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V-Cutter or not to V

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What's your choice, and where can a BOTL get one? My apologies if this has been previously discussed. I'm a newbie. BTW... recent convert to V-Cutters here.
 

BasicTek

I don't smoke cigars often... HaHa just kidding :)
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Check out cigar monster, if they don't have the one you are looking for then check again, if your order exceeds $50 you can use the botlorg and get 17% more off, I've found cutters for almost half other sites. The Xicar VX2 is on there now for 31 (potentially - 17%) I've seen the colibri for $24 (-17%)

You see it right there. Bought a Xikar first...still love their regular cut, but their V cut way too shallow for my liking.
The VX2 is Xicar's answer to colibri cuts just as deep, I still like the slightly smaller (and cheaper) colibri a little more, but just FYI...
 
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I have specific tastes when it comes to cutters. The way I see it, the benefit of using a V-Cutter is to increase surface area of the cut and improve the draw. This really only works on cigars less than, say, mid-40s ring gauge. The lancero is the best vitola for a V-Cut, and I generally won't use one on anything larger. After a certain size, the v-cut will give you less surface area to the cut than a straight cut, and has the same effect as a punch (focusing and concentrating the smoke, and increasing the air pressure of each puff, which raises the temperature and can give you more flavor at the expense of some of the smoothness). From what I've read & been told, the V-Cutter came into prominence around the mid-20th century, when most cigar smokers preferred thin ring gauges. The V-Cut gives you a way to mitigate potential draw problems from thinner vitolas.
As for where to get one, I'd just go anywhere that carries the Colibri or Xikar. I use the Xikar VX2, and it works amazingly. The springs are so strong it feels like it wants to jump out of your hand when you open it. If you don't go with one of those two options, at least look for a reverse v. You want the sides of the blade to contact the cigar before the pointed tip.
 
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It’s all about the V.

I’m using a Palio cutter that came free with some promotional cigar deal. It’s really my only experience with v-cuts but I like it. There is probably better out there.
 
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I used to use a v-cutter almost exclusively. I felt it cut deeper into the head where a lot of plugs can occur for a more consistent draw, plus it left more of the cap intact to better stop the cigar from unraveling. I use mostly a guillotine cutter now, not because I think it’s better, but because I have really nice one, and also because I smoke a lot more tapered head cigars which I don’t like using a v-cut on.

After a certain size, the v-cut will give you less surface area to the cut than a straight cut,
Cut it once. Rotate 90 degrees. Cut again. Voila. Problem solved.
 

Cigary43

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I have at least 7 V cutters...1. Stainless steel that has 2 straight and 2 V cuts
2. Large Boston V cutter
3. Boston V Cutter ( like Guy )
 

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Cigary43

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The other ones are Xikar, Colibri, Dupont, Cuban Crafters.....etc.
The Cats Eye cut is from Boston Cutter...the large one set me back $700 while the Lil Guy was $200 20 years ago and they still work like new. The Lil Guy is copied by a lot of cheap manufacturers out there so don't buy them. The sad news is that Boston Cutters went out of business years ago so guess I've got heirlooms and they are the best....the Stainless steel is well worth the price and works great but you can't carry it around in your pocket.
 
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I have specific tastes when it comes to cutters. The way I see it, the benefit of using a V-Cutter is to increase surface area of the cut and improve the draw. This really only works on cigars less than, say, mid-40s ring gauge. The lancero is the best vitola for a V-Cut, and I generally won't use one on anything larger. After a certain size, the v-cut will give you less surface area to the cut than a straight cut, and has the same effect as a punch (focusing and concentrating the smoke, and increasing the air pressure of each puff, which raises the temperature and can give you more flavor at the expense of some of the smoothness). From what I've read & been told, the V-Cutter came into prominence around the mid-20th century, when most cigar smokers preferred thin ring gauges. The V-Cut gives you a way to mitigate potential draw problems from thinner vitolas.
As for where to get one, I'd just go anywhere that carries the Colibri or Xikar. I use the Xikar VX2, and it works amazingly. The springs are so strong it feels like it wants to jump out of your hand when you open it. If you don't go with one of those two options, at least look for a reverse v. You want the sides of the blade to contact the cigar before the pointed tip.
I have specific tastes when it comes to cutters. The way I see it, the benefit of using a V-Cutter is to increase surface area of the cut and improve the draw. This really only works on cigars less than, say, mid-40s ring gauge. The lancero is the best vitola for a V-Cut, and I generally won't use one on anything larger. After a certain size, the v-cut will give you less surface area to the cut than a straight cut, and has the same effect as a punch (focusing and concentrating the smoke, and increasing the air pressure of each puff, which raises the temperature and can give you more flavor at the expense of some of the smoothness). From what I've read & been told, the V-Cutter came into prominence around the mid-20th century, when most cigar smokers preferred thin ring gauges. The V-Cut gives you a way to mitigate potential draw problems from thinner vitolas.
As for where to get one, I'd just go anywhere that carries the Colibri or Xikar. I use the Xikar VX2, and it works amazingly. The springs are so strong it feels like it wants to jump out of your hand when you open it. If you don't go with one of those two options, at least look for a reverse v. You want the sides of the blade to contact the cigar before the pointed tip.
Amazing details. Thanks a million for taking the time. Peace!✌
 
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I like punches! Im not very good with traditional style cutters. Somehow, no matter what I have like a 70% chance of cracking the cap with them haha. So punches it is!
 
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I love the collibri V. Use mine almost every time I smoke

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Cigary43

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I like punches! Im not very good with traditional style cutters. Somehow, no matter what I have like a 70% chance of cracking the cap with them haha. So punches it is!
Moisten the head first as I've done this for decades... keeps the head from cracking and splitting ...keep the RH in the mid 60's so the tobacco doesn't dry out. When I choose any cigar to smoke I'll keep it in my mouth for a minute...keeps the tip pliable and have not experienced a cracked head since September of 1976....( True story...Farmers )
 

BasicTek

I don't smoke cigars often... HaHa just kidding :)
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The Colibri V and S cutter are both on monster today at $26 ea, you can code them with botlorg and the price drops to $21.56 ea. that's as low as i've seen. It's a good idea to have both, some cigars definitely are better when cut straight, others (my Oliva V box cut) really respond well to the V. It's really a better bet to have both and learn what you like. I was 100 straight cutter until I heard about the V, then 95% v cutter until I bought a quality straight, now I'm about 70% straight, 30% v which I'm sure will vary.

To note when buying from monster you get free shipping on famous, and you can apply that 17% code to anything.
 
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Moisten the head first as I've done this for decades... keeps the head from cracking and splitting ...keep the RH in the mid 60's so the tobacco doesn't dry out. When I choose any cigar to smoke I'll keep it in my mouth for a minute...keeps the tip pliable and have not experienced a cracked head since September of 1976....( True story...Farmers )
I have my humidor at 68% (ends up being 66% at the bottom and 68% at the top.) I think its just a me problem lol. Im not very coordinated, so I have a hard time closing both the sides of the guillotine with the same amount of pressure.
 
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