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Cutting
The cigar ritual includes making the cut correctly. This is not of minor
relevance, and its importance is in proportion to the quality of the cigar
at stake.
The size of the cut will affect the taste, combustion and draw of the
cigar: a cut that is too small reduces the draw and provokes an excessive
nicotine concentration; if it is too big, the puff will be too warm and it
will burn too fast.
Cigar lovers believe the best cut is slightly smaller than the total
diameter of the cigar.
Although the cut must be made with determination, it can not be too harsh
since it is the cap that holds the wrapper in place and if you harmed the
cap it would unravel the wrapper, making it impossible to smoke. This is
unlikely to occur, though, since there is a very visible line that marks
the point where the cap is held by.
The type of cut may also vary in accordance to whether the shape of the
cigar is “parejo” or “figurado” (regular or irregular shaped).
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Pocket Cigar cutters (the best ones have diverse diameters and steel
ends in order to make deep cuts) with one or two blades, as well as
cutters with an angular tip (the cigars must be positioned in the same
inclination for the cut to be even), and scissors cutters (they achieve
very clean cuts but require more ability in doing so), provide a
guillotine type cut, which is circular and very precise. By placing the
cigar’s head in the area where the cut will be made, you should be ready
to do so by means of a very precise and fast movement, which shall avoid
the risk of harming the cap.
The V-cutter creates an angular cut of two sides called the v-shaped cut.
A large opening of this type of cut might ensure a better draw, but it
might also result in a puff exceeded in smoke and heat.
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