What's Your Latest Accessory Purchase?

[SoCal gunner]

Not the first time these have appeared, as they have been in the background on the “What Did You Smoke Today” thread.

My local had a sale on these, so I picked them up as Christmas presents to myself. Told my family they could wrap and give them to me from them.

Stinky Ashtray
Probably a bit bigger than needed. This is the deep bowl.



Xikar XO
I had avoided these in the past as they seemed gimmicky. The price was right and they are kind of cool.



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Always felt the same on the XO; intrigued but curious on functionality. Would over to hear what you think of it.

[Nature]

Always felt the same on the XO; intrigued but curious on functionality. Would over to hear what you think of it.

It's bulkier than my Xi1, both in dimension and weight, so not as convenient to pocket carry. I haven't tried that in real life. I don't want to scratch it up right away. No more thick than my key fob, but wider. All the pocket stuff is cumulative.

Blades are sharp, as should be expected from Xikar. I like that both blades close evenly and simultaneously. If I press on one side of the Xi, one side closes before the other. I don't think that this makes any practical difference though. As soon as the first blade meets resistance, the other blade also closes with presumably the same force. I think this is just a perceptual or sales feature.

The XO can accomadate larger cigars, up to 70 RG (vs 60 for Xi) but those aren't my preference anyway.
I sometimes have to fumble around to find the release button to open it. Being circular, I have to feel for the button or visually inspect it to see the location. Compare to the Xi with the teardrop shape, and the way it's held, the release button is intuitive and your thumb falls right on top of it.

All in all, it cuts a cigar fine. Is the quality or ease of cut better? I don’t think so. Do the planetary gears appeal to my mechanistic affinity? Absolutely. I chose this model over the XO Ensō just because the gears are visible.

As a tool for cutting cigars, it performs well, but not necessarily better than other quality cutters. What it adds is uniquness and style. It may give up a bit in ergonomics.


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[SoCal gunner]

It's bulkier than my Xi1, both in dimension and weight, so not as convenient to pocket carry. I haven't tried that in real life. I don't want to scratch it up right away. No more thick than my key fob, but wider. All the pocket stuff is cumulative.

Blades are sharp, as should be expected from Xikar. I like that both blades close evenly and simultaneously. If I press on one side of the Xi, one side closes before the other. I don't think that this makes any practical difference though. As soon as the first blade meets resistance, the other blade also closes with presumably the same force. I think this is just a perceptual or sales feature.

The XO can accomadate larger cigars, up to 70 RG (vs 60 for Xi) but those aren't my preference anyway.
I sometimes have to fumble around to find the release button to open it. Being circular, I have to feel for the button or visually inspect it to see the location. Compare to the Xi with the teardrop shape, and the way it's held, the release button is intuitive and your thumb falls right on top of it.

All in all, it cuts a cigar fine. Is the quality or ease of cut better? I don’t think so. Do the planetary gears appeal to my mechanistic affinity? Absolutely. I chose this model over the XO Ensō just because the gears are visible.

As a tool for cutting cigars, it performs well, but not necessarily better than other quality cutters. What it adds is uniquness and style. It may give up a bit in ergonomics.


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(Immediately scrolls up to see gears)

I have the same... what did you call it? "mechanistic affinity". I love watches that give you a peek at the inner workings.

It does drive me a bit batty that my XI prefers closing one side over the other. I notice that effect less on the lotus jaws cutter I favor. I think the locked in gearing sounds wonderful, even if it adds complication.

[Nature]

(Immediately scrolls up to see gears)

I have the same... what did you call it? "mechanistic affinity". I love watches that give you a peek at the inner workings.

It does drive me a bit batty that my XI prefers closing one side over the other. I notice that effect less on the lotus jaws cutter I favor. I think the locked in gearing sounds wonderful, even if it adds complication.

LOL!


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