I need a lighter!

Joined
Nov 9, 2009
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16
As the title says: I need a lighter! Alas, if it only were so simple...
I'm in search of a quality jet/torch lighter, as it has to be really wind- and weatherproof. I carried a true utility lighter for a bit, but was let down with the quality harshly. The spring keeping the cap open or closed broke, the ignition started to fail, and the paint came off extremely fast. Since I tossed the thing aside, I have been searching for a new lighter. Windmill, Colibri, Blazer, Coleman, Brunton, Zippo aand others have all caught my attention, but judging by reviews none of those has their design as well as QC at high enough a level. Can anyone recommend me a truly reliable jet lighter which I can get (shipped to or in) the Netherlands?
 
Thirded:)
Cabellas has a blaze orange model that has sever me well through daily carry including 3 trips to Iraq
 
Do you guys mean the Delta II or Delta Shockproof? Those, and the fielder, are the Winmill lighters I can buy here.
 
The windmill is probably the best investment, though I've found that it doesn't hurt to pick up a few of those Ronson torch lighters around. For the price, can't be beat.
 
My Windmill broke a little while back, I haven't gotten around to sending it in for replacement yet, I'm not even sure if I'm even going to bother.
 
The question of the day is, why do you want a jet vs a conventional flame lighter?

Jet lighters are, by nature of their design, unreliable. In order to achieve the jet flame, they require a precise mixture of butane, oxygen, and pressure. If any of those are off (low quality fuel, high altitude, clogged gas port, ect) the lighter will not light. Even the finest jet lighters in the world share this weakness, although, obviously, some are vastly better than others.

-by comparison, a standard butane lighter just needs to allow gas to leak out the valve, and a spark- hence the reason Bics work much better at altitude.

-Liquid fuel lighters of the Imco and Zippo variety are the most reliable of all. Provided they have a flammable liquid inside (naptha, turpentine, diesel, gasoline, ect) and a flint, and are kept warm by your body heat, they will work every time.

So, it comes down to, is the juice worth the squeeze? I've been a fireworks nerd fro most of my life, spent the last 10 years smoking, plenty of camping trips in between, so I have put lighters through their paces. The jet style lighter works great, until is dosn't, and then it dosn't work at all.

Better a good lighter that stays good, then a great lighter that turns to shit.

Ok, end of my lecture, here's a rundown on lighters.

pptcomparisson.jpg


Jet:
-Prince Pocket Torch PB-010: Made in Japan, currently the highest performance jet lighter in the world. It is a pocket blowtorch, not a lighter; it has a 4 gram fuel resevoir, has a switch that allows it to be locked in the 'on' position, and can be used for 20 minutes continuously, making it suitable for soldering and extreme fire starting. Its a great lighter for the bag, but I would never trust it for EDC.

pptfire.jpg


Butane:
-Clipper Metal: Clipper makes a metal version of their classic disposable lighter. I bought mine for $3 Euros. Its tough as hell, looks cool, is refillable, and has a refillable flint mechanism. Slightly more windproof than a Bic. It is probably the best bang for your buck out there. Not sure if you can buy them in the US, but your in Netherlands so should be at gas stations and smoke shops.

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-Mini Bic keychain: hardly glamorous, but the Bic is still one of the most reliable and extensively field tested lighters in the world. By super gluing a loop of paracord to the sides of the lighter, and then securing it with tape, you form a handy keychain/zipper pull so you will never be without it.

Keychain.jpg


Liquid fuel:
-Zippo: its a thirsty lighter that needs to be fueled every 2 weeks or sooner, but its the toughest and most reliable lighter on the planet. nothing even comes close, provided you don't loose it a Zippo will easily out last you. The Zippo has served with distinction in every US war since World War 2, and that's not because they look cool. They can use any available flammable liquid as fuel; with some spare flints kept in the bottom cotton your GTG. I carried an Orange Zippo for 5 years, every day, never once let me down. The Zippo has the highest level of wind resistance of any lighter, equal to that of my Windmill. However, the flame does tend to dance around.

greenmanzippo.jpg


-IMCO streamline: if the Zippo is the AK47 of lighters, the IMCO is the AR15. Not quite as rugged, but much more refined, the IMCO is made in Austria since the 1950's. Currently my EDC of choice, b/c its a bit more elegant, and has a double action mechanism that's really pimp for lighting girls cigarettes. For camping, the fuel body can be removed and used like a candle for lighting campfires, making it the superior woodsmans lighter to the Zippo. It is far more windproof than a bic, but about 1/2 as windproof as a Zippo.

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Hope that helps.
 
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