Review: Palió Cutter

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

PRODUCT: Palió
TYPE: Cigar cutter
WEBSITE: http://www.paliocutters.com/

SPECIFICATIONS:
Color: Black with surgical steel blades
Length: 3 5/8 inches
Width: 1 5/8 inches
Weight: 1.0 ounce
DATE OF RATING: 3/23/2006
FORM: 87
FUNCTION: 98
VALUE: 96
OVERALL SCORE: 93.6


BACKGROUND: After using this cutter for 75 cuts, I am ready to give my humble opinions about its form, function and value. I have cut large and small cigars, flatheads and perfectos, long cigars, short cigars and various odd shapes. I sacrificed two dogrockets just to cut through the cigars from head to foot, perfecting my technique with this particular cutter and getting a feel for the resistance and cutting performance.

FORM AND FUNCTION: According to the Palió website, this cutter has the following features (Features listed in all caps and my comments after each feature.):

1. ERGONOMIC - FINGER REST AND CONTOUR SHAPE. After using the cutter and trying to hold it different ways to take advantage of the design features, I’ve concluded that there is really no ergonomic advantage to the shape of the cutter. You simply can’t get any advantage in leverage or in control by using the “finger supports” or by virtue of the unique shape of the cutter.

2. HANDSOME - PEOPLE WILL ASK ABOUT IT. Well, it looks okay, for a flat black, plastic frame cutter, but I would say it lacks the “pod factor.” Nobody has looked at my cutter and said, “Dude, that is the coolest looking cutter I’ve ever seen.”

3. PRECISION CUT - BLADES AREN'T SLOPPY AND DON'T FALL OUT WITH AGE. The first part of this statement is absolute fact. The cut with this cutter is fantastic. Period. I haven’t used a cutter that has a better cut than the Palió. As for the blades falling out, I have an interesting observation… Because the cutter blade mechanism sticks, so as not to accidentally open, it takes a bit of pressure to open the cutter mechanism. The second time I used the cutter, I opened it with a snap and the entire cutter separated into two pieces. I was left with half the cutter dangling from my thumb and the other half on my index finger. Since then, it has happened twice again, though I have learned how to control the opening so as to avoid this occurrence.

4. CONTROLLED CUT - BE SURE HOW MUCH OF THE CIGAR'S CAP YOU REMOVE. Yes, there is some resistance in the cutting action that gives the feel of a controlled, precision cut; and there is certainly no problem in lining up and making your cut, which is typically clean and even.

5. CONTOURED CIGAR HOLDER - NO NEED FOR A COMMUNAL GERM PIT (ASH TRAY). This means that when you lay the cutter flat on a tabletop, you can using it as a cigar holder by putting the cigar in the contoured area of the cutter; a neat trick and it prevents your stogie from inadvertently rolling off the table. Don’t laugh, I KNOW it’s happened to you!

6. DETENT POSITION - WON'T ARBITRARILY OPEN. The cutter may not ARBITRARILY open, but it can ACCIDENTALLY do so. As noted above, I was able to pull the cutter apart by forcefully opening the cutter. I wasn’t trying to pull it apart, it just happened. After that, I decided to test to see if I could dislodge the two halves in any other way. I held on to one end of the cutter and repeatedly shook it (kind of like flicking open a switchblade) and the cutter flew apart in two pieces.

7. LARGE CUTTER OPENING – HANDLES UP TO 54 RING CIGARS. The opening on the Palió is a 53 ring size, if it cuts a 54 ring gauge cigar and thicker, it does so only because the cigar head is tapered. However, I was unable to get it around a 54 ring gauge cigar at its thickest point. Regardless, the Palió cutter is up to the task for the vast majority of cigars.

8. REMARKABLY SHARPER THAN LEADING CUTTERS. The Palió cutter is indeed very sharp. I could tell this by the ease and fineness of each cut. The blade seemed just as sharp to me throughout the test period. I DID NOT test for sharpness on my FINGERS. DO NOT try this at home!

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS: The cutter comes with a nice looking Velcro-secured pouch, which is handy because the flat black plastic is prone to scratches. At 1.0 ounce, this is one of the lightest double-guillotine cutters I have ever used. Interestingly, with respect to weight, the U.S. Patent documentation indicates that the weight of the device was supposed to be 2.75 ounces, however it’s not close to that. At 2.75 ounces, the cutter would have been the heaviest I own. Perhaps older versions of the cutters were heavier. Further, the patent document indicates that, to make the plastic cutter heavier (to “impart substance”) the body section was designed to include filler material that could include “stainless steel, tungsten, lead, fiberglass, or marble.” Though Palió might have evolved their ideas on the overall weight, the handles definitely do not feel cheap.

