We’re back at it this week with the fifth and final edition of the Making the Cut blog series, where the Cigar World team breaks down the top cigar cutting styles, and answers some common questions around cutting cigars. That way, any and every smoke session you have will always make the cut.

For the last Making the Cut topic, we’re going to delve into a true minimalistic way to cut your cigars: cutting them without a cutter. Enjoy and let us know how you cut a cigar without a cutter in the comments!

Can you cut a cigar without a cutter?

The short answer is yes. But, the scene plays through my head like the latest episode of HOD. You’re out camping or fishing or golfing. The anticipation is peaking. It’s time to smoke your cigar. Then, tragedy strikes, and you realize you don’t have your trusty guillotine cutter or cigar punch.

Deep breath. Don’t fret. ‘Cause there’s a handful of quick and reliable ways on how to cut a cigar without a cutter below.

You can use your teeth.

It may not be the most appetizing avenue, but your teeth are a super efficient way to cut your cigars without a cutter. The big thing to keep in mind is: don’t slobber all over your cigar. Just gently bite down on the cap line until it starts to separate from the body. Once it does, you can fully peel the rest off with your fingers.

You can punch it with something else.

Sometimes you can bring out your inner MacGyver to cut a cigar without a cutter. Just don’t MacGruber it up. When in a pinch, items like a golf tee, a bullet casing, a Phillips-head, heck, even a tack or paperclip. These can all be great ways to cut a cigar without a cutter.

You can use a knife or a sharp object.

If you’re out-and-about and happen to be carrying a pocket knife, hunting knife or any type of blade, you can easily use that to cut your cigar. The key is to not chop down on your cigar. Take the head of your cigar and rotate it on the edge of your blade with some pressure. If you’re worried about damaging the cigar, simply slice an “X” cut into the head.

You can use your thumb.

If literally none of the aforementioned ways of cutting a cigar without a cutter suit your preference, this tried and true method of separating the cap with your thumb should. Gently but firmly press your thumb into the crease in the cap until it starts to separate. Then, remove the rest with your fingers. 

How do you cut a cigar without a cutter? Let us know!

Previous Article: Making the Cut: The Scissor Cigar Cut

We’re back at it this week with the fourth edition of the Making the Cut blog series, where the Cigar World team breaks down the top cigar cutting styles, and answers some common questions around cutting cigars.

Next Article: Making the Cut: Guillotine Cut

We’re back at it this week with the next installment of the Making the Cut blog series, where the Cigar World team breaks down the top cigar cutting styles, and answers some common questions around cutting cigars.

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Comments

  • Member Avatar
    (16 months ago)

    I would like to say I am fancy enough to have a thumb nail that I could use to pop the cap off, but I dont. What I always have in my reach is a razor or a knife, I have even uses a pizza cutter in a pinch.

  • Member Avatar
    (16 months ago)

    Cheap guillotines can be stashed everywhere just in case. Pocketknife is my backup but very rarely.

    • Member Avatar
      (16 months ago)

      Agree

  • Member Avatar
    (16 months ago)

    I'm a SOTL, so I'll wait patiently to smoke a punched or v-cut cigar. No biting for me.

  • Member Avatar
    (16 months ago)

    Bite

  • Member Avatar
    (16 months ago)

    I use a tee on the golf course if I can't find my cutter and a small twig if I'm hiking.

  • Member Avatar
    (16 months ago)

    I always carry a super sharp pocket knife, so I will use that to cut a V.

  • Member Avatar
    (16 months ago)

    Had to use the teeth a time or two.