Now THIS is a lighter!!

S

stitchawl

Joined
Jul 26, 2008
Messages
2,849
I bought one of these back in the mid '60's and a smoker
http://goinggear.com/images/ropelighter.jpg
I was in Marrakesh on the hippy backpacker trail and these things were THE lighters to use in an area where you had to pay for your matches.:thumbup:
Besides... they were cool. But I remember that they used to come with a LOT more rope than this one! How times do change...

They were reliable (as long as you kept them dry which wasn't much of a problem in the desert,) cost next to nothing, the 'fuel' lasted about 20 cartons of smokes (providing you 'remembered' to pull the rope back into the case and snuff out the ember. I lost my original one somewhere along the way, but now seeing it sold here, will immediately purchase another, even if just for the memories.

Stitchawl (when ever I think of the past it brings up so many memories...)
 
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Those are cool. I've made up a couple of primitive versions (no flint striker, just a tube with cotton cord) that I keep in my primitive firestarting kit. Just takes a spark from the flint and steel and presto, light stuff. :-)

I would love to find some of that type of cord. The stuff I'm using works ok.

Charlie
 
Hi Stitchawl,

Could you enlighten us on how it works? It looks like the top wheel/dial strikes a flint. But what is the rope - is that the tinder? Can't imagine that poly-rope catching a spark....Sorry confused - but interested.
 
kgd said:
Hi Stitchawl,

Could you enlighten us on how it works? It looks like the top wheel/dial strikes a flint. But what is the rope - is that the tinder? Can't imagine that poly-rope catching a spark....Sorry confused - but interested.
Click to expand...

While it looks like a poly rope, its probably a dyed cotton or has a cotton core. After being used once, what you have is essentially a rope with one end being char cloth. Feed it through as necessary and when you're done you pull it back into the tube and cover the hole to put it out.
 
I used jute twine that soaked in wax for my primitive version of it.. Works great and is waterproof..
 
Rupestris said:
While it looks like a poly rope, its probably a dyed cotton or has a cotton core. After being used once, what you have is essentially a rope with one end being char cloth. Feed it through as necessary and when you're done you pull it back into the tube and cover the hole to put it out.
Click to expand...

That's it; cotton clothes line rope. No poly or nylon, please! It is really just a "tinder box" without the box. A flint striker and modern lighter flint, a tube to hold and snuff out the burning ember, and the rope to be the 'char cloth.' You pull up the rope so it's just below the spark wheel, roll out the spark which get caught in the charred cotton of the rope, light your cigarette (or start your tinder) with that ember, then pull the rope back into the tube. There is a button wired into the end of the rope (which you must constantly re-adjust as the rope burns away) that caps the tube and snuffs out the ember. Very simple and very effective. Remember that 'wheel lock' rifles pre-date flint locks. Just a piece of burning cotton rope!


Stitchawl
 
When I was a kid (never mind tony :mad:), my dad and uncle, who were smokers had similar lighters. Somebody on this forum (might have been Ravaillac?) posted a picture of a similar lighter some time ago. Said they were available where he lived. I'm pretty sure it was in Europe, somewhere.

Doc
 
Thats a very nice lighter! i have one similar, the Wind King, but its no where near as nice. Uses coton sash cord for the tinder:

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