Today we’ll be taking a look at some of the most expensive cigar cutters in regular production: the Xikar XO, the S.T. Dupont MaxiJet Cutter, and the Lujo Concepts BTX. I’ve been lucky enough to rotate each of these into use over the last year or so, and can happily say that I finally have a clear opinion on each of these cigar cutters. Let’s start with the cutter that’s guaranteed to make a favorable impression at any lounge, the Lujo Concepts BTX.

Lujo Concepts BTX - $249+

Our first cigar cutter is the most expensive cigar accessory (storage options excluded) that I’ve ever bought, although their recent price reduction should come in handy these days. It’s not even sold here on SmallBatchCigar.com, but no cutter matchup would be complete without talking about the Dark Knight of cigar cutlery.

The BTX foregoes traditional designs with frames and buttons. Instead, unnecessary pieces are removed as high-powered magnets guide the blades into place for cutting, locking, and unlocking. The mechanics are also designed to cut slightly different than other cigar cutters, applying horizontal pressure first to alleviate the stress on the shoulder.

I’ve found that this model requires a slower chop than other cutters, likely because of the horizontal action mentioned above. Sometimes I think that it could use a sharpening of the blades, but I’ve tested it and found that they’re plenty sharp. Slow and steady is the path to victory with this particular cigar cutter.

Reasons we like this cigar cutter:

• Placing the BTX by Lujo Concepts on a table at your lounge is like rolling up in the Batmobile.

• There’s just nothing else like it. As an added bonus, you could probably use this as a self-defense weapon in a pinch. Or a finger choppin’ torture device.

• Once you learn how to open it one-handed, you’ll never tire of tossing it to your unsuspecting buddies so you can watch them use two hands like weaklings.

• The sound my BTX makes when it snaps shut is just as satisfying now as it was the first time.

• Lifetime warranty.  30 customizable options.  Made by American badasses.

S.T. Dupont Maxijet Cutter - $150+

Our second cutter embodies everything that you’d expect from S.T. Dupont. Measured amounts of finesse, luxury, and presentation are immediately noticed in this iconic cigar cutter design. Dupont did an excellent job capturing the timeless style that looks like something you would buy from a jeweler.

Simply press the handles on either side of the frame to be met with the smoothest blades on the planet. Seriously. The action on this cutter is as smooth as the Xikar XO is rough, creating a feeling of luxury that isn’t easy to forget.   If you want a cigar cutter to feel like you just spent 150 double cheeseburgers on it, this is the one to buy.

I’ve also wanted this cutter to be sharper, but after turning it in to the nearby S.T. Dupont store and receiving it back without noticing a difference, I realize that I probably have unrealistic expectations.  Those expectations were probably formed by the next cutter in our lineup.  

Reasons we like this cigar cutter:

• There’s no other cutter that slides like this one in the cigar world. #Luxury

• If Lujo’s BTX was the Dark Knight, S.T. Dupont would be the 007 of cigar cutters. These would be quite at home in the MI6 private lounge.

• The lines in this cutter make it extra useful for doubling as a cigar rest when the blades are extended – more so than the other two cutters.

• The S.T. Dupont has the least amount of bulk compared to the XO and BTX.

Xikar XO - $84.99+

Lastly, we come to the least expensive of the bunch and my personal favorite. The Xikar XO isn’t flashy, doesn’t feel like a million bucks, and doesn’t pose as well next to your cigars like the other two cutters. But what it does, it does exceptionally well. It cuts cigars.

The Xikar XO was designed with gears in mind that force the blades to close simultaneously, creating an even cut from start to finish. These gears have large teeth, making the action of the blades feel rough and industrial – the primary reason that I looked to other cigar cutters in the first place after buying this one first.

But even after looking elsewhere for well over a year, I keep coming back to my Xikar XO. I’ve cut at least 300 cigars with it and it’s earned a permanent spot in my travel kit for work. In fact, if I’m reviewing a cigar, I’ll only use the XO since I know it’s guaranteed to remove any surprises from the equation.

Reasons we like this cigar cutter:

• The Xikar XO is the sharpest cutter on the table. Period.

• This cutter starts at almost half the price of the S.T. Dupont and one third of the price of the Lujo BTX (even after the price reduction).

• Lifetime warranty? These guys practically invented the lifetime warranty on cigar gear.

• The industrial build quality of this cutter certainly has its benefits. I’ve seen this cutter dropped more times than I’d like to admit and have never once worried about it.

Tell us! What do you like about your favorite cutter?  What do you dislike in cigar cutters?