Mrs. dpnewell wrote:The American made Palio I won here a few years back went about 300 cuts. I thought that was great until I won a couple Xikar X8s. They lasted 600 to 700 cuts each and operate far smoother. I finally got around to printing out the Xikar return form today. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll have a couple new (or least sharp) X8s.
David
The X8 is great. Also try the metal version, the M8. It has MUCH greater "heft" and weight, feels like a more serious cutting instrument, very satisfying feel in the hand, both just holding it and while operating it, much more than the much-lighter X8.
I was used to the X8, and when I first held and operated the M8, it was a "Woah, SWEET!" reaction, honestly.
However, both seem to have the same quality blades, and both seem to make the same quality cuts. And, the X8 has two advantages over the M8: lighter weight makes it easier to carry in some situations (shirt pocket, etc.) and its plastic body is far more resistant to scraping/scratching/friction damage. The metal body of the M8 is much more susceptible to such cosmetic damage from rubbing against other objects/surfaces.*
They both have their roles! Get both, and use whichever one fits the situation better, that's what I do.
Also look at the X875, that thing's awesome. X8 on steroids, super large, but gives highly-precise cuts on smaller cigars too. Love it. No metal version exists yet.
* (For a dynamite scratch/scuff-resistant, go-anywhere duo, try the X8 paired with a Xikar hard-rubber-skinned Stratosphere lighter!)
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