Is my cutter bad?

[SeanGAR]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Cutting off way too much. Try cutting the size of a pencil, if too tight, cut an 1/8 inch and try the draw. If too tight, repeat.


NCRM

Good advice.

When I don't use a Havana cutter, I use a pocket knife to cut cigars using a V-cut (even the torps). Never found the Palios or Xikar that I have owned to be as good as the cheap Havana cutter. In my opinion, the blades of the Palio and Xikar are too thick or the bevel angle is too large. In any case, a nice knife like the Al Mar Hawk does a great job of cutting cigars.

[DAL]

I have a Xikar but do not like the way it cuts or the problem of pinching as mentioned by montecristo#2. I read about the Havana cutter on this forum a couple of months ago and when I saw a picture of it, I realized I already had one. I don't remember where I got it. Probably complimentary from a cigar shoppe a few years ago. It doesn't say Havana on it, but otherwise it's exactly the same and the patent # traces it to the same company that made the Havana cutters. I tried it for the first time a couple of months ago, and haven't gone back to my Xikar. The only problem I have had with the HC is that I sometimes cut at a slight angle, instead of straight across the cap. Even so, the cut is still razor sharp. I used a Palio at a B&M the other day. Not bad, but the Havana makes a sharper cut. Too bad the company stopped making them.

[uwhoo]

Originally Posted by RGD

If your wrapper is coming undone - it's normally one of two things: you are cutting to much of the cap off or your cutter is actually crushing the cigar as it cuts.
If it's crushing - then it's due to a dull cutter or you are not cutting fast enough. Try using a quick snap when cutting.
As for cutting away to much - try this. Lay your cutter down on a table in the open position. Insert the smoke into it so it also rests on the table. Now without lifting the cutter or cigar off of the table - snap the cutter closed. It should take off the correct amount.

Ron

Great way to explain how much to cut off! Wow why didn't I think of that. Must be my ring gauge.