While we have covered the most common ways to cut a cigar, one that we left out was the rising star — the X cut. Also called a star cut, I’m seeing this more and more throughout the cigar community and it warrants a quick discussion. Before we begin, you should know that an X cut is really just made with a V cutter. You cut the head of the cigar back to back creating a sort of criss-cross pattern.
Why not just do a standard V cut?
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
V cuts are a solid middle ground between straight cuts — guillotine cuts — and punch cuts. The surface area of the hole you make with a V cutter is much bigger than something you’d create using a punch. Therefore, the draw tends to be more loose and open, which is great if that’s what you prefer. But it’s not quite as open as a straight cut, which means the smoke and flavor are converging on that smaller area as you puff or draw.
With certain cigars, a V cut can make the experience more intense. That’s thanks to the more concentrated draw. Some people who use V cuts also claim their cigars tend to burn better. The only reason I’m not confirming that as true or false is that I don’t generally use V cuts on my cigars.
For an X cut or star cut, you simply cut the head of the cigar twice, turning it 90 degrees or so before making the second cut. To make that a bit more clear, you use the V cutter as normal to cut. Then you turn the cigar 90 degrees and make another V cut perpendicular to the first.
You’ll immediately notice the deep X-looking pattern cut into the head of your cigar. This results in concentrated and intense smoke, like the standard V cut, with a greater surface area to draw the smoke. It works best on large ring gauge cigars that a standard V cut may not be ideal for, as well as cigars that tend to have a tight, stubborn cold draw.
You definitely don’t want to use an X cut on a loosely rolled or poorly crafted cigar, it will fall apart. But then again, you don’t want to be smoking those anyway — the experience is less than stellar.
Why don’t you cut your cigar like [insert method]?
There are many ways to enjoy a cigar, including several different ways to cut it and open up the draw. Just like choosing the perfect cigar, it’s all about preference. I prefer to cut my cigars with a straight cut because I love an open, fulfilling smoke draw. But there are valid reasons why people don’t like this type of cut or the cutters that you’d need. If you’re using a dull blade, for example, the guillotine or straight cutters can easily damage the head of the cigar, crushing it rather than chopping. It’s also fairly easy for inexperienced cigar smokers to cut too much off during a straight cut.
There’s always the point that people prefer the other experiences the different cuts offer, like the V cut. They may find their smoking sessions more enjoyable or flavorful, or more intense or less so. It’s all about how you like to enjoy your cigars.
In the end, there’s no right or wrong way to cut your cigars, as long as you’re not damaging them in the process. If you enjoy using an X cut or double V cut, by all means, go right ahead.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
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