Cigar Punches - I want a better one

04-20-2009, 03:28 PM

Ok so the Xikar vs Palio debate has raged on and one and is far from resolution there will always be both sides of the fence but invariably when one asks for a cutter recommendation they get either one of these.

Now cigar punches are less utilized it seems but lately I have found myself using my punch more and more, but here is my regret/issue/consternation over the hole thing (notice the nice use of pun).

The one I have is an Xikar 008 and while the design and construction is great I find I have to spend too much time fussing with it to get a good cut, if it was sharper a simple twist and light push would surely do.

I have looked online and nothing jumps out at me.

Punches are great for short filler smokes and in general I have been finding I prefer a punch or a sharp knife to a cutter.

So gents help me out, what is the best punch out there and how do I find it?

Or, why doesn't Palio make a punch?

Old Sailor · 04-20-2009, 03:31 PM

I got mine from Holts.....spring loaded, rubber grip, one piece!

Smokin Gator · 04-20-2009, 03:36 PM

I know what you mean. I have also found myself enjoying the punch more and more. I also have a 008 and it was great at first. Now it seems like it is not so sharp. I will monitor this thread.

One thing I did hear but haven't tried is to get a cone shaped Dremel tool and lightly work it on the inside of the punch to sharpen it.

Bear · 04-20-2009, 03:41 PM

I use the cheapies you can pick up at a B&M for a few bucks. When it gets dull, I toss it and get an other one.

thetpi825 · 04-20-2009, 03:47 PM

Ive been using the one on my Xikar lighter and it works great.

awsmith4 · 04-20-2009, 03:51 PM

I use the one on the bottom of Vector lighter and it has been trouble free so far...

04-20-2009, 04:00 PM

This is the one that I have and use.
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/wolfmagcut.html a plastic shell with 2 sizes of cutters, one on each end. I paid $16 buy for $30 you can get the same thing with a metal shell.
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/womagcufme.html

Here is an example of what it can do with a larger RG, in this case a 52rg

I don't always punch but when I do this is the one I use.

TripleF · 04-20-2009, 04:04 PM

I use the punch attached to my cheapo lighter....it's money - works everytime!

04-20-2009, 04:12 PM

tzaddi that's the coolest punch I have ever seen.

TXRebel · 04-20-2009, 05:28 PM

I don't own one, but for the price, it better cut steel and stay sharp.

LINK.

SmokeyJoe · 04-20-2009, 05:42 PM

Pretty impressive!

I use a cheap one that hangs on my keychain... yours looks MUCH nicer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tzaddi

This is the one that I have and use.
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/wolfmagcut.html a plastic shell with 2 sizes of cutters, one on each end. I paid $16 buy for $30 you can get the same thing with a metal shell.
http://www.pipesandcigars.com/womagcufme.html

Here is an example of what it can do with a larger RG, in this case a 52rg

I don't always punch but when I do this is the one I use.

Smokin Gator · 04-20-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXRebel

I don't own one, but for the price, it better cut steel and stay sharp.

I'd say... and make love to me after it punched my cigar!!!

AD720 · 04-20-2009, 06:12 PM

I got a two pack of these -

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/lot.cfm?lotID=713285

Working A-OK!

XTRazzer · 04-20-2009, 06:29 PM

I've been happy with the punch selection (3 sizes) on my Victorinox Cigar Knife. It's a nice looking knife too. Got mine at Amazon.

Ragin Cajun · 04-20-2009, 06:32 PM

I've got one that cost me about 9 bucks, it works every time. But since some of you have a Xikar, maybe somebody could look into whether or not they have a lifetime warranty.

RGD. · 04-21-2009, 07:34 PM

This, I think, is the absolute best punch made - Dottatus Solingen.

This punch has two sizes - simply twist the barrel to bring out the size that you want. Looks two different colors in the photo - but it's not true - just the lighting, flash or some deal.

Not sure where you would buy one - I've had this one forever it seems (10 to 12 years at least, I honestly can't remember) - and I know it ran me well over $100 at the time.

As you can see from the residue around it - it's had it's fair share of use over the years.

Ron

SeanGAR · 04-21-2009, 07:47 PM

Use this blade, cut a circle. Bigger cigar, bigger circle. Torp, cut a V. You can sharpen it easily. I've never had a punch worth beans.

04-21-2009, 07:49 PM

RGD that's cool looking.

troutbreath · 04-21-2009, 08:14 PM

I have the Xikar, and like it. I've only had it for a few months, though. Previously, I used some cheapies from JR that I would pick up on occasion, and they were great, too. When they got dull, they went in the trash.

I have been punching more and more lately. Any robusto gets a punch.

04-21-2009, 11:22 PM

Seems I just cant get what I want.

Perhaps I am too spoiled, hmmm my brother is a cnc lathe operator, maybe its time to get a custom one. Not that he would do it.

Is there such a thing as a conical honing stone that i can use to sharpen it, a simple grind wheel would make a mess of it I would think?

