Happy Tuesday, folks!  

I wanted to write a discussion post yesterday, but it just didn’t feel right given the somber reflections of Memorial Day.  Today, however, I’ve switched gears and am ready to talk about a moment that most of us have had: 

What’s your go-to way to cut your cigar when you realize you don’t have a cutter? 

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This actually happened to me very recently, when I realized I had time to smoke a cigar, a cigar shop en route to my destination, and none of my usual tools in hand.  I lucked out last week and picked up a cheap $10 lighter with a punch attachment, but I’ve been S.O.L. plenty of times in the past. 

Here’s what I’ve personally used to great effect without damaging the cap or ruining the cigar: 

•      Fingernails (and I barely have any)
•      Carpenter’s nail
•      Sharp knife
•      Teeth
•      Car keys
•      Sharp rock 
•      Beer bottle cap 

The goal with each of these is to remove as little of the cap as possible, and most of the time I end up scrapping a punch-sized hole or shallow v-cut in the cap.  Even when using teeth, I found out a long time ago that I suck at biting caps off, and instead opt to use my incisor to remove just enough for smoking. 

But you know what the ultimate no-nonsense way to cut your cigar is when you’ve left your cutter at home? The you-don’t-even-need-to-cut-your-cigar method! 

Seriously though, this works.  I just lit up my Campesino for the evening this way to show you that with enough will power and lack of inhibition, you can do just about anything in the cigar world. 

Here’s a few pics: 

No cuts to the cap

Just lit the cap itself, working my torch from the outside to the inside.  

It should be noted, however, that this method isn’t without some downfalls.  Firstly, I’d only recommend it if you already smoke your cigar without slobbering on it.  Along the same lines, I’d advise chewers to stay well away from this sort of thing!

There are some other concerns such as the band removal process, but as long as you’re waiting until the heat from the cigar loosens the glue on the band, I don’t think it’ll be an issue.  The big whoopsie is that – you guessed it – you’re smoking the cigar backwards!  It isn’t the blenders intent, and sometimes it fails as an overall experience.  Sometimes, though, it actually rocks pretty hard.  

Lastly, just because it combusts with adequate airflow doesn't mean it's an ideal situation.  The burn line on this cigar required touch-ups throughout, and didn't provide the usual Campesino White Label experience which is customarily flawless.  And, the head of the cigar is where cigar glue resides. Just sayin...

*The last method is more of an improvise, adapt, and overcome scenario and not recommended as a regular solution. 

Tell Us!  What’s your go-to method when you find that you’ve forgotten your cutter? 

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