This Tiny EDC Knife Has an Ingenious Secret Power Hidden in the Handle

Legendary tactical brand Al Mar Knives devised this sneakily clever cutting tool with some surprising functionality.

Al Mar Havana Clipper Cigar Cutter in front of cigar and whiskey glass on wood desk

Published January 30, 2025

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

With so many EDC knives on the market, the additional features can sometimes make or break the one you choose. Even then, the maker and materials still matter greatly.

Luckily, Al Mar’s Havana Clipper is a well-made, hard-working cutting tool perfect for everyday carry. However, it also has a secret power built into the handle that could push it over the top for the right customer.

Al Mar Havana Clipper Cigar Cutter on a wood tabletop with blurry background — At only 4.66 inches total, the Havana Cutter is an especially compact EDC knife.

More than a gimmick

If you’re familiar with Al Mar Knives, it’s probably because the brand is legendary in the tactical knife space (its SERE fixed blade is especially renowned). So, seeing the Havana Cutter in the brand’s repertoire might surprise you. Despite its aggressive tanto blade shape, it’s a more EDC-friendly, compact tool than the brand typically offers.

Just because it’s an odd entry in the brand’s catalog doesn’t mean it’s of lesser quality. This knife still bears the hallmarks Al Mar is known for, like a hard-working D2 steel blade with a black titanium finish and durable FRN handle scales.

While it’s small — it measures just 4.66 inches total with a stout 1.75-inch blade — it’s still plenty capable. Its best feature, hidden away in its handle, also doesn’t sacrifice its overall quality.

Closeup of Al Mar Havana Clipper Cigar Cutter cutting a cigar — The cigar-cutting functionality adds much value to this knife without sacrificing quality or capability.

Up in smoke

This knife’s best, most interesting part is located on its handle. See that circular cutout? It’s the perfect size and shape for cutting cigars. Just open the blade, fit your stogie of choice, and close it for a nice, clean chop.

It’s not a completely novel concept — Böker, for instance, has its own version of a cigar-cutter knife — but it’s still rather unusual, especially for a brand with a reputation like Al Mar’s. It’s also, in my opinion, one of the best-executed examples, largely because it strays away from being a silly novelty.

Pricing and availability

While you can’t buy this knife directly from Al Mar Knives (the brand doesn’t sell directly), you can buy it for just $33 from Acme Tools (one of the brand’s preferred retailers).

That’s a small price to pay for a blade of this quality, especially if you’re a big-time cigar lover.