This cutter shines in the simplicity of its cutting action. The thin cutter blades are coated with titanium nitride, which make the blades more durable and will help maintain sharpness. The design feature that produces a “bowing” of the blades also causes them to rub together and “self-sharpen” with each stroke of the cutter. Because of the thin blades and tight blade interaction, your cigars are unlikely to be pinched during the cutting process. That has been my experience, the cigars that I have cut have all exhibited a clean cut and I never experienced any blade “sliding” when trimming the cigar cap.

The fact that the cutter can fly apart during extension, I consider to be a product of the design. The angle of the opposing handles and blades, which combine for a precise cut and a bowing of the blades during the cutting phase, can have the opposite effect when opening, placing the guides that hold the two halves together into their weakest positions.

Warranty: You can feel secure in your purchase given Palió’s nearly unlimited warranty. From the Palió website… “If you feel that the Palió cigar cutter you purchased has lost it's ability to deliver a quality cut, assuming it has only been used for it's intended purpose (cigar preparation), at anytime during it's life of use. Simply return it to ANY Palió cigar cutter vendor for a replacement. No questions asked!”

That pretty much says it all. An excellent product backed by an excellent warranty. If you want a no frills cutter, that cuts perfectly every time and is priced right, you need look no further than the Palió. I purchased my Palió from Mark at Cigarmony.com

[croatan]

It's the best cutter I've ever owned or used. I've never had mine break into two. I wonder how common that is?

[Jason Love III]

I still use the $.99 cheapy, but that was an excellent review of a cutter Dr. Fresh.

[Roger Miller"]

Another great review Dr. My Palio has never come apart either, odd that yours has. Perhaps you could take advantage of the warranty.

_____
rm

[carbonbased_al]

Excellent review. Palio still the best cutter i've ever used.

[SIZE="1"]please, an all metal Palio![/SIZE]

[Ivory Tower]

As always, a great review Doc.

[TypeO-]

Another fine review Doc. If I didn't already have three Xikars and a handful of Havana cutters, I'd run out and buy a Palio. Many positive things have been said about the Palio. I just wish they were easier to find at local B&Ms.

[LasciviousXXX]

Originally Posted by carbonbased_al

Excellent review. Palio still the best cutter i've ever used.

[SIZE="1"]please, an all metal Palio![/SIZE]

I'm looking forward to the "Jenna Jameson" model of the Palio Cutter

[carbonbased_al]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

I'm looking forward to the "Jenna Jameson" model of the Palio Cutter

Really? Your not exxxcited by the Peter North model? Marc tells me its twice as big as the standard palio

[LasciviousXXX]

Hey Man, if the Jenna model cuts the cigar where I think it will then I'll buy 2

Bow chiga bow wow!!!

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by croatan

I've never had mine break into two. I wonder how common that is?

Good question... I called the Palió customer support people and they wouldn't give me any information.

Doc

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by Roger Miller"

Another great review Dr. My Palio has never come apart either, odd that yours has. Perhaps you could take advantage of the warranty.
rm

Don't need the warranty since the cutter works fine. I just need to tone down my brute strength.

Doc

[drevim]

Nice review as always, Dr.!!!

I had a problem with the first one I got. One of the blades was unsharpened....only crushed about 6 cigars before my stupid self figured out the problem. I had a replacement within a few days, thanks to Mark at Cigarmony.com. New one is amazing. Couldn't be happier. Of course I probably use it 1/10th the amount I use my havana, but that's just the way is is.

[n2advnture]

Originally Posted by Dr. Stogie Fresh

...The second time I used the cutter, I opened it with a snap and the entire cutter separated into two pieces.....
That pretty much says it all. An excellent product backed by an excellent warranty. If you want a no frills cutter, that cuts perfectly every time and is priced right, you need look no further than the Palió. I purchased my Palió from Mark at Cigarmony.com

David,
WOW! I have been using the Palios for years and have never had this happen (or even heard of it happening).

