Expensive sidecosts?!?

[Joekendall04]

How big a deal are top of the line cutters/lighters? can they really make a good cigar a great cigar? How much of a difference do ancillary utilities make?

[Warhorse545]

Well they tend to stay sharper longer. Are nice to have and tend to take a long time to wear out. Sure beat some of the cheap cutters out there, but not all when the cheap ones are new. But the cheap ones do dull a bit faster and break easer. So it is a kinda of your call on what ya want. One that will last for years or willing to replace every now and then when they dull.


And losing a high end cutter sure hurts worse then a low end one.



Just my thoughts on the matter.


Stacey

[drawfour]

Some of the high-end cutters have lifetime warranties for if it breaks, and also will sharpen it for free if it dulls. One example is the Xikar brand cutters. I believe all their cutters have a lifetime warranty.

[zemekone]

all i have to say once you use a Palio you never want to use another cutter again...

[RPB67]

all i have to say once you use a Palio you never want to use another cutter again...

:tpd: Get one of these and then you tell us.

[RGD]

As far as cutters go - cheap ones don't hold the blade very long. When this happens, instead of a sharp cut through the smoke - you end up smashing and breaking your way through it. This can and will cause damage to delicate wrappers.


Ron

[TechMetalMan]

I wouldn't go high end on the lighters yet. Not unless you just want one that will impress people or something. Many of the gorillas around here will tell you to steer clear of Colibri Lighters. So if you go high end on lighters I would look into Porsche, Lotus, Dupont etc...

[Full Bodied Bruce]

I don't know if top of the line cutters make all the difference. However, the cheapies darned sure do,they can and do tear up the cigar head and unwrap part of the wrapper.

[White97Jimmy]

I've bought a higher priced cutter (~$25) and found it to cut mediocre. On the other hand, my cheapie Havana cutters cut great. For about $2, I get a decent cut and I don't mind if I put it through the wash or lose it.

[RJT]

This is very easy, Xikar or Palio cutters. The Dupot Xtend is the lighter to get. All this will cost you for a lighter and cutter around $200.00 or slightly above. RJT

[SUOrangeGuy]

about 180 from Cigarmony

[vtdragon]

Havana Cutter $2
Bic Lighter $1.49
Cigar ... best you can afford

Having a good smoke with your friends.... Priceless

[Baric]

:r i find its always best to do my homework when buying. check out the cigar products reviews and theyll tell you that one of the best combos to do is the Havana Cutter and the PB-207 lighter. its not cheap but its not at all expensive for such an investment, at around $55 shipped.

[moon]

It's all about preference. Is it necessary to spend a bunch of money on accessories, NO. As long as whatever you are using is cutting straight and getting the thing lit you are good. I am more concerned with proper storage and the cigars. I would rather have to bite the end off the damn cigar and light it with a free book of matches than have a nice lighter and cutter and not be able to afford a smoke. :hn

[Twill413]

It's all about preference. Is it necessary to spend a bunch of money on accessories, NO. As long as whatever you are using is cutting straight and getting the thing lit you are good. I am more concerned with proper storage and the cigars. I would rather have to bite the end off the damn cigar and light it with a free book of matches than have a nice lighter and cutter and not be able to afford a smoke. :hn

:tpd: I did buy a very cheap cutter...and regretted it. It got used twice, and ripped the wrapper both times. Lesson learned. As long as everything does what it is supposed to, I can't justify spending 50+ on a cutter or lighter, when my 1.50 Ronson, and 6.00 B & M cutter work just fine. I would much rather smoke the difference.

[Corona Gigante]

After trying several cheaper alternatives, I've stuck with a double guillotine cigar cutter I got for about $15 and a refillable butane lighter which cost about the same. These both work fairly well and I don't see any real need to spend any more money. However, I wouldn't suggest you spend much less either.

A cheap, plastic single guillotine cutter can really mess up your wrappers, and a butane torch is essential to light a cigar properly. It's almost impossible to get an even light puffing away on a match or a bic. Why spend the money on a good cigar if you're not going to get the most out of it? And don't get me started on lighting up from a zippo or a candle, although I guess that might improve the flavor of those Acids.

[chip]

I used a Bic lighter for years. I have two Colibri torch lighters (gifts from my B&M), but just preferred the soft flame of the Bic. Seemed like I was able to toast the foot more evenly. The problem is, in any wind at all it won't work, so I ended up having to light my smoke indoors before heading to the patio.
Then I got the PB-207, and now I use it exclusively. It is inexpensive, and one darn fine torch lighter. I think you could use it in a hurricane.
There are some good inexpensive cutters, like the Havana. A bad cutter, no matter the price, will ruin the experience. I have owned the Xicar, and it is a good cutter, but now I only use my Palio. It is by far the best cutter I have ever used.
Cigar smoking is a bit of a ritual. The selection, cut, prelight draw....then toasting the foot and finally lighting her up. Using fine tools adds to the enjoyment. It won't make the cigar taste better (which is of course the most important factor), it just helps you enjoy a fine cigar that much more. Like being in your favorite smoking place.

[moon]

Cigar smoking is a bit of a ritual. The selection, cut, prelight draw....then toasting the foot and finally lighting her up. Using fine tools adds to the enjoyment. It won't make the cigar taste better (which is of course the most important factor), it just helps you enjoy a fine cigar that much more. Like being in your favorite smoking place.

:tpd: Well said!

[steelheaderdu]

I completely agree with using the best cutter you can. I love my Xikar, but I haven't used the others mentioned. It was a present from my wife, and unless I lose it, probably won't ever have to buy another cutter.

