Knowing how to properly cut your cigar is a crucial aspect to smoking your cigar in the most enjoyable way possible. The type of cigar cutter you choose will affecteffect how much smoke you get from each puff as well as how long you will spend smoking that cigar.

Each smoker has their own preferences, but in this tutorial we will just cover the most basic ‘straight cut’ method for your cigar. The straight cut is perhaps the standard, most original method to cutting your cigar, which entails just cutting off the top of its head. The straight cut allows the most smoke through the cigar with each puff when compared to a ‘V-Cut’ or ‘Punch Cut’.

If you are new to the world of Premium Cigars, look no further in beginning your journey with this tutorial on How to Perform a Straight Cut.

First and foremost, you need to have your cigar ready to go. Because we are working with a straight cutter you can work with any cigar size or shape you so choose.

The straight cutter is essentially the universal cutter, whether it be tapered cigars like a Figurado Cigars or Torpedo, large cigars like Churchills and Gordos, or even small cigars and cigarillos, all can be cut with a straight cutter. Most Premium Cigars today include a paper band around it that markets and differentiates their cigars from others.

You also have the option of leaving the cigar band on or taking it off. Originally used to hold cigars together, bands are primarily used for decoration and marketing now. Some Premium Cigar connoisseurs make a point of collecting these bands as a way to remember all the cigars they smoked.

Before cutting your cigar you will need to make sure the blade(s) are plenty sharp, test this with your thumb. Should your blade feel even slightly dull you will need to get a new cutter. You only get one shot to cut your cigar so you will want to make sure that the blade is plenty sharp.

Should it start to feel dull take a look at the great cigar cutters Payless has to offer, just remember the more you spend on a cutter the longer it will likely last. We recommend buying a top brand cutter, like the Tommy Bahama, if you want to make your money last.

After making sure your cutter is plenty sharp and your cigar is ready begin to line the open cutter up with the head of your cigar. Many cigar smokers will moisten the tip of the cigar slightly prior to cutting as they believe it allows for a smoother cut. You will only want to line up 2-3mm below the tip of your cigars head. Cutting off too little will make the cigar difficult to draw and cutting too much can result in your cigar beginning to unravel.

Many cigar smokers choose to wet the head of their cigar by lightly drawing on it prior to cutting as they feel it allows it to cut easier and smoother.

When using a straight cut, make sure your cutting motion is smooth and precise. You will quickly close the blades of your cutter and viola your cigar has been cut! The cap, or top of your cigar should be cut off, test the draw of your cigar to make sure your cut was done correctly.

Should you so choose you could repeat this entire process and it would grant you a larger cut. Those who do this are typically looking for a more smoked filled puff, though it is not necessary by any means.

Cigar cutting is a one-shot job, so you will want to be confident in cutting your cigar. Hesitation can be the difference between a split wrapper and a pristine cut.

Using a napkin or paper towel, you will want to collect any bits of tobacco that dropped and throw them away. Additionally, it is a good idea to brush any hanging tobacco bits off the head of the cigar to avoid getting this in your mouth.

The next step is to light your cigar; of which there are countless methods each cigar aficionado will employ. Here at Payless we prefer using a simple butane torch lighter, which vary in quantity of flames, cost, size, and quality.

However, there are those out there that prefer to use matches, cedar, or even regular soft flame lighters. To each theirthere own we say, whatever works best for you!

If you are just looking for the basics, lighting a cigar is an easy step on your way to enjoying a nice smoke. Put the cigar in your mouth, that is the side you just finished cutting, that is. You will lightly draw on this end of the cigar while using a lighter to light the foot gently.

You will not be looking to engulf the entire foot of the cigar in the flame, instead only burning it with the edge of the flame. As you go you may need to lightly puff while lighting to fully light the cigar, it should be a glowing black/orange ember as opposed to scorched white.

Finally, you are ready to kick back and enjoy your cigar doing whatever you like! We recommend back enjoying your cigar with your favorite beverage, which can sometimes perfectly complementcompliments the tasting notes of what you are smoking.

If you are new to smoking cigars just remember that cigar smoking is a by no means a race. You want to let the smoke to linger in your mouth instead of inhaling each puff, it is no issue to put your cigar down in an ashtray, you are in no rush to finish.

Most premium cigars burn for anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 plus hours, you may have to relight your cigar while enjoying it and that is perfectly normal. Whatever method you choose will be right for you, now enjoy!