V-Cutter

[CigarNut]

So, Shane, Adam and others I have a question for you.

I know cigars are all about personal preference; I have used both a punch and traditional cutter. Never tried a V cutter. My experience with punch cuts is that they seem to collect more tar faster than a traditional flat cut so I only use a punch on small RG cigars. The result is that I prefer the regular flat cut overall.

So here is the $64,000 question: what makes the V cut better (or worse) than a "traditional" flag cut?

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

So, Shane, Adam and others I have a question for you.

I know cigars are all about personal preference; I have used both a punch and traditional cutter. Never tried a V cutter. My experience with punch cuts is that they seem to collect more tar faster than a traditional flat cut so I only use a punch on small RG cigars. The result is that I prefer the regular flat cut overall.

So here is the $64,000 question: what makes the V cut better (or worse) than a "traditional" flag cut?

I have experienced tar (1-2 times out of maybe 20) in some recent v-cuts. My v-cut is a bit shallow and I am hoping that the depth of the Xikar will resolve that issue. V-cuts seem to preserve much more of the cap compared to a horizantal cut. They also "seem" to draw better (May be in my head). The V doesn't crush a cap like a straight cutter can occasionally do.
From what I understand, the V shape creates more surface area, which is good for burn and draw.

All I know for sure is I like to use the V, maybe just because it is something new to me. It seems to do a great cut and never damages the cap. Once I get it figured out I imagine I will use a few different cutters based on RG.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

From what I understand, the V shape creates more surface area, which is good for burn and draw.

Would have to do the math on that one, but I think it's really just splitting hairs. One thing about the construction of the cigars is that the flat cut will expose all, or nearly all, of the air channels created by the bunching & rolling, the V-cut will not, so even if you have more surface area exposed, it's across a reduced number of orifices, which means that, since pressure is a constant, you will have to increase the velocity to get the same volume of air through the cigar (drawing harder). This increase might help the burn, but again, I think it's really trivial/minor differences here.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by T.G

Would have to do the math on that one, but I think it's really just splitting hairs. One thing about the construction of the cigars is that the flat cut will expose all, or nearly all, of the air channels created by the bunching & rolling, the V-cut will not, so even if you have more surface area exposed, it's across a reduced number of orifices, which means that, since pressure is a constant, you will have to increase the velocity to get the same volume of air through the cigar (drawing harder). This increase might help the burn, but again, I think it's really trivial/minor differences here.

That makes some sense to me. There may be some happy medium where a cigar that draws loose may benefit by a V and a cigar that draws tight may benefit from a straight cut (Or vice versa). I have been using nothing but a V for about a month now and love it. I wasn't having issues with my Palio before either though.