We've got to get rid of these a-holes in D.C.

[Phantom57]

Nothing wrong with the cutter, most likely you. They are not easy to use properly. Instability in the hand causes an uneven cut. Lay the cutter flat on a table, stick the head of the cigar down into it and snap forcefully, you will get an even cut. One blade is designed to close before the other, and this is not a defect, read their FAQ section.

All that said, I don't like them either, as I find them too difficult to use. I use my Palio most the time.

[6clicks]

The last stick I cut I did lay it on a table. Once more I got a fairly clean two angle cut. Bt fairly clean I mean that under close inspection it had ragged edges and the filler was not cleanly cut. So far I don't like it but I'll see how it works when I get it back.

[cleggstore]

Unless its a twisted top or a torpedo shape I use a punch cutter. I do keep some $4 cutters around for cutting off the end of it goes soft.

David

[6clicks]

I did sent it back to the mfgr and I'm sure they'll correct it. It felt like the blades weren't sharp. When I laid it flat on the table as I do with my cheap 2-blader it was extremely difficult to get it to cut the cigar. It felt like I was cutting wood. Sometimes things get past quality control in any company. I should have it back soon and I'm going to give it an honest effort. I really like the look and feel of the unit and I would like it to be my regular cutter. I don't think that the right side blade is supposed to grind away at the button as it's closed. Also,it would not open fully unless I gave the button a quick snap. Something is dragging inside.