You can return it to anyone who cares the Palio for an exchange (I looked in the Ca retailers list and don't see anyone close though). Please feel free to send it back and I will replace it asap.

Thanks again for the support bro, I greatly appreciate it.

~Mark

[Brother of the Leaf]

Originally Posted by Dr. Stogie Fresh

PRODUCT: Palió
TYPE: Cigar cutter
WEBSITE: http://www.Paliócutters.com/

SPECIFICATIONS:
Color: Black with surgical steel blades
Length: 3 5/8 inches
Width: 1 5/8 inches
Weight: 1.0 ounce
DATE OF RATING: 3/23/2006
FORM: 87
FUNCTION: 98
VALUE: 96
OVERALL SCORE: 93.6


BACKGROUND: After using this cutter for 75 cuts, I am ready to give my humble opinions about its form, function and value. I have cut large and small cigars, flatheads and perfectos, long cigars, short cigars and various odd shapes. I sacrificed two dogrockets just to cut through the cigars from head to foot, perfecting my technique with this particular cutter and getting a feel for the resistance and cutting performance.

FORM AND FUNCTION: According to the Palió website, this cutter has the following features (Features listed in all caps and my comments after each feature.):

1. ERGONOMIC - FINGER REST AND CONTOUR SHAPE. After using the cutter and trying to hold it different ways to take advantage of the design features, I’ve concluded that there is really no ergonomic advantage to the shape of the cutter. You simply can’t get any advantage in leverage or in control by using the “finger supports” or by virtue of the unique shape of the cutter.

We have found that if the cutter is held in the manner we intended, which is with the middle finger through the finger hole and the ring or index finger resting on the "finger support" it will aid in a more even pressure application in cutting, as well as a more "controlled" cut. In addition, the curvature and smoothness of the finger hole minimizes discomfort in the cutting action, which is the objective of ergonomic design.

2. HANDSOME - PEOPLE WILL ASK ABOUT IT. Well, it looks okay, for a flat black, plastic frame cutter, but I would say it lacks the “pod factor.” Nobody has looked at my cutter and said, “Dude, that is the coolest looking cutter I’ve ever seen.”

While we do feel that the Palió in it's current appearence is unique and "handsome". We are in the midst of making some "aesthetic" changes to the Palió cigar cutter, which we hope will have people saying “Dude, that is the coolest looking cutter I’ve ever seen.” Of the utmost importance to us though is that people always say "dude you got a Palió, man that thing gives the best cut I've experienced". One thing we have tried very hard to educate the public about is that the Palió cigar cutter IS NOT made of plastic. It is composed of a proprietary composite blend, much more durable and flexible than the average "plastic".

3. PRECISION CUT - BLADES AREN'T SLOPPY AND DON'T FALL OUT WITH AGE. The first part of this statement is absolute fact. The cut with this cutter is fantastic. Period. I haven’t used a cutter that has a better cut than the Palió. As for the blades falling out, I have an interesting observation… Because the cutter blade mechanism sticks, so as not to accidentally open, it takes a bit of pressure to open the cutter mechanism. The second time I used the cutter, I opened it with a snap and the entire cutter separated into two pieces. I was left with half the cutter dangling from my thumb and the other half on my index finger. Since then, it has happened twice again, though I have learned how to control the opening so as to avoid this occurrence.

In the manufacturing process early on there were some cutters made which we have found were not assembled in the exact manner they should have been. The tabs that stop the Palió from opening completely were "smashed" and thus could not deliver the full ability they should to keeping the cutter from coming apart. We believe we have addressed this issue and hope to see no more of this in the future, but admittedly sometimes things don't go exactly as planned. To this end we offer our warranty and stand behind it 100%. If this occurrence has happened to any owner of a Palió cigar cutter, it will only continue to happen, so we would implore that customer to take advantage of our warranty and have it replaced.

4. CONTROLLED CUT - BE SURE HOW MUCH OF THE CIGAR'S CAP YOU REMOVE. Yes, there is some resistance in the cutting action that gives the feel of a controlled, precision cut; and there is certainly no problem in lining up and making your cut, which is typically clean and even.

We believe that your review to this point is the effect of our explanation in point #1. If the "finger supports" were not in place you may not have had the experience you mention here.

5. CONTOURED CIGAR HOLDER - NO NEED FOR A COMMUNAL GERM PIT (ASH TRAY). This means that when you lay the cutter flat on a tabletop, you can using it as a cigar holder by putting the cigar in the contoured area of the cutter; a neat trick and it prevents your stogie from inadvertently rolling off the table. Don’t laugh, I KNOW it’s happened to you!

