Pierce or cut a cigar? With VIGIE, the question is settled before you even light it. This 3-in-1 cigar punch keychain combines three tools rarely carried together in a 70 mm knurled cylindrical capsule (90 mm with the ring). The first is a cigar punch: a 9 mm diameter stainless steel circular drill bit that pierces a clean hole in the head without opening the wrapper. The second is a 55 mm draw needle, hidden in the body and fixed on the ring side, to clear a cigar with too tight a draw. The third is a two-pronged holding fork, which is pricked into the foot to hold the cigar until the end without burning your fingers. Once unscrewed, the cap even becomes a small cigar rest. The metal alloy body is available in four colors: Black, Black and Gold, Gold and Blue. Hanging from your keys or slipped into a pocket or case, this 15 mm diameter cigar accessory follows its owner everywhere, from the living room to the patio.
BLACK
BlackMatte black body, understated and discreet, which blends into a bunch of keys
BLACK AND GOLD
Black and goldBlack body and gold drill bit tip, for an elegant contrast
GOLD
GoldEntirely gold, in the spirit of classic smoking accessories
BLUE
BlueSteel blue, metallic grey-blue reflections, more original
Three tools in one capsule
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9 mm punchThe stainless steel drill bit pierces a round and clean hole in the head: the wrapper remains intact.
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Hidden draw needle55 mm needle housed in the body, to fix a cigar with too tight a draw.
➤
Holding forkTwo 20 mm prongs that hold the foot of the cigar so you can enjoy it until the last puff.
★
Cigar rest capUnscrewed, the cap offers a 10 mm notch where you can place the cigar between two puffs.
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Keychain format70 mm long without the ring and 15 mm in diameter: it slips into any pocket.
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Four colorsBlack, Black and Gold, Gold or Blue, to match your lighter or case.
Stainless steel and metal alloy
A stainless steel blade, a metal body
A cigar punch is only as good as the quality of its cutting edge. On VIGIE, the working part, the circular drill bit, is made of stainless steel: a chrome-alloyed steel that resists corrosion and keeps a sharp edge over time. Its tip is carved with spiral grooves, and the grip is knurled so that fingers do not slip during rotation.
The body of the capsule is made of metal alloy, with a matte black, gold, or steel blue finish depending on the color. The knurling on the surface is not just decorative: it ensures a good grip when unscrewing the cap or turning the drill bit into the head of the cigar, even with slightly dry hands.
Pierce rather than cut
The discreet art of the punch
There are two ways to open a cigar. The guillotine cutter slices the head and opens the smoke passage wide. The punch, on the other hand, simply makes a round hole in the center of the head. The wrapper remains whole around the opening, the draw is more concentrated, and you find fewer tobacco strands in your mouth.
Many enthusiasts keep both tools and choose according to the cigar and the occasion. VIGIE plays precisely this role of pocket companion: the one you always have on you, hanging from your keys, when the cigar cutter has been left at home.
Its name comes from this constant, almost discreet presence: the capsule watches over you in your pocket, with its needle and fork ready to serve, from the first punch hole to the last puff.
How to pierce a cigar
The VIGIE ritual in four steps
1
Open: unscrew the cap to expose the circular drill bit, then place the cap flat on the table, notch facing up.
2
Pierce: place the drill bit in the center of the cigar head, press gently while turning a quarter turn, then remove.
3
Adjust: if the draw remains tight, gently pass the draw needle through the cigar to clear the passage.
4
Savor: place the cigar on the cap between two puffs and, at the end of the cigar, prick the fork into the foot.
Cigar punch or cigar cutter
| Criterion |
VIGIE (punch) |
Guillotine cigar cutter |
| Opening |
Round 9 mm hole in the center of the head |
Head cut across its entire width |
| Wrapper |
Remains intact around the opening |
Open, to be cut precisely |
| Draw |
Concentrated |
Wide and open |
| Strands in mouth |
Less frequent |
Possible if the cut is too low |
| Additional functions |
Draw needle, holding fork, cigar rest |
Cut only |
| Format |
70 mm keychain |
Varies by model |
Good to know: the punch is suitable for standard module cigars with a rounded head. For pointed heads (torpedo, pyramid) or very small modules, a guillotine cutter often remains more suitable: find our selection of cigar cutters. The cigars visible in the photos are for staging and are not included.
Enthusiast's tip: pierce before lighting, when the cigar is cold, and without forcing. A slow motion, accompanied by a slight rotation, gives a cleaner hole than dry pressure. After use, tap the drill bit to dislodge the tobacco debris before screwing the cap back on.
