Cigar Accessories Guide — Lighters, Cutters and Humidors Worth Buying

The cigar itself gets most of the attention, but the accessories matter more than many smokers initially appreciate. A soft-flame lighter introduces butane and chemical notes that interfere with delicate wrapper aromatics. A badly sized cut causes an uneven burn or a tight draw before the cigar has even been lit. And a collection stored without humidity control loses quality silently — you don’t notice until you smoke the last cigar and realise it’s a shadow of what it should have been.

This guide cuts through the options in each category and tells you what’s actually worth buying.

Lighters — torch vs soft flame

The primary decision in cigar lighters is torch (butane jet flame) versus soft flame (Bic-style). For premium cigars, torch is the correct choice. A torch flame burns clean, is wind-resistant, and allows precise lighting of the foot without touching the flame directly to the leaf. Soft flames introduce more volatile compounds during combustion that can add off-notes to the first third of the smoke.

Single-flame torch lighters are fine for most vitolas. Double and triple-flame models are better for large ring gauges (60+) where the larger foot needs more even heat across the surface.

S.T. Dupont Slim 7 Lacquered Lighter — $235.88

The S.T. Dupont Slim 7 is the thinnest torch lighter in the world — 7mm thick, 44 grams, and engineered to disappear into a jacket pocket while delivering a wind-resistant blue flame that performs in outdoor conditions. It’s available at LCC in three lacquered colorways: Black & Golden, Red & Golden, and Black & Chrome.

The Slim 7 is handmade in Faverges, France and refillable — unlike disposable torch lighters, it’s a lifetime purchase. Ships empty of gas; refill cartridges are sold separately. It’s a luxury object as much as a functional tool, which is why it sits alongside premium cigars rather than separately from them.

S.T. Dupont Slim 7 Lacquered — $235.88
Shop Slim 7 Lacquered →

S.T. Dupont Slim 7 Matt Lighter — $237.01

The Slim 7 Matt is the matte finish version — same 7mm profile, same wind-resistant blue flame, with a brushed chrome finish that’s understated where the lacquered version is bold. For smokers who prefer a more discreet aesthetic, the Matt is the version to choose.

S.T. Dupont Slim 7 Matt — $237.01
Shop Slim 7 Matt →

Both S.T. Dupont lighters at LCC are shipped directly from Coles of London. Shipping times may vary.

Cutters — guillotine, V-cut, or punch

The three main cutter types suit different cigars and different preferences. The right choice depends primarily on the ring gauge of the cigars you smoke most.

Guillotine (straight cut) is the most versatile option and the standard starting point. A clean guillotine cut removes the cap in a single clean action, works across all ring gauges from petit corona through double toro, and is the easiest cut to execute consistently. For smokers who haven’t yet developed a preference, a quality double-bladed guillotine is the right tool.

Use a sharp cutter — a blunt blade tears the wrapper rather than cutting it cleanly, which causes unravelling. Never use scissors unless they’re purpose-built cigar scissors. A quality guillotine cutter used properly lasts years.

V-cut (cat’s eye cut) creates a wedge-shaped channel rather than removing the full cap. It concentrates the draw through a narrower opening, which intensifies the flavour delivery and suits cigars with a 50-56 ring gauge particularly well. Many experienced smokers prefer V-cut for figurados (pyramids, torpedos, salomons) where the tapered head naturally suits a concentrated draw. Not ideal for very large ring gauges (60+) where the channel becomes too shallow relative to the foot size.

Punch cut creates a small circular hole in the cap. Very clean, no wrapper removal, good for cigars where you want a slightly restricted draw. Less suitable for smaller ring gauges (under 46) where the punch can remove too much of the cap relative to the size of the cigar. A popular choice for daily carry — many quality punch cutters are integrated into lighters or keychain tools.

Humidity management — what actually works

The simplest and most reliable humidity solution for collections up to 25–50 cigars is a two-way humidity pack system. Valet humidity packs maintain a consistent 65% relative humidity without calibration, distilled water, or monitoring — replace them every 2–3 months and your collection stays in condition.

Place the packs in any sealed airtight container — a mason jar, an acrylic humidor, or a traditional wooden humidor. The two-way system works equally well in all three: it absorbs excess moisture when humidity rises and releases it when the environment drops.

For a full guide to storage options including traditional humidors, the how to store cigars guide covers everything from a 5-cigar travel case to a full cabinet humidor.

The starter kit — what to buy first

If you’re equipping yourself properly for the first time, the priority order is:

1. A humidity solution first. Valet packs in an airtight container. Your cigars need to be in proper conditions before anything else.
2. A quality guillotine cutter. A double-bladed cutter with a clean action. This is not where to cut corners — a bad cutter damages good cigars.
3. A torch lighter. The S.T. Dupont Slim 7 at $235.88 is the premium option in the LCC catalogue. For a functional everyday torch lighter at a lower price point, a Xikar or Colibri from a specialist retailer covers the basics well.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a Bic lighter for cigars?

For occasional use, a Bic won’t ruin a cigar — but the soft flame makes even lighting difficult and the combustion products can introduce off-notes in the first few draws. A butane torch lighter is always the better tool for premium tobacco.

Does the type of lighter affect flavour?

Yes, particularly in the first third of the cigar. Torch lighters burning clean butane introduce minimal additional flavour during lighting. Soft flames and matches (unless cedar or sulphur-free) can add noticeable chemical notes during the lighting process that affect the opening of the smoke. Quality butane is also important — impurities in low-grade butane can cause off-notes even with a torch lighter.

What cut is best for a large ring gauge cigar?

For cigars with ring gauges above 58–60, a straight guillotine cut works best. V-cuts and punches become less effective at very large ring gauges because the geometry of the cut doesn’t translate as cleanly to the oversized cap. Use a wide-blade guillotine cutter and cut decisively to avoid a ragged edge.

The verdict

The S.T. Dupont Slim 7 is the premium choice in the LCC lighter catalogue — the Lacquered at $235.88 for those who want visual distinction, the Matt at $237.01 for understated refinement. For humidity management, Valet packs in a sealed container is the most reliable solution available. Start there, add a quality guillotine cutter, and your accessory setup is complete.