Best lighter? Water, weather, zombie proof?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
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Just poking around the net, and I came across the Brunton Firestorm lighter: http://www.amazon.com/Brunton-New-F...e=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1222918670&sr=8-1

But it's reviews don't seem to fantastic. I have several peanut lighters, which I like, and always have one on my keychain. But I'd like something that would allow me to visibly seen the fuel level. I don't have any issues with butane lighters, but I would like something small. A peanut size butane lighter would be fantastic.

I know mini-bics are great. But I'm wanting to learn what other options are out there for higher level lighters for wilderness use? (And yes, I also always have a firesteel with me)

L!
 
Well, I am also a zombie situation FREAK, so in a zombie situation its probably going to be for a VERY short time or a VERY long time. probably not between.

So that said! Short time, a common Bic will do. in a long time you never no where you going to go. you may have a zombie plan, but your "fortress" maybe breached. I am going to go to the jail in my town, but if that fails, i am heading to the mountains. Butane doesn't do well in high altitude, and i personally don't like it. Bic's have the same problem.

I would recommend one of your peanut lighters. In a zombie situation a fuel container maybe useful. either to fill you lighter or light a drum of gasoline to distract the zombies as you run away.

CARRY MULTIPAL FIRE STARTING DIVICES! Hell, buy that lighter, carry your peanut, and through a Bic in your pack! You don't want to be a loser and die from the cold, in a zombie war! :D:p
 
I haven't smoked in years, but I like to have a lighter around. I got a Brunton Firestorm and I like it. It's not a cigaret lighter. You have to unscrew the top and try not to lose it (but you can run a cord from the lanyard hole on top to the pocket clip).

As a reliable backup, for searing off threads or paracord ends or whatever, it's been handy.
 
naked said:
A peanut size butane lighter would be fantastic.
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I've been on a quest to find some little butane lighters as well. They are not sealed like the Brunton or the other "waterproof" models out there, but I did get all these samples from a Chinese manufacturer. The slim ones look promising and the darker one does have a window for fuel visibility:

butane1.jpg


butane2.jpg
 
Due to IKE I spent two weeks lighting candles and the stove when I was out of power. I had standard butanes, bar-b-que butanes and even a Zippo butane candle lighter. I was surprised how ofter it would take 3 or 4 attempts to get these lit. All had plenty of fuel. My standard Zippo lighter lit first time everytime (as long as I did not overfill it). Maybe a Zippo and a small container of lighter fluid is the way to go.
 
HornyToad said:
Maybe a Zippo and a small container of lighter fluid is the way to go.
Click to expand...

You are just not paying attention. This is a survival skills forum. You should have used a firesteel and an old carbon steel knife. Tear up clothes for tinder. It isn't all about survival, you know. It's about survival in style!

:p
 
Esav Benyamin said:
You are just not paying attention. This is a survival skills forum. You should have used a firesteel and an old carbon steel knife. Tear up clothes for tinder. It isn't all about survival, you know. It's about survival in style!

:p
Click to expand...

Firesteel? Real men start their fires by rubbing their arms together and waiting for the arm hair ember to drop into the tinder pile (bear poop, of course).
 
I've always wanted to like zippo lighters. The problem is they are good for smokers because of the frequent use, but I really don't use them that much, and when I do the fuel has usually evaporated. Having a fuel bottle handy is a solution, but just a 2nd part to the equation.

Also, I've fallen sucker to those little mini blow torch style ones with the electronic ignition twice now and they fail to impress me. They ignite, but the flame only seems to last a second or two then poof they go out. This is even after refuelling them so I don't know what the deal is. The only one I have of these types that works is a BBQ styled one. It works great, just can't get a portable one to work that well. At $12 a pop, I'm not very anxious to be find myself yet again disappointed.

Mini-bics work for me and they are small enough to stow in different spots. Putting one in a little ziplock "snack-sized" bag gives me a hell of a lot of protection for little weight or additional cost concerns.
 
My experience with refillable butane lighters, especially torch lighters is that they stop working in high altitudes (above the timber line), although the mini Bic always seems to work.

If you haven't tried your lighter(s) in every situation you plan on being in, do not count on it to work for you when you really need it.
 
you could get one of those cooking torches. i have one, and while moving i had to empty it, and it took a good hour before it ran out.
 
kgd said:
I've always wanted to like zippo lighters. The problem is they are good for smokers because of the frequent use,
Click to expand...

I'm not a smoker just a pyromaniac that likes Zippos with dragons and Chinese symbols. :D
 
I find all three to be good:

Silva stormproof butane lighter/rope burner
Mini-blowtorch
Mini-bic

P1010014.jpg
 
The lighter pictured above with the lanyard is a Brunton HELIOS, I have one and it works very well in wind or rain. :thumbup:
 
Actually, its made by SILVA, the guys who make compasses... but its a copy of the Helios, so they're practically identical, although I've only seen pics of the Brunton online...

The Silva, which I bought locally, was about a third of the price of the Brunton though.



Doug C said:
The lighter pictured above with the lanyard is a Brunton HELIOS, I have one and it works very well in wind or rain. :thumbup:
Click to expand...
 
a bic and a omni-seal bag. You'll be fine. Cold temperatures, bring something that will catch a spark. If I'm going to use a lighter out in the woods, away from people, this is all I've ever done.
 
Buffalohump said:
Actually, its made by SILVA, the guys who make compasses... but its a copy of the Helios, so they're practically identical, although I've only seen pics of the Brunton online...

The Silva, which I bought locally, was about a third of the price of the Brunton though.
Click to expand...
WHOOPS! :o
They look identical, thanks. :)
 
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