Cigarfest 2014 Cutter and Other Advice

[jcolan1]

Hey guys. I'm in the market for a new lighter or cutter and wanted to get a few opinions. I currently use this Cigarfest 2014 cutter I got from CigarInt with a purchase a while back. Does anybody know anything about this cutter? The description on CI says the cutter is "out of the Xikar Product Design Studio," but I'm curious to how the quality would compare to ther other Xikar cutters out there. I imagine its just another cheap cutter. Also, does anyone have any input on the Colibri Cut cutters? I am considering picking one of them up since they are a little cheaper than the Xikar cutters, and maybe scooping a Xikar Allume lighter along with it.

To summarize the debate I'm having with myself - Do pick up the Colibri cutter and possibly get the Xikar Allume, keep the cutter I have and just get the Allume, or and look into getting a Xikar Xi(?) cutter and skip the lighter?

Hopefully this all makes sense. Thanks for the input.

Edit: Here is a link to the actual cutter I currently have
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/mobile/cutters/81891/cigarfest-2014-xi4-cutter/

 

[ChefBoyRG54]

I think most will jump in on cutters saying either xikar xi or palio. I personally have xi3 and love it.

For lighters I use a double flame xikar that is pissing me off so I cant recommend anything

 

[atbat82]

I bought a xikar V cutter a few weeks ago and love it! Can't say enough good things about.

For lighters I have a xikar element (I think) dual flame and it's been going strong for a bit over a year. I also picked up an IM Corona Double Corona for when I smoke inside (rarely). Real nice lighter, but useless in the wind.

 

[marshall9779]

I have a Xikar Xi 2 and a Colibri Cigarfest cutter. I got the Colibri for the Undercrown logo. It cuts okay but the Xikar is way better. Can't speak for the Allume lighter but I have a Xikar Element and like it. Just need to get some better fuel in it.

 

[problemsolverjc]

I have a Xikar X2 cutter and love it. I also have a resource lighter for my pipe, a Vitara double flame and a single flame tech. Love them all.

Can't beat the warranty!!! Don't forget that our BOTL code (BOTLORG) works for 15% off accessories at Famous too....

 

[dscl]

I have, and like, many Xikar products. It's the warranty that does it. Every lighter I have had from them fails, but the fact that they will always replace it is why I keep going back. As for cutters though you couldn't pay me to switch away from my Palio cutter.

 

[mdwest]

nothing wrong with the XiKar XI4... I prefer my Xi2 and Xi3.. but if youre looking for something of quality.. I'd recommend picking another Xi4 if you liked the last one.. rather than going for the the Colibri Cut...

Dont get me wrong.. for the price, the Colibri Cut is a decent cutter.. I own several that I have picked up as freebies in sampler deals, etc.. you can occasionally get them for under $10 on the devil site.. which makes them a great bargain (IMO)..

but.. my experience is that XiKar stays sharper longer.. provides a cleaner cut.. and the spring mechanism in their cutters is far superior (the colibri's end up sticking or failing all together over time).. XiKar's warranty is also about as good as it gets..

my colibri cutters are what I keep in the glove box of the truck.. travel with... etc.. I consider them expendable.. if I loose one.. or it gets stolen.. or broken.. no big deal....

At home.. I have a palio.. and a couple of XiKars.. that are preferred..

Lighters/torches, like everything else in the cigar world.. is really about preference.... I will say that a $4 ronson will do just about everything that a $200+ dupont will.. and do it just as well.. but.. some prefer the aesthetics.. or the ergo dynamics.. or just the cool factor associated with the "nicer" lighter.. and can justify the cost..

Its really all about what YOU want.. and what YOU value.. any lighter of quality manufacture will get the job done (stay away from colibri torches IMO.. they are NOT quality!).... the question is what is important to you? large tank? adjustable flame? good looking? works at altitude (love the XiKar Stratosphere for this!)? etc..etc.. and what are you willing to pay for it?

One of my favorite torches I've owned was a free dual flame no name torch that came in a sampler pack I bought a couple of years ago.. It lasted about a year and died... no big deal.. it was a freebie.. just reached in the accessory box and pulled out another torch for daily use..

My current favorite is an evertorch http://www.amazon.com/Evertech-M0131L-EverTorch-Lighter/dp/B001O1YGGI ... reasonably priced.. and offers both a soft flame.. and a torch.. has a big tank on it.. and is super reliable.. (javajunkie turned me on to these.. thanks java! been my daily use lighter for over 6 months now!)...

 

[StogieNinja]

If the cutter is working and feels good, why would you replace it? On the other hand, if it's giving you problems, obviously the answer is get a new cutter.

As for Colibiri.... just no. I have nothing against them, but most users report eventual falling apart or dulling, and it ain't much more for a Xikar on Cbid, and the Xikars have a lifetime warranty that's actually easy to use. Everyone carries them and nearly every retailer will allow you to swap. They're also extremely responsive via e-mail if it's easier for you mail, like it is for me.

Palio I've had problems with. Finding a place to replace them out here is tough, and they often don't answer their emails, even after multiple attempts. Do a search and you'll find other guys around here reporting the same problem. I've also now had two of them with blades that had a small burr and after a couple cuts the blades nicked themselves, rendering the thing unusable. Never ever had a problem like that with a Xikar.


