Sigmund Freud once said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Any self-respecting cigar smoker, however, will tell you that a cigar is far less a cigar when the correct arts are not applied to the preparation of the cigar and the execution of the act itself. The first act in the ritual is cutting the cigar cap, and the best way to do this is with a table top cigar cutter. The cap is the part that you put in your mouth. It is formed by the outer wrapper leaves twisted down over the end of the cigar to stop it from falling apart. It must be cut clean so you can draw the full flavor and aroma from the cigar.

I Cut, I Cut!

There are a number of tools for cutting cigars, from special small scissors to small, pocket-sized double or single-bladed guillotines. But for the true cigar connoisseur who needs a straight clean precise cut or for someone who just wants to show off, the only way to go is a table top cigar cutter. A table top cigar cutter is not portable and is the height of ostentatious living.

Look Sharp - Literally!

You wouldn't believe, it but there are actually three different ways of cutting the cap. One is to simply lop a hole through it with a specially designed punch. The second option is to use a small guillotine which cuts straight through. Or, you could use a wedge out of the cap. The third way is to do it in style with a table top cigar cutter. A table top cigar cutter is fitted with a range of surgical steel blades for a range of different cuts and cigars sizes. Why the need for a surgical steel? Well, the cigar gets its full flavour and aroma flowing when the cap is cut as cleanly and neatly as possible. A clean and neat cut is one where the cigar isn't squashed or there are no straggling ends of the tobacco. Finely honed, razor sharp hardened surgical steel definitely ensures the cleanest cut.

While the more standard "push-down" table top cigar cutter relies on a double guillotine blade, the more luxurious model of table top cigar cutter features a lever attached to a barrel-type system. This lever rotates a complex system of razor sharp blades, which converge upon the unsuspecting but grateful cigar. This type of table top cigar cutter also showcases a range of size setting, which allow for clean slicing of cigars of all sizes.

Worthy of Mario Puzo

Those of you who fancy yourselves as aspiring Mafioso will also appreciate the "intimidation" factor or the "godfather" impression created by the table top cigar cutter. Watch as guests or nervous employees sitting in your office begin to sweat as you sharply and quickly bring the blade down on a thumb-sized, premium, hand-rolled Cuban. Offer it to them just to see how much they are still trembling. So even if you're smoke-free, a table top cigar cutter may be just the trick for scaring your employees into subservience.