Palio, XiKAR, Zino cutter comparison (PICS)

Genevapics said:
Nice review. On the Palio, where did you apply the Silicone? On the tracks only or on the tracks AND blades? Thanks.
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Use a small paint brush and apply it only to the tracks. Then wipe it down to remove any excess. Do not want to get it on the blades because the silicone would transfer to the cigars. It is surprising how little you need, I even wipe the tracks down so there is no excess. The XiKAR was lubricated months ago and has not needed another application.
 
SingleMaltScott said:
I am a big fan of XiKAR cutters, both their regular and their bullet cutter. I've used them for years and have never had them tear up a cigar.....
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To explain the tobacco pieces, none of the cutters messed up the cigar with what would be a normal cut. I tried to make small slices of the cigar with each cutter and it could not be done, the cigar just crumbled. When I cut about 1/2 inch off at a time the cigar stayed together.
 
Thanks for the review! I have the Palio and absolutely love it!

It was interesting to see how they all matched up with each other:cb
 
Great Review,

there are a lot of people who swear by their Xikar; until they have actually TRIED a Palio. I liked my Xikar a lot, but got preturbed by the step it frequently left in the middle of the cigar where the blades meet. You can avoid the step with the "table trick" when using a Xikar, but with a Palio you get a nice FLAT cut every time without having to resort to remedies.

The "club stogie cutter" is actually marketed more commonly as "the Havana Cigar Cutter" for those of you looking for them. There are still a few floating around here and there on the market in the $5 range if you can find them.

-Matt-
 
Good stuff. I've been debating which one to pickup because I love the way the Xikar looks but most everyone says Palio. The cut is the most important part though so I guess Palio it is. Thanks again.
 
txmatt said:
Great Review, there are a lot of people who swear by their Xikar; until they have actually TRIED a Palio. I liked my Xikar a lot, but got preturbed by the step it frequently left in the middle of the cigar where the blades meet. You can avoid the step with the "table trick" when using a Xikar, but with a Palio you get a nice FLAT cut every time without having to resort to remedies...
-Matt-
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I agree, some have never used the Palio but comment on how the Xikar is better. I too have been annoyed with the little nub the Xikar left in the center of my cut smokes.

Glad you dig it bro!

~Mark
 
Thanks for the cutter comparison. I also have all four and use the Palio most of the time, the Havana (CS) for smaller RG sticks, the Xikar only rarely and "just for the heck of it" and no longer use the Zino. On small RG I actually find the Havana makes the cleanest, smoothest cut. If I could only have one it would definitely be the Palio.

Frank
 
No offense but how long have you guys been smoking cigars? To obsess so over cutters, when the freebie I got with my $25 bundle of Don Pico, Pongo, whatever cuts just as clean as my Palio, Tsuge, Sherman, Zino, etc. etc. I find amazing (to say nothing of the time that's been expended on this topic). :rolleyes:

Guys, obsess over your choice of cigars not the metallurgical properties of your cant'-be-beat cutter. You are not performing circumcisions and there is no threat of a lawsuit if you take too much off. Plus, where do you find the time - photos, hand measurements, testimonials...

Having said that, I can't come down too hard on you.... when I first started smoking premium cigars (more years ago than I'd care to remember), I too contemplated hiring an engineering consulting firm to do an exhaustive comparison study of the cutting quality (after all, how could I sleep at night knowing that I might have bought the wrong model!) of 250 known brand cutters. Now I just want to sit back and smoke my darn cigars. Which is what many of you should be doing. :ss

For me, the only one that hasn't come close to severing a finger is my Xikar. It has served me well. The rest of my collection is for show.
 
HMS Richard said:
No offense but how long have you guys been smoking cigars? To obsess so over cutters, when the freebie I got with my $25 bundle of Don Pico, Pongo, whatever cuts just as clean as my Palio, Tsuge, Sherman, Zino, etc. etc. I find amazing (to say nothing of the time that's been expended on this topic). :rolleyes:

Guys, obsess over your choice of cigars not the metallurgical properties of your cant'-be-beat cutter. You are not performing circumcisions and there is no threat of a lawsuit if you take too much off. Plus, where do you find the time - photos, hand measurements, testimonials...

Having said that, I can't come down too hard on you.... when I first started smoking premium cigars (more years ago than I'd care to remember), I too contemplated hiring an engineering consulting firm to do an exhaustive comparison study of the cutting quality (after all, how could I sleep at night knowing that I might have bought the wrong model!) of 250 known brand cutters. Now I just want to sit back and smoke my darn cigars. Which is what many of you should be doing. :ss

For me, the only one that hasn't come close to severing a finger is my Xikar. It has served me well. The rest of my collection is for show.
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I can certainly appreciate your opinion. For me if I spend $5-10 on a "usual" cigar then 30-40 a cutter is not that much. Besides why not get one that is crafted well and will last a lifetime. Not to mention the most important part, properly cutting my stogie with out the head unraveling. Welcome to the jungle, sit back and relax and enjoy. Thank you :) :)
 
RonC said:
hello hms, good to see you.
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Ron, what are we going to do with these knuckleheads? :ss

They make the guys at CF look normal. :D

Oops, I just checked the dryer. I left two cutters in the wash. I think the suds actually helped sharpen the blades.

These guys will lose their cutters long before the blades go dull but it seems to make them happy. By the way, I am waiting for the hand model photos. George Costanza, where are you? LOL.
 
kenstogie said:
I can certainly appreciate your opinion. For me if I spend $5-10 on a "usual" cigar then 30-40 a cutter is not that much. Besides why not get one that is crafted well and will last a lifetime. Not to mention the most important part, properly cutting my stogie with out the head unraveling. Welcome to the jungle, sit back and relax and enjoy. Thank you :) :)
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Quite an eclectic set of interests you have at that site of yours Ken. Cigars, guitars, words of wisdom....I'm impressed. Confused but impressed. :) Also, trust me on this....none of those cutters will you have till the end of time. You will either have quit smoking per doctor's orders, taken up bowling, or lost ever single one of them.
 
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HMS Richard said:
Quite an eclectic set of interests you have at that site of yours Ken. Cigars, guitars, words of wisdom....I'm impressed. Confused but impressed. Also, trust me on this....none of those cutters will you have till the end of time. You will either have quit smoking per doctor's orders, taken up bowling, or lost ever single one of them.
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I am so grateful for you to join and show us "the way". Nice intro by the way.
 
There is no better cutter than Palio imho. I've used all kinds of different cutters over the years, but after I got my Palio i'd never use anything else. Perfect cut everytime. I think they are a real bargain at 40 bones.

I've had mine for over two years. I'd kick myself if I lost it (and then i'd go buy another).
 
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