My recommendation is keep your cutter, get the Allume, and replace the cutter when it gets dull or gives you problems. If it ain't broke...

 

[dscl]

My current favorite is an evertorch http://www.amazon.com/Evertech-M0131L-EverTorch-Lighter/dp/B001O1YGGI ... reasonably priced.. and offers both a soft flame.. and a torch.. has a big tank on it.. and is super reliable.. (javajunkie turned me on to these.. thanks java! been my daily use lighter for over 6 months now!)...

That's a nice looking lighter - searching for those on google is a pain in the ass though. Would love to find one in a different color pattern/scheme.

 

[jcolan1]

Thanks for all the input, fellas. At this point, the Colibri is out. Now it just do I stick with my current cutter, or pick up a new one. I feel like the cutter I have now is not cutting as cleanly as I expect the Xi2/3 or Palio do. Maybe its all mental since its a $12 cutter I got for free. Along with being sharper, I imagine the blades on these other cutters sit closer together, giving a smoother cut (I could be totally wrong; I just remember looking at my cutter and thinking the blades could be a bit closer without catching each other).

Right now I'm leaning towards a Xi2 or Xi3. @marshall9779 - when I bring the fam over for a Skins game, I might have to take a look at your cutter if I haven't pulled the trigger by then.

 

[sofc]

Palio and Dupont for me hands down.

 

[Catawbamatt]

This is all you need right here...cheap little $3 bullet cutter keychain. Perfect everytime

 

[MJM]

The best cutter I have ever used is my dupont. Best cut ever. I have bad luck with lighters so no suggestion there. Hopefully that changes when my padron dupont shows up.

 

[broadleaf]

Yeah, Colibri is horrible crushes my cigars more than anything else. I've found if you rotate the cigar it will cut the cap pretty well. The perfect cut double guillotine cutters are nice as a cheaper option. But currently I have just gotten to the point were I need to get a Xi3. Xikar gets my vote, if your going to spend a lot of money on sticks it only makes sense to have equal quality in gear. I cannot give an opinion on dupont I have not tried their cutters.
As for lighters, ebay has good double torches from "honest lighters", my go to is a triple torch from CI. But the Honest double torch did its job for two years before it broke and I got another. Those go for around ten bucks.

-Brother Broadleaf

 

[ENV]

Xikar or Palio for cutters.

I had a lighter that I got for free and it wasnt working well. I switched to good lighter fluid and now it runs flawlessly every damn time. I cant believe the difference between the ronson lighter fluid and the blazer triple refined stuff.

 

[jrtaster]

As others have suggested keep your freebee cutter for as long as you feel it works.
My most frequent choice is a V-cut, and my Xikar model gets the most use. Otherwise
the Cuban Crafters "perfect" cutter, at under $ 20, is much preferred over the far
more expensive Palio, at least for me.
Lighters are a crap shoot, IMO; for pipes I felt the Corona Old Boy was terrific but I cannot
choose from amongst all the other brands/models of cigar lighters tried. To me lifetime warranties
mean little if a given lighter is a plain ol' turkey; repairing/replacing a poorly performing lighter
time after time just seems so foolish. I'm happy to keep and fill with good butane fuel the cheap
Ronson (actually a couple scattered about for convenience).

p.s.
When and if the mood strikes me, and the credit card allows, I may just decide to treat myself to a
Corona cigar lighter with FLINT ignition; they can be had at Mars Pipes/Cigars for ~ $ 150, a bit
much, but if the quality/performance/durability match the Old Boys, a choice which will outlast
me.

 

[Trackmyer]

I've used cheap cutters and free with purchase types for a long time. Though they cut fairly good when new, they dull quick, and start tearing the cut. Since switching over to Xikar cutters, I love the way they cut. Free lifetime sharpening, though I dont know when I will need this. The blades are extremely strong and sharp. And for me the hand feel sells it more than anything else. As a fella who works with tools for a living, I can feel quality. Its like picking up a cheap Chinese 3/8" drive ratchet then a Snap On ratchet. You can tell by the feel. Ive felt the Palio and honestly it feels like a cheap plastic toy. I know TONS of folks swear by them, but for me I'll stick with Xikar.

For your flame, I think every smoker should have all three types. Wooden matches, soft flame, and a torch. Use each as surroundings dictate. But then again, Im pretty geeked out with my tobacco smoking, so I like what I like.

 

[Fia]

You should check out the new Xikar M8 cutter. It's the metal version of the X8 cutter. Nice heft and sharp as hell.

 

[cocker_dude]

I've been using the cuban crafters perfect cutter for almost a year and it still cuts like the day I got it. Lifetime warranty just like the xikar as well.

 

[DanLAXX1]

I've been using the cuban crafters perfect cutter for almost a year and it still cuts like the day I got it. Lifetime warranty just like the xikar as well.

I'm a fan of the Perfect Cutter as well. I used to use the M8, which I loved, but was instantly converted the first time I used the Cuban Crafters. Quality materials, nice heft and seamless cutting action. Best of all, it's a lot cheaper than a Xikar!