Plug Tobacco Cutters Plug tobacco was what folks would buy before manufacturers put chewing tobacco in little cans or pouches. The tobacco came in a big brick, and folks would buy a couple of inches at a time. To make the measuring and cutting easier, tobacco companies supplied the stores with plug tobacco cutters. These cutters were made of iron, and consisted of a rounded area that housed the blade, a lever that moved the blade, and a base with rule marks for cutting precise amounts. Since the tobacco company supplied the device free of charge, they might put a little bit of advertising on the plug cutter as well. Plug cutters were common from the 1800s through the 1940s, and came in several different styles and shapes. You’ll find them at some Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® restaurants, but they’re becoming scarce. Many collectors are quite fond of tobacco memorabilia, and naturally, they all like tobacco plug cutters.