How to Cut a Cigar With a Knife

A cigar's cap can be cut with a knife--if you know how.

Cutting a cigar with a knife can take some practice and skill. Unlike precise cigar-cutting instruments like guillotine cutters or scissors, a knife uses a single blade to remove the cigar's end or cap. Using a knife can also take more hand dexterity. Cutting a cigar inefficiently can cause the wrapper to come apart and lose tobacco. This may ruin the cigar. Cutting a cigar with a knife should be performed with caution to avoid injury to the cigar and yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Knife

Instructions

1. Hold a knife with one hand and a cigar with the other. Hold the knife so it is parallel to the floor and the blade is facing toward you. The length of the cigar should be perpendicular to the floor with the cap facing up.

2. Place the knife on or near the cap of the cigar where you would like to make the cut.

3. Turn the cigar against the blade of the knife for one complete rotation. Make sure the knife and cigar are very steady. The thumb of the hand holding the knife may be used for stabilization near the side of the cigar. Use caution to avoid cutting yourself.

4. Remove any rough edges by continuing to rotate the cigar against the knife blade.

Tips & Warnings

• On most cigars, make the knife cut about two millimeters from the end. You can also make your cut on the shoulder--the place where the curved end of the cigar starts to straighten out.

• Having a sharp knife will make the cutting process easier.

References

• Cigarsmokers: Your First Cigar
• Cigar Aficionado: Cigars 101: Cutting and Lighting
• Best Cigar Blog: Cigar 101: Top 3 Ways to Cut a Cigar without a Cutter