First off.this is absolutely NOT a dig on Xikar. I’m a huge fan and have been for many years. I own no fewer than a dozen pieces of their product, and believe they produce a quality product. This is merely an honest request to see if someone has a solution for this. The Xi1 pictured above is one of my favorite cutters. It’s been a trusty companion for an unfathomable number of gatherings, clipping hundreds – if not a couple thousand – of mine and any cutterless cohorts’ cigars. But, in recent months it has begun to stick. Badly. The picture shows what happens when I press the button down these days. It simply won’t open without several gyrations and attempts at prying it open to make the cut. This wouldn’t be a huge issue, except it also sticks when actually making the cut.which often tears or dings the head of the cigar producing a poor cut. A quick Google search produced advice that it was merely getting sticky from bits of tobacco leaf, oils or other detritus. The solution is a quick soak and/or scrub with rubbing alcohol.
So that’s what I did.
I’ve soaked. I’ve scrubbed. I’ve removed the button and really gone to town with an alcohol-drenched Q-Tip in ever nook, cranny and crevice. It’s about as clean as a lay person can get it. Something is still “catching” every time.
I know – Xikar has a great warranty. I could send it back and they’d likely repair/replace it without even question. I’ve done such before with lighters. However, I am trying to avoid that if there’s another good solution I could just do myself and save the time and trouble of shipping, etc. Yes, I have other cutters that would suitably stand in during transit. I get it. I’m just “that guy.” If there’s a quicker way, I’m up for it.
(And no, I’m not looking for advice on a different brand. I have plenty. This particular cutter just has some sentimentality behind it.)
@XIKARinc looks fine to me. If there is something wrong Xikar will always take care of you. #xikarforlife
@XIKARinc it’s not snipping a cigar?
@XIKARinc email Xikar and send it back they have a warranty
First off, did you guys commenting read what Kip wrote above? He knows that Xikar has a warranty that will repair or replace.
Second, the only thing I can think of is that there is still sticky tobacco in the cutter causing it to stick like that. It may need to be fully disassembled to correct. I wouldn’t attempt that myself, though. Send to Xikar explaining that you want it repaired, that replacement isn’t an option.
Why not soak it in alcohol for a few hours. I’m sure it would be able to penetrate the innards and fix the tobacco issue. Unless something is tweaked.
That was my first guess too, Larry. I tried that, but it didn’t seem to help. I’m just going to send it back one of these days…
Maybe a bent blade?
I just had one of mine apart due to a loose screw (on the cutter, not in my head). It was sticking or rather, not closing with a solid click. I accidentally took it apart and learned that even though I also soaked mine in alcohol there was still residue stuck in other parts of it.
First: shine a light into the sides with the blades open. You should see a small metal spring. Not a coil spring but a price of metal that spreads the blades apart. It should be visible but not gapped.
If that good then it’s dirty. If it’s out of place (you see a gap between it and the cutter blade) then something is amiss. When I pulled mine apart I found the actual coil spring that holds the metal spring mechanism in place was out of whack. I disassembled it, cleaned it all then reassembled it. Like new now.
It’s not easy but not hard. Just pay attention to where things are or use one of your other cutters as an example of where things are placed.
My friend had this issue and put it in the dishwasher. Seemed to work for him.