04-20-2009, 03:28 PM	#1
SilverFox Guest Posts: n/a	Cigar Punches - I want a better one Ok so the Xikar vs Palio debate has raged on and one and is far from resolution there will always be both sides of the fence but invariably when one asks for a cutter recommendation they get either one of these. Now cigar punches are less utilized it seems but lately I have found myself using my punch more and more, but here is my regret/issue/consternation over the hole thing (notice the nice use of pun). The one I have is an Xikar 008 and while the design and construction is great I find I have to spend too much time fussing with it to get a good cut, if it was sharper a simple twist and light push would surely do. I have looked online and nothing jumps out at me. Punches are great for short filler smokes and in general I have been finding I prefer a punch or a sharp knife to a cutter. So gents help me out, what is the best punch out there and how do I find it? Or, why doesn't Palio make a punch?

04-20-2009, 03:31 PM	#2
Old Sailor Black Ops - S.O.B. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Side Porta!! Kingsville, Ont., Canada Posts: 4,210 Trading: (22)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I got mine from Holts.....spring loaded, rubber grip, one piece! __________________ Canadian Armed Forces 1976! Canadian Coast Guard, retired in 2012 after 32 years!!

04-20-2009, 03:36 PM	#3
Smokin Gator Just plain insane! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Swamp Posts: 6,237 Trading: (106)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I know what you mean. I have also found myself enjoying the punch more and more. I also have a 008 and it was great at first. Now it seems like it is not so sharp. I will monitor this thread. One thing I did hear but haven't tried is to get a cone shaped Dremel tool and lightly work it on the inside of the punch to sharpen it. __________________ Check out the Cigar Asylum Newbie Sampler Trade

04-20-2009, 03:41 PM	#4
Bear Just an other FNG Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Marc Location: Ajax, Ontario. Posts: 393 Trading: (4)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I use the cheapies you can pick up at a B&M for a few bucks. When it gets dull, I toss it and get an other one. __________________ Canadian Roll Call

04-20-2009, 03:47 PM	#5
thetpi825 Just in from the Storm Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 40 Trading: (0)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one Ive been using the one on my Xikar lighter and it works great.

04-20-2009, 03:51 PM	#6
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I use the one on the bottom of Vector lighter and it has been trouble free so far... __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

04-20-2009, 04:00 PM	#7
tzaddi Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one This is the one that I have and use. http://www.pipesandcigars.com/wolfmagcut.html a plastic shell with 2 sizes of cutters, one on each end. I paid $16 buy for $30 you can get the same thing with a metal shell. http://www.pipesandcigars.com/womagcufme.html Here is an example of what it can do with a larger RG, in this case a 52rg I don't always punch but when I do this is the one I use.

04-20-2009, 04:04 PM	#8
TripleF 11/11/11 EPIC IV Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 5,626 Trading: (176)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I use the punch attached to my cheapo lighter....it's money - works everytime! __________________ Cool Cigar Shirts, Stickers & More

04-20-2009, 04:12 PM	#9
leasingthisspace Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one tzaddi that's the coolest punch I have ever seen.

04-20-2009, 05:28 PM	#10
TXRebel Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Cary Location: Texas Posts: 1,276 Trading: (12)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I don't own one, but for the price, it better cut steel and stay sharp. LINK. __________________ "The government turns every contingency into an excuse for enhancing power in itself."

04-20-2009, 06:12 PM	#13
AD720 I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andrew Location: The City of BOTL-erly Love Posts: 2,684 Trading: (73)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I got a two pack of these - http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/lot.cfm?lotID=713285 Working A-OK!

04-20-2009, 06:29 PM	#14
XTRazzer Still Watching My Back Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 131 Trading: (1)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I've been happy with the punch selection (3 sizes) on my Victorinox Cigar Knife. It's a nice looking knife too. Got mine at Amazon.

04-20-2009, 06:32 PM	#15
Ragin Cajun Staff Sergeant of Marines Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Nick Location: The States Posts: 121 Trading: (3)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I've got one that cost me about 9 bucks, it works every time. But since some of you have a Xikar, maybe somebody could look into whether or not they have a lifetime warranty. __________________ Semper Fi

04-21-2009, 07:34 PM	#16
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one This, I think, is the absolute best punch made - Dottatus Solingen. This punch has two sizes - simply twist the barrel to bring out the size that you want. Looks two different colors in the photo - but it's not true - just the lighting, flash or some deal. Not sure where you would buy one - I've had this one forever it seems (10 to 12 years at least, I honestly can't remember) - and I know it ran me well over $100 at the time. As you can see from the residue around it - it's had it's fair share of use over the years. Ron

04-21-2009, 07:47 PM	#17
SeanGAR Crotchety Geezer Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Radford VA Posts: 911 Trading: (3)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one Use this blade, cut a circle. Bigger cigar, bigger circle. Torp, cut a V. You can sharpen it easily. I've never had a punch worth beans. __________________ How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?

04-21-2009, 07:49 PM	#18
leasingthisspace Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one RGD that's cool looking.

04-21-2009, 08:14 PM	#19
troutbreath Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: The Dash, NC Posts: 706 Trading: (0)	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one I have the Xikar, and like it. I've only had it for a few months, though. Previously, I used some cheapies from JR that I would pick up on occasion, and they were great, too. When they got dull, they went in the trash. I have been punching more and more lately. Any robusto gets a punch.

04-21-2009, 11:22 PM	#20
SilverFox Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cigar Punches - I want a better one Seems I just cant get what I want. Perhaps I am too spoiled, hmmm my brother is a cnc lathe operator, maybe its time to get a custom one. Not that he would do it. Is there such a thing as a conical honing stone that i can use to sharpen it, a simple grind wheel would make a mess of it I would think?