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Rip

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So today is a tragic day 😢 my cutter broke. I've had the ol girl for 3 years. Not sure on the brand. Figure it's time for a new one. What are the good ones I should get? Any help is appreciated
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1375552906.199221.jpg here she is 😩
 
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Love my Xikar. Can't go wrong with either that or palio

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2 because, you know, I love Tapatalk 2.
 

StogieNinja

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Test a Palio and a Xikar. See which one feels better in your hand, both are top-both cutters.

Also, if you way something inexpensive, check out the Cuban Crafters perfect cutter. I think your old one is one of theirs.
 
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Xikar for me,

Disappointed with the build quality and cut on the Palio...

Also as the xikar is spring loaded, the slight resistance when cutting gives more control.

Also the Palio is a very thick cutter, I think this is very unnecessary but the thickness was added so the cutter can be used as a cigar rest which for me is completely pointless. This extra thickness makes it very difficult to gauge where the cut should be on smaller cigars.

100% of the cigars I smoke are cuban, but because I live in Ireland I am restricted to smoking small cigars in the winter months, half coronas or smaller is the norm, because of this I need a very precise but versatile cutter, not to mention hella sharp.

Xikar xi series ticks all the boxes, I own two of them. And I will be placing an order for an x8 next month.

If your cutting cigars with a ring gauge of 48+ the Palio should serve you ok, but cleanliness of cut is extremely important remember.

Just my two cents
 

Jfire

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Xikar for me,

Disappointed with the build quality and cut on the Palio...

Also as the xikar is spring loaded, the slight resistance when cutting gives more control.

Also the Palio is a very thick cutter, I think this is very unnecessary but the thickness was added so the cutter can be used as a cigar rest which for me is completely pointless. This extra thickness makes it very difficult to gauge where the cut should be on smaller cigars.

100% of the cigars I smoke are cuban, but because I live in Ireland I am restricted to smoking small cigars in the winter months, half coronas or smaller is the norm, because of this I need a very precise but versatile cutter, not to mention hella sharp.

Xikar xi series ticks all the boxes, I own two of them. And I will be placing an order for an x8 next month.

If your cutting cigars with a ring gauge of 48+ the Palio should serve you ok, but cleanliness of cut is extremely important remember.

Just my two cents
I've cut well over a thousand cigars with my Palio and have the exact opposite opinion of its build and sharpness of cut. Curious do you own both xikars and Palios? Your one if the only people Ive heard here say Palios are not very sharp and not accurate....
 
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Xikar for me,

Disappointed with the build quality and cut on the Palio...

Also as the xikar is spring loaded, the slight resistance when cutting gives more control.

Also the Palio is a very thick cutter, I think this is very unnecessary but the thickness was added so the cutter can be used as a cigar rest which for me is completely pointless. This extra thickness makes it very difficult to gauge where the cut should be on smaller cigars.

100% of the cigars I smoke are cuban, but because I live in Ireland I am restricted to smoking small cigars in the winter months, half coronas or smaller is the norm, because of this I need a very precise but versatile cutter, not to mention hella sharp.

Xikar xi series ticks all the boxes, I own two of them. And I will be placing an order for an x8 next month.

If your cutting cigars with a ring gauge of 48+ the Palio should serve you ok, but cleanliness of cut is extremely important remember.

Just my two cents
I've cut well over a thousand cigars with my Palio and have the exact opposite opinion of its build and sharpness of cut. Curious do you own both xikars and Palios? Your one if the only people Ive heard here say Palios are not very sharp and not accurate....
I have the carbon fibre palio as well as the xikar xi1 and xi2, as mentioned above i intend on buying the xikar x8 shortly. I have cut the same if not more than 1000 cigars using all 3 models.

I know palio has quite the loyal following, but they are just not for me. I am also very skeptical about the claims that its made of a 'composite material' as the carbon fibre one i have is just poorly finished printed plastic.

And as i said above theres the thing about the thickness. A xikar xi1 has a spring loaded and locking mechanism which it manages to fit into a smaller profile than the palio, this for me is a huge plus. One of the smallest cuban cigars is the el rey del mundo demi tasse, which some would call a cigarillo with a cap. A palio cannot cut them. Sinple as. The precision and sharpness of the xikar can.

Please take my above comments with a pinch of salt as all they are is opinions. I am not here to stir the pot or cause upset. Im just being honest.

