XIKAR

The history of Xikar starts in 1994 in Kansas. Kurt Van Keppel wanted to buy a good cigar cutter but found a lot of models, both high end and cheap ones, with low performance. Then, he started with Scott Almsberg to design a more ergonomic cigar cutter. The result was the Xi cutter, which they built in their garages and now is market leader.

Xikar originates from the word sikar, shich is said to be the first Spanish spelling of the word Taino used to describe cigars. Tainos were indigenous populations of Spain and Cuba, where Colombus first landed for the first time when he discovered the new world and tobacco. They changed the S to an X (resembles two blades) and made the X cut the i, like a cutter cuts a cigar!

Today the company produces a full suite of products around the cigar, like lighters, travel humidors, ashtrays, cigar cases, humidifiers etc. providing lifetime warranty.