Four New Finishes Coming to XIKAR’s Xi3
XIKAR’s popular Xi cutter has been no stranger to high-end limited editions, including offerings customized by the scrimshaw artist, Rich “HutcH” Hutchings. At IPCPR 2014, the Kansas-based company will introduced two new cutters customized by HutcH, the Xi3 Apple Coral and Xi3 Tiger Coral.
As their names imply, both cutters use the specific coral handles. The dark lines of tiger coral against the lighter beige background can give the appearance of a tiger’s coat. Apple coral is much more red in color, typically found in the Indian or Pacific ocean according to the company.
Both cutters retail for $399.99. XIKAR stresses that its coral is harvested in an environmentally friendly manner with the pieces being collected from the ocean floor after the coral has broken off from a large reef.
Two other high-end Xi3s are also debuting at the show, the Xi3 Phantom ($149.99) and Xi3 Pavé Noir X ($499.99). The Phantom uses carbon fiber handles, bead blasted matte black PVD-plated body and PVD-plated stainless steel blades to give it a sleek and stealth look. It’s a sharp contrast to the Pavé Noir X, which includes black cuban zirconia stones in the handles to form the XIKAR X logo.
The Xi3 features the company’s signature butterfly design where the side of the cutters expand after the spring-loaded trigger is pulled down. Two 440 stainless steel blades converge in the center of the opening to cut cigars as large as 60 ring gauge.
Update (July 10, 2014) — The original version of this story incorrectly stated that the XIKAR Xi3 Phantom retailed for $499.99, it retails for $149.99.
I am an editor and co-founder of halfwheel.com/Rueda Media, LLC. I previously co-founded and published TheCigarFeed, one of the two predecessors of halfwheel. I have written about the cigar industry for more than a decade, covering everything from product launches to regulation to M&A. In addition, I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff here at halfwheel. I enjoy playing tennis, watching boxing, falling asleep to the Le Mans 24, wearing sweatshirts year-round and eating gyros. echte liebe.
Charlie Minato
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