Stevie
 
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Xikar for me,

Disappointed with the build quality and cut on the Palio...

Also as the xikar is spring loaded, the slight resistance when cutting gives more control.

Also the Palio is a very thick cutter, I think this is very unnecessary but the thickness was added so the cutter can be used as a cigar rest which for me is completely pointless. This extra thickness makes it very difficult to gauge where the cut should be on smaller cigars.

100% of the cigars I smoke are cuban, but because I live in Ireland I am restricted to smoking small cigars in the winter months, half coronas or smaller is the norm, because of this I need a very precise but versatile cutter, not to mention hella sharp.

Xikar xi series ticks all the boxes, I own two of them. And I will be placing an order for an x8 next month.

If your cutting cigars with a ring gauge of 48+ the Palio should serve you ok, but cleanliness of cut is extremely important remember.

Just my two cents
I've cut well over a thousand cigars with my Palio and have the exact opposite opinion of its build and sharpness of cut. Curious do you own both xikars and Palios? Your one if the only people Ive heard here say Palios are not very sharp and not accurate....
I have the carbon fibre palio as well as the xikar xi1 and xi2, as mentioned above i intend on buying the xikar x8 shortly. I have cut the same if not more than 1000 cigars using all 3 models.

I know palio has quite the loyal following, but they are just not for me. I am also very skeptical about the claims that its made of a 'composite material' as the carbon fibre one i have is just poorly finished printed plastic.

And as i said above theres the thing about the thickness. A xikar xi1 has a spring loaded and locking mechanism which it manages to fit into a smaller profile than the palio, this for me is a huge plus. One of the smallest cuban cigars is the el rey del mundo demi tasse, which some would call a cigarillo with a cap. A palio cannot cut them. Sinple as. The precision and sharpness of the xikar can.

Please take my above comments with a pinch of salt as all they are is opinions. I am not here to stir the pot or cause upset. Im just being honest.

Stevie
Sounds to me like you have purchased a fake cutter. The Palio carbon model is NOT painted plastic. I absolutely love the cut I get from my Palio. Smoke what you want and cut it with what you want. Hell, light it with what you want add well.
 
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Xikar for me,

Disappointed with the build quality and cut on the Palio...

Also as the xikar is spring loaded, the slight resistance when cutting gives more control.

Also the Palio is a very thick cutter, I think this is very unnecessary but the thickness was added so the cutter can be used as a cigar rest which for me is completely pointless. This extra thickness makes it very difficult to gauge where the cut should be on smaller cigars.

100% of the cigars I smoke are cuban, but because I live in Ireland I am restricted to smoking small cigars in the winter months, half coronas or smaller is the norm, because of this I need a very precise but versatile cutter, not to mention hella sharp.

Xikar xi series ticks all the boxes, I own two of them. And I will be placing an order for an x8 next month.

If your cutting cigars with a ring gauge of 48+ the Palio should serve you ok, but cleanliness of cut is extremely important remember.

Just my two cents
I've cut well over a thousand cigars with my Palio and have the exact opposite opinion of its build and sharpness of cut. Curious do you own both xikars and Palios? Your one if the only people Ive heard here say Palios are not very sharp and not accurate....
I have the carbon fibre palio as well as the xikar xi1 and xi2, as mentioned above i intend on buying the xikar x8 shortly. I have cut the same if not more than 1000 cigars using all 3 models.

I know palio has quite the loyal following, but they are just not for me. I am also very skeptical about the claims that its made of a 'composite material' as the carbon fibre one i have is just poorly finished printed plastic.

And as i said above theres the thing about the thickness. A xikar xi1 has a spring loaded and locking mechanism which it manages to fit into a smaller profile than the palio, this for me is a huge plus. One of the smallest cuban cigars is the el rey del mundo demi tasse, which some would call a cigarillo with a cap. A palio cannot cut them. Sinple as. The precision and sharpness of the xikar can.

Please take my above comments with a pinch of salt as all they are is opinions. I am not here to stir the pot or cause upset. Im just being honest.

Stevie
Sounds to me like you have purchased a fake cutter. The Palio carbon model is NOT painted plastic. I absolutely love the cut I get from my Palio. Smoke what you want and cut it with what you want. Hell, light it with what you want add well.
Actually, the palio carbon as well as the camo and burl are a type of applique that covers the standard poly cutter... they've been using the carbon applique in cars and dash kits for years... If it was genuine carbon it would not look that nice, as it would need to be made of prepreg dry carbon, and it would cost 4 times as much...

