if (obj instanceof Cut) {
      // It might not really be a Cut<C>, but we'll catch a CCE if it's not
      Cut<C> that = (Cut<C>) obj;
      try {
        int compareResult = compareTo(that);
        return compareResult == 0;
      } catch (ClassCastException wastNotComparableToOurType) {
        return false;
      }
    }
    return false;
  }