[ninjavanish]

Rare occasion alert - I disagree with bobarian.

A punch can alter the experience of the cigar, some people prefer it because it is often a much cleaner opening, leaving much less stray tobacco than a guillotine. Using a small rg punch on a large rg cigar can however leave a less than desirable effect, look for a large rg punch. Xikar makes one, well worth the money if you end up liking a punch (as I do).

On a seperate note, I've learned to use the edge of my fingernail to remove a portion of the cap, almost the same way a punch does. It's not as neat, but it accomplishes a similar effect and takes up considerably less room in my pocket.