Always use a cutter or cigar scissor with sharp blades. You should only clip off from 1/16” to about 1/8” of an inch. Since it is difficult to measure when you’re about to light the cigar, just measure about 2/3rds of the cigar’s cap. Do not cut the whole cap off. If you do, then as you smoke the cigar and moisten it with your lips, the cigar will open wider and you will eventually get tobacco particles on your lips or on your mouth. Some people actually chew the end as they smoke it. If that is the case, cutting the cap off will not affect you.