Perfect cut with my Xikar

[Herf N Turf]

Like most of you, Ive used a lot of cutters, with varying results. One of my favorites is my Xikar, which I got when I was gifted a sampler of Cohiba.

I own and have monkied with several double guillotines, the ones with the holes for your thumb and finger. The Xikar is a horse of a different color, but lends itself to a rather unique cutting technique that I sort of stumbled upon.

I tried the traditional standing method; hold the 'gar in one hand, clip with the other, using some made-up indexing method to clip as shallowly as you can. Then... I started looking at shapes, and... thinking...

Now, for the method.

First, pick a cigar (this is the hardest part!), and lightly moisten the cap.



Open the Xikar cutter and lay it on any flat surface.



Gently press the vertically-held stick (foot up, hehe) inside the opening and onto the flat surface.



Press in on the sides of your Xikar, as you normally would, but leaving it flat on your flat surface. Make the cut and gently dust.

Eureka! The perfect cut, everytime!

[ssutton219]

its how I have used mine for the past 2 yrs and works well!!





Thanks for the walk-through!!!





Shawn

[LookAtBigErn82]

Exactly how I use mine, perfect cut everytime!

[mc2712]

Great looking cut.
If you dont mind, I just got my first Xikar cutter and is that button that releases the cutter suppose to be hard to work?
Thanks

[karmaz00]

i like mine... i should use that method more often

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by mc2712

Great looking cut.
If you dont mind, I just got my first Xikar cutter and is that button that releases the cutter suppose to be hard to work?
Thanks

They can be. The cheaper ones, with the round knob (like the one shown here) seem to be harder to work than the all metal ones with oval knob.

[tx_tuff]

Yeah I think if you read everything that comes with the cutter it talks about using it like that. I have gotten pretty damn good at using mine free hand and just cutting off a paper thin piece of the cap

[mc2712]

Alright thanks guys for the help and info.

[bdw1984]

thats a really good idea... thanks for the insight rg bump 4sure

[AspiringGent]

Good simple technique. It should work on most cigars, but I suspect that torpedo or conversely something with a really flat head will end up with too small (or too large) a hole.

[6clicks]

As per the instructions provided by Xikar I attempted the table method twice and got two similar two angle, not particularly clean cuts, just like when I hold it in my hand and use a quick, firm clip. Perhaps it got past quality control at the factory and isn't as sharp as it should be. The right side blade that controls the release button makes a rough scraping when it closes. It feels like there's sand in the unit. I would be surprised if they're all like that. Anyway, I sent mine back to the mfgr and I'll gladly give it a fair chance when it returns. If not, it's back to my clean cutting $4 double blade until I can get a deal on A Paleo.

[dulow]

Thanks for the tip. Must try and pick up one of those Xikar Cutters.

[TheBigNasty]

Originally Posted by 6clicks

As per the instructions provided by Xikar I attempted the table method twice and got two similar two angle, not particularly clean cuts, just like when I hold it in my hand and use a quick, firm clip. Perhaps it got past quality control at the factory and isn't as sharp as it should be. The right side blade that controls the release button makes a rough scraping when it closes. It feels like there's sand in the unit. I would be surprised if they're all like that. Anyway, I sent mine back to the mfgr and I'll gladly give it a fair chance when it returns. If not, it's back to my clean cutting $4 double blade until I can get a deal on A Paleo.

Glad you sent it back. Sounds like it's defective or just needs a sharpening. No probs yet with my Xikar after 1.5 yrs.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by AspiringGent

Good simple technique. It should work on most cigars, but I suspect that torpedo or conversely something with a really flat head will end up with too small (or too large) a hole.

Youre correct, Sir. I free hand it with pigtails, torps and chilis, since I cant get enough cap with the table method. Works fine for everything else I can think of. I use it for LFD chisels with no issues.

[6clicks]

The reasons I think at least one blade my not be sharp enough are that It simply doesn't feel sharp, and the table method which works great on my cheap 2-blader is really difficult to accomplish. It takes a lot of effort to make the cut. I know it shouldn't be that hard at all.