Specifications
| Type |
3-in-1 cigar punch keychain |
| Functions |
Punch, draw needle, holding fork, cigar rest cap |
| Length with the ring |
90 mm |
| Length without the ring |
70 mm |
| Capsule diameter |
15 mm |
| Drill bit diameter |
9 mm |
| Needle length |
55 mm |
| Holding fork |
2 prongs of 20 mm, 5 mm apart |
| Cigar rest notch |
10 mm |
| Body material |
Metal alloy, knurled surface |
| Drill bit material |
Stainless steel, spiral groove tip |
| Color |
Black, Black and Gold, Gold, Blue |
| Packaged weight |
Approximately 0.1 kg, packaging included |
Precautions: the drill bit, needle, and fork are sharp and pointed. Always screw the cap back on after use before putting VIGIE in a pocket, and keep it out of reach of children. Pointed objects may be refused in carry-on luggage: on an airplane, check with your airline and opt for checked baggage.
A cigar lover's gift
The little gift you keep on you
A gift for a cigar lover does not need to be bulky to be appreciated. VIGIE slips into a birthday card envelope, accompanies a Christmas box, or completes a Father's Day gift. The four colors allow you to match it to everyone's tastes: black for discretion, gold for classic, blue for originality.
For a more complete set, pair it with a torch lighter, a case, or a humidor: the punch then becomes the pocket companion of a living room setup.
Frequently asked questions
Why pierce a cigar rather than cut it?
Piercing or cutting a cigar is above all a matter of personal taste. The cigar punch opens a round hole in the center of the head: the wrapper remains whole around the opening, the draw is more concentrated, and you find fewer tobacco strands in your mouth. The guillotine cutter slices the entire head and gives a wider and more open draw. Many enthusiasts alternate between the two depending on the cigar, the occasion, or the mood. A cigar punch like VIGIE also has the advantage of its format: it fits on a bunch of keys and is always at hand, even when the cigar cutter has been left at home.
How do you use a cigar punch?
The motion is simple. Unscrew the cap to expose the circular drill bit, then place it well in the center of the cigar head, still cold and unlit. Press gently while making a slight rotation, without forcing, then remove the drill bit: it takes a small tobacco pellet and leaves a clean 9 mm hole. Then tap the drill bit to empty it before screwing the cap back on. If the draw still seems too tight, the draw needle hidden in the body allows you to clear the passage. All that remains is to light it, preferably with a torch lighter for a steady flame.
Is the punch suitable for all cigars?
The 9 mm punch is suitable for standard module cigars with a rounded head, which represent the vast majority of formats. For cigars with a pointed head, such as torpedoes or pyramids, or for very thin modules, a guillotine cutter is generally more suitable, because the punch hole would be too wide or off-center. The manufacturer does not communicate a numerical compatibility by module: in case of doubt, try it first on a cigar you know well. This is also the reason why many enthusiasts keep a pocket cigar cutter as a complement to the cigar punch.
What is the hidden needle for?
The 55 mm needle, housed in the body of the capsule and fixed on the ring side, is a draw needle. It is used to clear a cigar whose draw is too tight, for example when it has been rolled a little dense or has absorbed moisture. It is delicately introduced into the cigar to clear the passage of smoke, without forcing so as not to damage the wrapper or the sub-wrapper. It is a tool for fixing more than a systematic gesture: on a well-preserved cigar, the punch is usually sufficient. Remember to store it properly after use, as the tip is fine and sharp.
How does the holding fork work?
The holding fork is composed of two prongs 20 mm long, spaced 5 mm apart. When the cigar reaches its end and becomes too short to be held comfortably, prick the fork into the foot of the cigar, on the remaining unlit side. It then serves as a small handle and allows you to enjoy the last puffs without burning your fingers. It is a much-appreciated use by those who like to smoke their cigar until the end. After use, let it cool then wipe the prongs before storing the whole thing in the capsule.
How do you place your cigar with the cap?
Once unscrewed, the VIGIE cap becomes a small cigar rest. Placed flat on a table, it offers a 10 mm notch in which you can wedge the cigar between two puffs, without letting it roll or placing it directly on the tablecloth. It is a practical solution on the patio, on a trip, or at a friend's house, when no suitable ashtray is at hand. Make sure to place the cap on a stable and non-flammable surface, and always keep an eye on the lit cigar. Then screw the cap back on the drill bit before putting the tool back in your pocket.
Is VIGIE a good gift for a cigar lover?
It is a
gift for a cigar lover that is both useful and easy to slip into an envelope or box. It is suitable for experienced smokers who want a
cigar punch keychain always on them, as well as for newer enthusiasts who discover that a cigar can also be pierced. The four colors allow you to match it to everyone's personality. For a more complete gift, pair it with a torch lighter, a case, or a humidor from our
cigar universe. It contains no cigars: it accompanies those you already own. And delivery is free.
