How to properly cut a cigar

A cigar cutter seems simple. You just snip the end and light up, right?

Wrong. A poor cut can turn a perfectly good cigar into a smoking nightmare before you even take a puff. It can cause the wrapper to unravel, create an uneven burn or leave you with a poor draw from the very first puff. It's one of those little things in cigar smoking that is surprisingly significant.

So, how do you get it right?

Key takeaways:

• Always cut the cap (the closed end). Never the foot.
• Cut just above the shoulder, removing as little as possible of the cap
• A single swift, firm cut results in a cleaner cut than two half-hearted ones
• A sharp cigar cutter makes a cleaner cut and helps protect the wrapper.

Understand what you're actually cutting

There are two ends to a cigar. The foot is the open end, this is what you'll light. The cap (or head of the cigar) is the closed end, this is what goes in your mouth and what you'll cut.

A cigar cap is a piece of tobacco that is placed over the end of the wrapper leaf to prevent it unraveling during storage or transit. The cap is designed to hold the wrapper together. You remove part of the cap, exposing enough of the filler to create a clean draw.

The point is to remove as little of the cigar cap as possible whilst ensuring that you create enough opening to allow for a good draw.

How deep to cut a cigar and why most smokers get it wrong

Cutting the cigar too deep is the most common mistake that people make.

This is not like trimming a pencil. You want to be very delicate with the cut. Look carefully at the cigar cap and find the shoulder. This is the line at which the dome of the cap is clearly transitioning into the straight body of the cigar. This is your reference line. Cut just above this line, leaving a millimeter or two of cap remaining on the cigar.

It can be a good idea to start with a shallow cut. If it’s too tight for you, you can always take off a little more, but you cannot fix cutting too deep.

Not every cigar needs the same cut.
A well-packed Cuban may benefit from a slightly larger opening to improve the draw, while many New World cigars draw perfectly with a conservative cut. When in doubt, start small. You can always remove a little more.

Different types of cigar cutters

There are different types of cutters for various types of cut:

Cigar scissors (straight cut)

Quality cigar cutter scissors give you a clearer view than most cutters. You will see exactly where the blades are positioned before you commit to the cut. Scissors work on almost all cigar shapes, but particularly well on figurados and belicosos where you can clearly see where the blades will cut. Scissors tend to hold their edge for far longer than most other types of cutter.

Guillotine cutter (straight cut)

The most popular type of cigar cutter and the most straightforward to use. If you have smoked a cigar, chances are this is what you used the first time(s). The double-bladed version provides a cleaner cut from both sides of the cigar simultaneously, and should work on all shapes of cigar and most sizes.

V-cutter

A V-cutter, like the name suggests, makes a wedge shaped notch into the cigar cap. The V-cut creates a wedge-shaped channel that concentrates the airflow and can produce a more focused draw than a straight cut. These work well with most regular shape cigars but not with tapered figurado types where the shape of the cigar can make the blade placement unpredictable and it will remove more of the cap than is necessary.

Punch cutter

A punch cutter removes a small circular piece from the cap rather than cutting the entire end off. They're compact, easy to carry and create a smaller opening, which many smokers prefer for a tighter draw.

How to cut a cigar properly: Step-by-step guide

The steps below are for both guillotine and cigar scissors:

1. Locate the cap
2. Find the shoulder
3. Position your blades just above the shoulder
4. Make a clean, swift cut
5. Test the draw

Common cigar cutting mistakes to avoid

• Cutting the cigar too deep
• Using a blunt cigar cutter
• Hesitating over the cut
• Using household scissors

Why cigar scissors don't get enough attention

The guillotine cutter gets a lot of attention because of its practicality and ease of use, but scissors also have their own advantages that are overlooked. It's easy to see where the blade will strike when cutting the cap of a tapered cigar such as a belicoso, a figurado or a torpedo as the angle of the cap is often unpredictable. When you have control of where the cut is positioned it will make for a better experience. It makes for an excellent way of ensuring that the cap is removed swiftly and no more than is necessary. 

Good cigar scissors give you more control over the cut, making them a useful choice for premium handmade cigars. Some cigars, especially tighter handmade cigars like some Cubans, may need a slightly wider cut for a better draw, and scissors let you adjust without cutting too deep.

If you're just getting started, our guide to the 5 Best Budget Cigars to Try in 2026 is a great place to find affordable cigars to practice on before moving on to more expensive premium sticks.

FAQs

What is the best way to cut a cigar?

For most cigars, a straight cut with a double-bladed guillotine or cigar scissors provides the cleanest cut. Make your cut just above the shoulder of the cap, in a single, decisive motion.

How deep should I cut a cigar?

The general rule is to cut as little as possible, just enough to create an open draw. Cutting just above the shoulder line, leaving a millimeter or two of the cap intact usually works well.

Can I use regular household scissors to cut a cigar?

While you can, it's generally not recommended. Household scissors aren't sharp & wide enough and tend to crush and tear the wrapper leaf rather than slicing cleanly, which can negatively affect the burn. Dedicated cigar cutters are designed for this specific purpose.

What happens if I cut too deep?

If you cut into the main wrapper leaf beyond the cap, it can cause the wrapper to unravel, which can lead to an uneven burn and affect the draw. Once cut, this damage cannot be easily repaired.

Is a punch cutter better than a straight cut?

Neither is objectively "better", it depends a lot on personal preference. A punch cutter creates a tighter draw by creating a small hole, which some smokers prefer. A straight cut opens a larger surface area, which works well on various cigar shapes and generally offers a fuller draw.