Punch vs Guillotine Cutter
I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and this is the beginner's guide to a cigar punch vs guillotine cutter. I get asked all the time which tool is better. A lot of it comes down to preference, but there are situations where you really should reach for one over the other. This guide walks you through exactly when to use a punch and when to use a guillotine, so you never wreck a good cigar at the cut.
Punch vs Guillotine Cutter: The Basics
A guillotine cutter slices a clean, flat opening across the cap of the cigar. A punch cuts a small round hole into the cap instead. Both get you a good draw. With traditional sizes, you can use either one with no problem. That includes the Robusto, Churchill, Toro, Gordo, and Corona. Punch the top and you are ready to smoke, or use the guillotine for a wider opening. In these shapes it is purely your call.
Quick answerTraditional sizes: either works. Figurado or Lancero: use a guillotine. Box-pressed: your preference. Very big ring gauge (above 60): a punch is easier. The rest of this guide explains why.
How Each Tool Works
Using a punch is quick. You press the sharp round blade into the center of the cap, give it a twist, and pull it out. You are left with a small, neat hole. Using a guillotine takes a little more care. Line the blade up just below the cap line, then close it in one confident motion. Cut too deep and the cap can unravel, so take off only what you need. With both tools, go slow your first few times. A good cut protects the wrapper and gives you an even draw, which is the whole point.
Figurado: Use a Guillotine
Here is the first exception in the cigar punch vs guillotine debate. A Figurado with a 64 ring gauge at the foot, a 49 ring gauge at the cap, and a shaggy little tail will not work well with a punch. You need a guillotine cutter to snip off that tail and open the cap, so you can get a proper draw. A punch simply cannot do the job here. The punch fails, the cutter wins.
Lancero: Use a Guillotine
A Lancero has a very small ring gauge, usually under 40, often a 38 or a 36. A punch is too wide for it. Could you force one in? Sure, but you risk cracking the wrapper right down the side, and you do not want that. To be more delicate and precise, use a guillotine cut on a Lancero. It protects that slim cigar and gives you a clean opening every time.
Box-Pressed: Your Preference
For the longest time I have used a punch on box-pressed cigars. I just like how clean it looks. Because a box-pressed cigar is squared off rather than round, the cap gives you a flatter surface. That flat surface also lets you present a guillotine perfectly and get a very good incision. So with box-pressed cigars you can go either way. This one comes down to preference.
Very Big Ring Gauge: Use a Punch
On very big cigars, anything above a 60 ring gauge, I have learned a punch is better. Take the El Septimo Double Shot, a fat 68 ring gauge. You can absolutely use a guillotine, but once you cut it the surface area is wide open, so you have to seal your lips all the way around the cigar to get a good draw. That gets tiring, and I want to relax when I smoke. A punch lets me cut a small hole off to the side, so I do not have to commit my whole mouth to a full seal. If the draw is tight, I just use a slightly bigger ring gauge punch and try again. On big cigars, the punch is the win.
Which Should a Beginner Start With?
If you are brand new, start with a guillotine cutter. It works on almost every cigar you will buy, and a double-blade guillotine gives you a clean, even cut with very little practice. Add a punch to your kit once you start smoking bigger ring gauge cigars, since that is where it really shines. Owning both is ideal, because then you can match the tool to the cigar in front of you. Whatever you choose, keep the blade sharp. A dull cutter tears the wrapper instead of slicing it.
Punch vs Guillotine Cheat Sheet
Keep this quick reference handy the next time you light up:
Cigar shapeBest toolWhy Robusto, Churchill, Toro, Gordo, CoronaEitherStandard cap, both cut cleanly Figurado (shaggy tail)GuillotineA punch cannot snip the tail open Lancero (under 40 ring gauge)GuillotineA punch can crack the thin wrapper Box-pressedEither (preference)The flat cap suits both tools Big ring gauge (above 60)PunchAvoids a tiring full-lip seal for the draw
Watch: Punch vs Guillotine Cutter
See each cut demonstrated straight from the episode on Mondays with Mardo:
Final Thoughts
So in the cigar punch vs guillotine question, the answer is "it depends." Traditional sizes and box-pressed cigars are your call. Reach for a guillotine on a Figurado or a Lancero, and reach for a punch on very big ring gauge cigars. Match the tool to the shape and you will get a great draw every time. Want to understand cigar shapes better? Read our guide to box-pressed cigars and our guide on whether ring gauge matters.
Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.
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