I always use a punch cutter on smaller ring cigars (48 ring and under) and have always had good results. When I've used a punch on bigger ring cigars about half the time they tunnel and go out. I don't have this problem with the same cigars when I use a guillotine. Anyone else notice this happening to them?
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No Doug, I think it just you. Actually I can say that I have had this problem. Lets see if anyone else does. Perhaps you are not using big enough of a punch!!!!
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I've never had this problem. I use a Xikar punch and most of my cigars are 50 and up.
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When I have a cigar 56+ rg I usually use the punch and make a clover sort of shape on the top of it. I do find that only on hole in the center of a 56+ maes for less smoke, but I never noticed any tunneling.
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By principle, I always use a punch, and by principle, I never buy anything larger than 50rg. When I do end up with something as huge as a 52 by lack of choice, I punch it more than once (5 times, to be exact, in a 'cross' shape). Thus, I've never encountered this, but I think I'm disqualified I guess.
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Never had this problem, and I always punch bigger RG cigars.
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:-)
Never had a problem either.
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I have no more burn problems with large RG than I do with small RG, but I don't have many problems with burn at all. Why don't you try and cut the cap off with a knife and see if you have the same problem as you do with a punch? What kind of cigars are you smoking that tunnel? If they are CBID specials, I can tell you without a doubt it's the cigar. If you have the same problem with higher end cigars, I would suggest checking your RH level (probably fine, but have to ask), and making sure you are getting a good and even light (everyone screws this up from time to time). Those two factors affect the burn much more than anything other than the quality of the roll (weak/new torecedors make inconsistent cigars), just MHO.
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Guys I think it's called buy a bigger punch!:-)

The Xicar that one of the other brothers mentioned is much
larger than yoru standard pinhole punch on the cheap plastic
ones....
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Are you refering to the twist punch or the other Xikar punch, don't remember exactly what they are called.007 and 008?
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how are you guys punching multiple times w/o messing up the cap? Sometimes the cap cracks on me wth just 1 punch and you're making shapes? lol..

I must have poor punch technique
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Press lightly and give it a couple twists as if you were trying to start a screw, then change spots and repeat. Similar technique to Ratters patent pending 'Cranial Screw Top Method.' :-)
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Also, try wetting the cap with some saliva. Helps with the cracks.
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