How To Cut Cigars Properly

If you want to be a classy man, you need to know how to cut cigars properly. Out of all the skills that come with smoking cigars, how to cut cigars properly is certain knowledge that escapes your average cigar enthusiast. However, by acquiring the tools that you need and knowing exactly how to cut cigars properly, you'll elevate your status to be a true cigar aficionado.

To learn how to cut cigars properly, you're going to need:

• A cigar cutter. (The guillotine design works best, but a sharp pair of scissors or a pen knife will also suffice)

1. Identify the area which you need to cut. This is at the head of the cigar, which is where you're supposed to be putting your mouth and is thus covered. At the top, there is a small glued portion of tobacco known as the cap. It is distinguished by a clear line, and is thus the most crucial part of knowing how to cut cigars properly.
2. Cut just below the cap, about 3 to 4 mm. If you're using a knife or scissors, you should do this in one quick movement to avoid cutting the paper. If you're using a guillotine, simply insert the cigar into the hole and press down firmly. You should leave enough room on the cap so that you can evince a proper amount of flavor without cutting too much of the cigar off. In the end, you only need to cut off enough so that the filter is visible.
3. Avoid simply tearing or biting the cap off. While this may look bad-ass, this will do nothing but ruin your cigar experience. Save those tricks for the movies, where they can afford to throw away quality cigars without a twitch of the eyebrows. Nobody will think less of you for using a proper cutting instrument. 

While it might not sound so, knowing how to cut cigars properly is one of the most difficult parts of enjoying them. However, learning how to cut cigars properly is much like riding  a bike, in that once you know how to do it, you'll never forget. Always remember to enjoy these fine pleasures in moderation and, above all else, please be careful when handling the sharp blades.