Should I exchange my Palio?

[TiggaBob]

Hi all,

I am pretty new to cigars and am still in the process of getting accessories.
I recently got a new Palio cutter (among other things) based on what I've read lurking here on the boards.
I used it for the first time last night on a cigar I've had in my humi for a couple weeks @ 65% RH.
However, it pinched the cigar a bit before actually cutting through the cap. Is this normal?
After finishing my smoke, I tried cutting what was left of the cigar. Still with the pinching/squeezing.
Until now I've used the cheap free cutters that come with box samplers and those seemed sharper.

I've read that the Palio "cuts like a hot knife through butter" a few times in reviews, and I was under the impression that they stay sharp for years.

Did I get an odd one or am I just doing something wrong?

Thanks in advance!

[K Baz]

How quick did you clip it?

[tx_tuff]

If you are using it the same way as these cheap cutters you are talking about and it isn't working as good then yeah I would return it. But like K Baz asked how fast are you cutting it? You should not being using it slow, should be a fast cut. Also how much of the cap are you cutting off? Should be just the very tip of the cap, as thin as you can get it. In other words there should not be much of a cigar to pinch.

[Stench]

Having just gotten a Palio myself, I have found that I have to cut a bit quicker than I did with my cheap cutter. The funny thing is the caps seem to be in worse shape after cutting with the palio than with the crap cutter. The cigars on the other hand...nice and smooth cut

[Frodo]

Just got a Palio a couple of days ago. Does an excellent job cutting IMHO.

[TiggaBob]

Wow thanks for all the responses so far!

Actually, since I'm still new to this I would cut too much off and a crooked angle, so I've started cutting them by placing the cutter flat on a surface, then placing the cigar vertically, cap-side down in the hole, then squeezing.

I DID clip it kinda slow. However, I don't remember as much resistance using the cheaper double-bladed guillotine cutters. I plan on enjoying another cigar tomorrow so I'll adjust my technique then to make sure.

Thanks again for the input!

[TMMT]

As posted, just snip the tip of the cap and clip it smoothly but fast.