Clipping Torpedoes

[kurly]

Hey folks,

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I don't remember seeing it (and couldn't find anything relevant on the search).

I've never really thought about it, but today when I was in the local B+M, picking up frozen lunches and a stogie (Thomas Hinds Nicaraguan Selection Torpedo Maduro) I used their cutter to snip the end as I often do when I'm out of the home. Torpedoes aren't new to me, but I became hesitant as the shopkeeper was staring my technique down.

As I was lining it up, I thought to myself, I've never seen anyone else clip a torpedo before. I know how to cut through normal caps, but I've never paid attention to what anyone else does when they encounter a torpedo.

Would someone weigh in explaining where to cut, or is it done differently on a cigar-by-cigar/smoker-by-smoker basis.

[boonedoggle]

Personal preference. If I clip mine too high I'll know it because I won't get a solid draw. Simple fix, I cut a little lower until I'm happy with the draw. Be conservative at first...I'd say 1/2 inch from tip for starters.

[[OT] Loki]

clip it how you like it....I'm a v-cut man myself

[croatan]

Unlike cutting a parejo, where you can just shave the cap off, when cutting a torpedo, you have to cut some of the tobacco. I usually cut around an 1/8th-3/16hths of an inch off and may go back for more if it doesn't draw well.

Some people cut their torps at an angle under the theory that it will direct smoke toward the roof of the mouth. I've tried it but it doesn't do anything extra for me and has led to too loose of a draw on a couple of occasions.

[Cheeto]

I always felt the point of a torpedo was to focus the smoke down to a point with a smaller ring gauge than the foot. So as long the head is still smaller than the foot after you cut it, I would think you did it right.

[Alt]

Yeah I would be conservative, when cutting a torpedo, you can always cut more but you can't just go back and time and cut less.

[billybarue]

Originally Posted by Cheeto

I always felt the point of a torpedo was to focus the smoke down to a point with a smaller ring gauge than the foot. So as long the head is still smaller than the foot after you cut it, I would think you did it right.

Totally agree!!! Otherwise why pay for the extra money that Torpedos cost. If you are gonna cut it too deep it will just look/smoke like a parejo so than just spend less money and buy a parejo.

One thing I do when smoking torpedos is to cut them at an angle (its called a "Dickman Cut"). Cutting on an angle, gives you slightly more surface area on your cut. On a torpedo you can get a little more surface area and it allows you to preserve the torpedo shape withuot cutting as deep to try and get a good draw. You can use a "dickman" cut on parejos as well, but there is plenty of surface area already on them with a straight cut.

JMO,

BillyBarue

[chibnkr]

For torpedos, in general, about a quarter to half inch (I take the incremental approach as well - can always cut more, can't put it back together). On Cuabas / perfectos, I generally cut on an "angle" to increase the draw surface area as the head of the cigar is often quite thin.

[thunderbucks]

I say this because I just grabbed a near-by ruler to compare, but I usually go with 3/8 or so...rarely greater than 1/2 inch.

[Teninx]

Never beyond the shoulder. I usually try halfway between the tip and the shoulder.

[tuneman07]

I have always thought of torpedos as kind of an adjustable draw feature. I personally like a slightly looser than medium draw with a touch of resistance. Every cigar is different. For instance RP vintage torpedos IMO tend to be a bit tight and I cut pretty far up for a wider hole. Just my noob but it seems to loosen up the draw.

[rutkus]

I cut mine at an angle, more surface area for the smoke to go through and you still keep the integrity of the shape while smoking

[Jacob Lima]

Check out this video on the CA website it explains how to cut pretty much everything. http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar...,4696,,00.html

[Stonato~]

Originally Posted by kurly

I've never really thought about it, but today when I was in the local B+M, picking up frozen lunches and a stogie

Rubbing my crystal ball.............................................. .................................................. .................................................. ......Got it! You were in the Holy Smokes at Fortinos on Hwy 7?

[mels95yj]

I read somewhere (I think here) that you should cut 75% of the width of the cigar off. This should leave enough of the cap on to keep it from unraveling. For instance, if the cigar was 1" across, the opening should be 3/4". That's what I do, and it's worked for me on all RG's. Just my

Mel