The Best Cigar Punch Cutters
How to Find the Best Cigar Punch for You
Cigar Punch vs. Cutter
Some cigars need a punch like a hole in the head. It’s true, especially if you prefer a cigar punch over the more popular double blade cigar cutter. It’s not a heated contest, either. I mean, have you ever seen two cigar smokers come to blows over which cigar cutter is best?
It’s not about the straight cut being better than the punch cut and vice versa. Most cigar smokers use the cigar cutting method they like most pretty exclusively. Most also know how to use a punch cutter, so they’re comfortable with both cigar cutter types. It usually depends on the cigar, or more likely, their mood.
A straight cut exposes more surface area at the head. This allows more smoke to flow through the cigar’s head. The purpose of a cigar punch is to cut a recessed hole in the cap, usually about a ¼ of an inch deep or more, depending on the cutter. This concentrates the smoke through the center of the head. If the draw is good in both cases the flavor profile should be pretty similar. However, one advantage to the punch cutter is that the recessed cut helps prevent tiny bits of tobacco from getting into your mouth. That’s also why a punch cutter is excellent for short filler cigars and some mixed filler cigars.
Punch cutters also tend to be lighter and less bulky than other cutters, making them easier to carry around. They’re also easier to lose, which is why so many punch cutters come with a split ring to attach to your keys. Many lighters also include punch cutters as part of their design like this twin torch Vertigo Tron lighter.
How big is a cigar punch?
When it comes to “how big,” or the size of a punch cutter, it mostly about the diameter of the cut. Some may also vary in depth. Seven to nine millimeter blades are about average for most punch cutters, while some have diameters up to 11 and 12 millimeters. A 7mm would be good for most Coronas, Robustos, and Toros, while an 11mm would be better for Gordos and other cigars at 60 ring and higher.
By the way, if you want to convert millimeters to inches, divide the diameter of the cutter by 25.4. A 7mm punch cutter blade will have a diameter of .27 inches, roughly a quarter inch, while the 11mm blade will be .43 inches in diameter, or a little under a half an inch.
Which Punch Cigar Cutter is Right For You?
All punch cutters work the same way: place blade firmly in middle of cap, twist, remove plug. Additionally, most cigar punch cutters are pretty affordable. And when it comes to finding a good punch cutter, here are some of the best of the bunch.
Visol Dunkirk 7mm Punch Cutter
This black and chrome Visol Dunkirk punch cutter has a stainless steel, 7mm blade that retracts at the push of a button for easy plug removal. It also comes with a keychain loop so your cutter will always be close by.
Xikar 10mm Bullet Cigar Punch
From Xikar, the company that revolutionized the cigar cutter, this solidly built Xikar 10mm Bullet punch has some really neat features. With a simple twist, the super-sharp, retractable stainless steel blade can lock-in at two different depths. It also helps lineup your punching point at the center of the cigar’s head. Offered in several brushed metallic finishes, the Xikar 10mm Bullet has a high-quality feel, a premium quality key ring, and comes with Xikar’s limited lifetime warranty.
If it says Zino on it, you can be pretty sure the quality is going to be first-class, like this uber-sharp Zino Z9 punch cutter. Called “the creme de la crème” of cigar punches, the Z9 cutter is so-named by its 9.9mm, one-piece, circular blade. Attractively designed and crafted from the highest grade materials, the Zino Z9 punch cutter is made to last for years. The polished key ring makes it easy to carry, and there’s a space for engraving your name on it.
Here’s another well-made cigar punch from Lotus that features a considerably wider cut than your average punch cutter. At 11mm in diameter, the Lotus Cyclops will appeal to cigar smokers who smoke wide ring cigars, as well as those who’ve gotten bitter tar deposits from using smaller punches. The Cyclops is made with all metal components, includes a key ring attachment and comes with Lotus’s limited lifetime warranty.
Check out this powerful Colibri Quasar II Lighter/Cutter combo with twin jets and a 9mm cigar punch. Offering both elegance and functionality, the single action ignition system provides an intense, pyramid-shaped, precision flame, and the hidden punch cutter deploys with push-button ease. The Quasar lighter also includes an easily adjustable fuel wheel and fuel window. Offered in a variety of colors, the Colibri Quasar II Lighter/Cutter includes a gift box and Colibri’s two-year warranty.
When it comes to cigar punch cutters, it’s all about the size of the cut you need and the design that appeals to you most. Yet like any cigar cutter you buy, make sure it’s quality-made and especially sharp. Of course, you can also make your own punch cutter as yours truly did.