Regarding the composite claim, what did you think polymer was? It's a composite of poly materials. Saying plastic is misleading. It's not the same material as a plastic water bottle or other brittle plastics. Same terminology goes in the gun world. People constantly call Glock and other poly manufacturers plastic, but in reality there is a lot more science behind the polymer blend...

Just some things to consider, certainly not the best cutter for everyone, but I've had nothing but success with mine. I don't own a Xikar personally, but I may end up with a xi sooner or later as I love customizing things and would dig some custom handles...
 
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I can guarantee you that my Palio is not a fake.

It came with the leather pouch and warranty card with signature of the assembler and I bought it from probably the most reputable cigar vendor in the UK.

It disappoints me that you would jump to such a conclusion. I am not in the business of buying fake merchandise and its sad that a simple expression of opinion would lead you make that assumption.

I am in no way under the impression that the carbon fibre Palio is made of actual carbon fibre and I never was. What I am simply saying is that the material the veneer is printed on is said to be made of a composite material which I cannot get on board with. To me it's simple black heat moulded plastic.
 
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Stukibuilt I am just seeing your post and you do indeed make a very valid point.

In relation to the material the cutter is made of I would personally hedge my bets that it is a rigid plastic rather than a sophisticated polymer material.

When I recieved my Palio I was concerned at the amount of flashing along the rails (flashing is excess plastic left after heat moulding) and I contacted Palio who told me this was the norm and that continued use would dissipate it.

Your comments about polymer qualities leads me to believe you know a thing or two and if that was the case then you would know flashing shouldn't happen in engineered polymer castings

May I repeat I'm not here to stir the pot, this is simply a democratic voicing of opinion.
 
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Stukibuilt I am just seeing your post and you do indeed make a very valid point.

In relation to the material the cutter is made of I would personally hedge my bets that it is a rigid plastic rather than a sophisticated polymer material.

When I recieved my Palio I was concerned at the amount of flashing along the rails (flashing is excess plastic left after heat moulding) and I contacted Palio who told me this was the norm and that continued use would dissipate it.

Your comments about polymer qualities leads me to believe you know a thing or two and if that was the case then you would know flashing shouldn't happen in engineered polymer castings

May I repeat I'm not here to stir the pot, this is simply a democratic voicing of opinion.
The flashing you see is present on my cutter as well (and every one I've seen), and I agree that it is not as I would prefer it to be. I've considered honing it myself and coating it just to make it a bit nicer, but then I remember it's a relatively inexpensive tool and let it go... If they offered a hand finished model I imagine they would look much nicer, but then the cost would undoubtedly increase. I've never seen the tooling they use in manufacturing, but based on where the flashing is I wonder if they aren't molded in sheets or connected rows and that is what the material they are removing is due to. Just speculation on my part.

I'm also not saying the poly blend they use is anything super sophisticated, but based on the wear and ability to repeatedly disassemble it without having galling or cracking of the material tells me it's more than just bottle grade recycled plastic. It also seems to put up with heat pretty well. I consider it a workhorse, not overly refined, but it does a great job. Again, it reminds me of a Glock pistol in that regard. With regards to cutting depth, I usually just open it slightly based on the RG of the stick. Never over-cut a stick with it yet. Could it be better? Sure, but it's also not a 90+ dollar cutter and I got to spend that extra 50 bucks on some great sticks... Ha!

You are more than welcome to voice your opinion, and I didn't think your comments were malicious. This is an open forum and everyone has an opinion. That doesn't mean there aren't some people who will disagree and get defensive though, and that's their right as well. As long as you're happy with your cut, it doesn't much matter how you got there. :cbig:
 
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your very right stukibuilt and I'm glad you see where I'm coming from.

Strangely enough based on this thread I decided on fire up a 2009 Ramon Allones specially selected which im smoking now and cut it with the Palio.

I still think it could be better but as you said most folks should use what suits them, that's something I can definitely agree on.

To the original poster, I hope he gets sorted with something suitable and that it serves him well.

On a completely unrelated topic: anybody want to buy a Palio?

Just kidding lol.

Thanks.

Stevie
 
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