Cut Cigar Caps with No Cracks in the Wrapper!

[badbriar]

Thought I'd pass along a great tip a friend taught me about 10 or 12 years back on cutting a cigar cap. This will prevent the wrapper from cracking or worse when you do the cut. This is for straight cutters and works on most tips.
My buddy told me to 'circumcise' the cigar cap. My reaction was WTF???
He went further to explain that one should take the cutter and just to apply light, firm pressure, but not go through the cigar cap. Slowly turn the cigar in the cutter until you have gone all the way around the cigar, thus scoring the cap. Then continue with more pressure until you go through the cap.
If done correctly, you will have a straight, clean cut with no damage at all to the wrapper.
Dust off the cut cap area, properly toast the foot and enjoy!

 

[captainsousie]

As Mel Brooks said, all you need to do is nip the tip. Never had need otherwise.

Edit: heck, my first Cubans were cut with an old pair of scissors.

 

[Sig]

For a couple decades ive just used my Buck Stockman pocket knife.
Its not a knife I carry, its a dedicated cigar cutter.
Absolutely razor sharp and cuts perfectly every time.
But, I've seen many seasoned cigar smokers do what you're saying.

 

[dottlejockey]

Yep, a sharp cutter and a quick snip right at the very end has worked like a charm for me for many years, so long as the cigar is properly humidified. I've also done the method described by Sig a few times. For Cubans (usually a flatter head) i just use a punch to avoid over cutting and light with a match.