[SUOrangeGuy]

I recently upgraded from a Havana to a Palio. They both have a great cut. The way I look at it that my new Palio has an unconditional lifetime free exchange guarantee. The Havana doesn't, so If I have to replace it more than a few times because of a dull blade I end up losing money. The Havana may cost only $2 but with shipping its more and I believe that they are now discontinued so they will become increasingly hard to find (i.e. more expensive).

[palm55]

I broke a few cheap plastic guillotines, and finally resigned myself to investing in something better. Based on a review by Dr. Stogie Fresh (elsewhere on this board), I scored a stainless Xikar on C-bid for under 30 bucks about 4 months ago. I've been entirely satisfied with its performance, and after registering the cutter on Xikar's website, they sent me a free leather carrying pouch. COOL!

As for lighters? I've gone from the Bics to the fancy refillables, then back to the Bics again. I mean, when you can stop by a discount outlet and grab a pack of 50 Bics for 20 bucks, you're set for a year, and they endure the "washer-dryer" test quite nicely!


"Evil spirits and vampires are repelled by the scents of garlic, bourbon, and a good cigar... If you have all three, you are well-protected."

(Book of Forgettable Quotations, Chpt. 16)

[j6ppc]

<snip> ...PB-207 lighter. its not cheap but its not at all expensive for such an investment, at around $55 shipped.

Those can be had for around $22 or so if you get in on one of the group buys.
I love mine, what an awesome lighter.

[Bigwaved]

Have not used the Palio, but the Xikar has been good to me. The lighter I went with is the PB-207. I took the rest of the money I did not spend on lighter and spent it on cigars. Also, I bought a Stinky ashtray. Top of the line does not necessarily mean the most costly. I think my choices do add to the experience. I am not rubbing sticks together to light something, I am not biting the cap off and I have a safe place to set my cigar down and collect ash.

[SilvrBck]

I bought a Palio a couple of years ago and I love the thing. I'm a bit anal about my cut and want that sucker perfect. I hate it when cheap-o cutters shred the end of my cigar. :mad: A good cutter is worth the price to me. I think my Palio was only around $40 delivered. It's definitely function over form for me. Lighters I don't really care so much about. I just hate buying crappy torches that break after 2 uses. I got in on the PB 207 group buy and am looking forward to trying that out.

SB

Edit: Check out this link: Palio Cutter (http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ACC-PALIO) Palios come with a lifetime warranty from Bargain Humidors.

[txdyna65]

Thanks for that link Silvrbck, Ive been wanting one of those and that looked like a good enough deal for me to order it tonight :)

As for lighters, the Ronson torch has been very good for me.

[Old Sailor]

Palio used for the first time tonight.......beautiful, just like a hot knife through butter...I highly recommend it.......:D

[bigman]

So, I guess suggesting kitchen shears and a gas stove is out of the question. :r
I to have a Xikar cutter, and have found that I primarily use a cutter that came free with an order, and likewise I have an inexpensive torch that I got at the B&M for about $20, but find myself using a Bic most of the time. However, I did find that when I couldn’t find a lighter the other day, I did use the gas range, and got one of the best lights I have had yet, so who knows.

[LasciviousXXX]

Agree with most here, its all about your preferences.

I prefer my cigar to have a razor-like cut to it and I like to light it evenly. Palio is the best cutter out there by far.

Had a couple Xikar's and they worked ok but nowhere near the Palio.

[TechMetalMan]

I actually prefer to punch my cigars. No one seems to like punches for some reason, but I dig them. I never have to worry about tearing the wrapper and I always have smooth, soft cap to place my lips on.

Also, I use a Ronson Torch. Cheap and works really well!

[LasciviousXXX]

I actually prefer to punch my cigars. No one seems to like punches for some reason, but I dig them. I never have to worry about tearing the wrapper and I always have smooth, soft cap to place my lips on.

Also, I use a Ronson Torch. Cheap and works really well!


I use a punch occassionaly but not enough to mention. Just not my style I guess. However, with a Palio, there is NO tearing of the wrapper ;)

[TechMetalMan]

I use a punch occassionaly but not enough to mention. Just not my style I guess. However, with a Palio, there is NO tearing of the wrapper ;)

All I hear about is the palio. Maybe I will ask for this for christmas from the folks- along with a vicksburg!!!

Until then- long live the generic punch!

[floydp]

:r i find its always best to do my homework when buying. check out the cigar products reviews and theyll tell you that one of the best combos to do is the Havana Cutter and the PB-207 lighter. its not cheap but its not at all expensive for such an investment, at around $55 shipped.


:tpd: Right on brother! Save yourself some dough for better smokes. If you have the money get the Palio its probably the best you can buy. I have a Xikar and used it religiously for over a year. When Dave did the CS Havana cutter groupy thingy I started using it, and have ever since. Funny we had the cutters laying around the house and never used them much till they got the CS logo on them. Got a couple of the PB-207's and take my word for it, its the best damn 22 to 30 bucks you'll ever spend on a cigar accessory.

[txmatt]

all i have to say once you use a Palio you never want to use another cutter again...

Palio's aren't priced "high end" but they cut better than any cutter I have used. The price of admission is relatively low. I got rid of my more expensive Xikars after getting my Palio.

Some high end lighters go in the thousands.. You are paying for looks and the name. The best performing and most reliable lighter I have used would be the Price/Blazer 207. You can get them in the $30 - $40 price range. The bad thing about them is many cheapies knocked off their design so you can't tell the good ones from the $2 gas station ones by looking at them. If you want a good looking lighter that performs as well as a PB-207 though the St. Dupot Xtend is a very nice lighter. Stay away from high $$ Colibris or you will regret it down the road.

:2
-Matt-