6. DETENT POSITION - WON'T ARBITRARILY OPEN. The cutter may not ARBITRARILY open, but it can ACCIDENTALLY do so. As noted above, I was able to pull the cutter apart by forcefully opening the cutter. I wasn’t trying to pull it apart, it just happened. After that, I decided to test to see if I could dislodge the two halves in any other way. I held on to one end of the cutter and repeatedly shook it (kind of like flicking open a switchblade) and the cutter flew apart in two pieces.

See our comment in #3 above, but please take into to consideration that this is a tool for the preparation of cigars, not a "switch blade", which has the reinforcement to be opened in a "snap" or high velocity motion. Each time it is opened in the manner you describe above, as if it was a switch blade, you are putting way to much "undo" force on the tabs which hold the Palió back from coming apart and this is something you would never "normally" do when using the Palió for the purpose it is intended.

7. LARGE CUTTER OPENING – HANDLES UP TO 54 RING CIGARS. The opening on the Palió is a 53 ring size, if it cuts a 54 ring gauge cigar and thicker, it does so only because the cigar head is tapered. However, I was unable to get it around a 54 ring gauge cigar at its thickest point. Regardless, the Palió cutter is up to the task for the vast majority of cigars.

Our claim is that it will handle "up to" a 54 ring gauge cigar (non-inclusive), but we have consistently cut the cap from 56 ring gauge parejo cigars successfully, as only 1/8" depth is needed for proper cap removal.

8. REMARKABLY SHARPER THAN LEADING CUTTERS. The Palió cutter is indeed very sharp. I could tell this by the ease and fineness of each cut. The blade seemed just as sharp to me throughout the test period. I DID NOT test for sharpness on my FINGERS. DO NOT try this at home!

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS: The cutter comes with a nice looking Velcro-secured pouch, which is handy because the flat black plastic is prone to scratches. At 1.0 ounce, this is one of the lightest double-guillotine cutters I have ever used. Interestingly, with respect to weight, the U.S. Patent documentation indicates that the weight of the device was supposed to be 2.75 ounces, however it’s not close to that. At 2.75 ounces, the cutter would have been the heaviest I own. Perhaps older versions of the cutters were heavier. Further, the patent document indicates that, to make the plastic cutter heavier (to “impart substance”) the body section was designed to include filler material that could include “stainless steel, tungsten, lead, fiberglass, or marble.” Though Palió might have evolved their ideas on the overall weight, the handles definitely do not feel cheap.

We have made recent material changes in the proprietary composite used to manufacture the cutter body resulting in a lower weight, while actually improving upon the Palió cigar cutters durability and flexibility.

This cutter shines in the simplicity of its cutting action. The thin cutter blades are coated with titanium nitride, which make the blades more durable and will help maintain sharpness. The design feature that produces a “bowing” of the blades also causes them to rub together and “self-sharpen” with each stroke of the cutter. Because of the thin blades and tight blade interaction, your cigars are unlikely to be pinched during the cutting process. That has been my experience, the cigars that I have cut have all exhibited a clean cut and I never experienced any blade “sliding” when trimming the cigar cap.

The fact that the cutter can fly apart during extension, I consider to be a product of the design. The angle of the opposing handles and blades, which combine for a precise cut and a bowing of the blades during the cutting phase, can have the opposite effect when opening, placing the guides that hold the two halves together into their weakest positions.

Warranty: You can feel secure in your purchase given Palió’s nearly unlimited warranty. From the Palió website… “If you feel that the Palió cigar cutter you purchased has lost it's ability to deliver a quality cut, assuming it has only been used for it's intended purpose (cigar preparation), at anytime during it's life of use. Simply return it to ANY Palió cigar cutter vendor for a replacement. No questions asked!”

That pretty much says it all. An excellent product backed by an excellent warranty. If you want a no frills cutter, that cuts perfectly every time and is priced right, you need look no further than the Palió. I purchased my Palió from Mark at Cigarmony.com

All in all, Dr. Stogie fresh, a very nice review of our product and we would like to thank you for taking the time to do one. We hope that our responses to some of your observations will educate the public even more about our product. Again, thank you for your efforts.

Brother of the Leaf, LLC