which is best when using a punch? twist it back and forth or consistently in the same direction? does it really matter? also, i noticed rust on my punch. should i go ahead and buy a new one? thanks.

Rust?!?

Look here son, I say lookie here...If you're gonna smoke these here see-gars thenit better be more than just one every decade!

I've got a Xikar punch that works like a dream! I simply turn my wrist like you would if you were throttling a motorcycle. If you have to work hard at getting the punch made then it's probably time to get a new one. Spend the extra money on something nice. You're cigars will thank you for it!

ok, ok... so that last one did make me look badly like a rookie.

I was just thinking that you need to smoke more, oh look some auctions are closing...gotta go!

dont remind me... i missed out on those ashton maduros.

If your going to use a rusty punch, smoke lone wolf. Gangrene and lone wolf go hand in hand. Jonr

well technically, i didn't say i actually used... lol

I second the motion you get a good punch cutter .. the cutter DrMaddVibe recommends is a particularly good one, for example ... there's no substitute for good tools, no matter what the task ...

As for how you use it, do so as if you were cutting a loaf of hot bread ... and don't squish it ... but a good cutter, like a good knife, will sure make the job easier ...

and while I'm at it, let me address what I thought by the title your question was about ... Punch are good cigars, particularly, IMNSHO, their Rare Corojo ...

whenever sombodies mouths off I use a punch. Clears things right up

Cut more cigars with oily wrappers....should take care of the rust problem.

Check these out:

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/lot.cfm?lotID=84813 

I bought a coupla these and they work very well, extremely sharp. You don't have to spend a lot. When/if they get dull you can sharpen them with a Dremel tool and if you punch the cigar before you put it in your mouth they don't rust near as much.

As far as punch or bullet cutters go, I don't use them! I use Xikar cutter and have been super happy with it! I have a v cutter that I have mangled (gonz, we need spell check on this board) a few nice cigars with, so I do not use the v cutter very often!

I guess it is just a matter of choice, hell, used to bite the damn things when I smoked the backwoods and cheapies!

Charlie

THL ... I got one of those, but the damn thing keeps coming unscrewed at the top end while in my pocket ... every time I go to use it, I have to find the little spring and reassemble it ...

The punch cutter I want is a Palio ... Avo has one very similar too ... it's got two blades, one is standard, the other is a larger size ... I had one of these at one time, but lost it ... there's nothing else quite like it and as I said above, there's nothing quite like the pleasure of having good, quality tools for whatever job you're undertaking ...

SteveS,
When I first got mine it was loose like that. Put a tiny (very, very, tiny) drop of superglue or loctite on the threads and tighten. I got 4 of them for $2 each. The regular CI price is about $10 as i recall. Used a V cutter for years and now I punch cut almost all of them using that cutter.

Thanks for the tip ... experienced a sorta "duh" reaction when reading it, like why the hell didn't I think of that ??? LOL

I use my Xicar blade on torps or anything else with a "pointy" end, the punch cutter on all the smokes with rounded ends ...

That's why I said almost all. The punch cutters don't work too well on the pointy ones. The "Bullets" offered here are, I feel, of a good quality. Nice heft and finish to them. I wouldn't have felt ripped if I had paid full price.

I've had some pretty cheap bullet punches that do end up rusting (no, I'm not smoking underwater) and dull very quickly. I have used my Xikar for 2 years and there are no signs of it slowing down.

I have all three types of cutters, depends on the diameter, or, type of cigar as to what I use.

I have a V cutter that works quite well on my Churhills, provides a bigger opening than a punch. Use punch on Corona's and smaller, and the twin blades for Topedos.

PS, She would never want you to use a rusty punch, lol,.

i'm certainly no expert, but i would kinda go along with culley. just depends on the smoke. but there were some great suggestions, and i've officially retired my rusty punch (that sounds like a drink involving scotch) until i get a new one. thanks guys.