cigar punch question

tmanwell

Hi guys…
NEW cigar smoker here… loving the experimentation! So far, I'm finding that I love the 5" x 50 gauge size the best. Seems like a great relaxing 60+minute smoke to me.

So far, I feel more comfortable using a PUNCH as opposed to a cutter, tho. So, here's the question, do punches come in various sizes? I think I'd like my punch even better if it created a bigger hole.
Thoughts?

Thanks!

T.M.

Darktower007

Most I've seen on stores or online are the same size. Welcome to the forum!

blutattoo

I have only seen one size of punch. You could use a cutter and adjust the amount you clip off. It doesn't have to be the entire end of the cigar. As long as it's relatively round at the end of the cigar you could cut as little as you want off. You could also use a V cutter as well. Welcome to the forum.

Chemnitz

Welcome to the forum, tman! While you're at it, why don't you introduce yourself on the Newbie Welcoming thread. I'll bump it for you.

Bob Luken

Yes some are bigger than others. I have a xikar lighter with a built-in punch and it's a bigger diameter than most. And I made good use of it when I was first starting out a few years back. But then a friend showed me his xikar teardrop cutter. I bought one of those soon after and I'm still loving it. Cheap cutters let newbies make mistakes. If you decide you want to use a cutter, skip over all the crappy ones and get a Xikar. And, keep looking around the internet for a larger diameter punch and you'll find what you're looking for.

Welcome to the forum. This is the place to learn all the cigar knowledge you don't have access to on your own.

Here's one punch with three different sizes

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CREDO-3-IN-1-CIGAR-PUNCH-CUTTER-SQUARE-SILVER-/170908686901

jlmarta

Another alternative is to punch two overlapping holes to create whatever size opening you prefer. I use a punch almost exclusively - even on torpedoes and other pointy-headed vitolas because I just despise having to continually spit or pick little loose bits of tobacco out of my mouth. It seems no matter how good the cutter is, it always produces small, loose bits of tobacco that get sucked into your mouth when you draw on your stogie. Just MHO......

jlmarta

Bob Luken:

Here's one punch with three different sizes

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CREDO-3-IN-1-CIGAR-PUNCH-CUTTER-SQUARE-SILVER-/170908686901

Boy, they're not VERY proud of their punch cutter, are they?? A good box of cigars can cost less than what they want for one.... LOL

Amos Umwhat

You might try a "V" cutter.

rsherman24

Xikar makes a 7mm, 9mm, and 11mm punch cutter. I like the 9mm over the 7mm and never felt to go any bigger than that

tmanwell

yes, I noticed that. I was sorta wondering how the "mm" translates into gauge size….

tmanwell

HA
Yup, no chance of me buying one of those.

CharlieHeis

I love using the punch now. Was hesitant at first, but saw others say that's all that they used made me give it a try. Two of my lighters have two sizes of punches built in. I have the Bugatti B-1 and the Xikar Versa

matkn293

I have a Bugatti lighter with what I would call a medium size punch. I like this set up as it is all in one and when I go to the B&M I don't have several contraptions in my pocket. If I want a bigger hole I just punch again (does not always have to be a full size punch) to get it where I want it. I do have to say that if you want a cutter, go with a xikar. Unparalleled cutter in my young humble opinion.

jlmarta

tmanwell:

yes, I noticed that. I was sorta wondering how the "mm" translates into gauge size….

If you go to the eBay site for that 3-way punch and read the description they've posted, it give a reference for which mm size to use for which ring guage. The site is useful, if for no other reason...

tmanwell

Ah…

Then perhaps the Xikar 11mm punch ought to be just about right for a 50 gauge cigar. Perhaps??

Beaker38

Welcome to the Fourm

jlmarta

tmanwell:

Ah… Then perhaps the Xikar 11mm punch ought to be just about right for a 50 gauge cigar. Perhaps??

Close enough for government work, I'd say.....

FireRob

jlmarta:

Another alternative is to punch two overlapping holes to create whatever size opening you prefer.

I just recently started using a punch (still prefer a cutter) but on really big RG I have made 3 over lapping holes where it kind of looks like a three leaf clover. For this reason one size punch is all I have needed. Welcome to the forum.

Cigary

AS was written there are different sizes of punches....I've seen people use a punch 2 or 3 times to make a triangle at the head of the cigar and with one guy you could see a huge difference in the volume of smoke coming out of it...but the risk of collapsing the head is a problem. I use a deep V Cut ( cats eye ) which scoops more of the middle portion of the cut unlike a regular V Cut that just moves across in a straight line.

tmanwell

I wouldn't mind trying a V cutter.
What's your preferred make/model of a "deep cut" cat's eye type cutter?

The3Stogies

Welcome TM. Robusto is a good size, my favorite. Fun to try the same cigar in different sizes too. Used the guillotine type cutter forever, you can cut as shallow or deep as you want but limited to smaller ring gauges. Kelly talked me into my first v-notch cutter my last order, love it. Was using both for a while but now find myself notching everything from robusto on up. I've read the scissor type are good for everything, but afraid I'll cut myself.