Peanut Lighters?

I had a countycomm one on my keychain for a while. The adjustable screw that retains the flint completely stripped out and the o-ring was a very poor fit. Countycomm has some great stuff, but the peanut lighter isn't one of them. I tossed the guts and use it as a storage capsule now.
 
The one I got from them, was wonderful, and I was able to light the fluid 1 month after filling it. The O-ring retained the fuel great.
 
I've had mine on my keychain for over a year and it works just fine. I did lose the original flint screw while replacing the flint but found a suitable replacement at work. I got mine from Countycom and actually just bought one for my bro. for Christmas. I'll post back here if he has any issues with his.
FWIW, I don't smoke and only use mine when another smoker needs a light or I have to light a candle, pilot light, camp fire or some other random task.
 
sodak said:
I bought several about 5 years ago, great idea, poor quality. I got the countycomm ones, only about half worked, the o rings came off very easily, and now the o rings on ALL of them have dry rotted off. I wouldn't recommend them unless they come up with a more robust design.

They are a good idea.
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How hard could it be to get some replacement O-Rings?
 
I have wondered about peanut lighters and if they are worthwhile for emergency use. From what you guys are saying, it sounds like countycom's are hit & miss. Is there a better quality peanut lighter available anywhere???
 
It might be relevant to know whether the duds were the chrome plated peanuts or the stainless ones with the flat bottom although I suspect they both have the same guts. Mine happens to be the stainless one.
 
I have a number of them from County Comm, I have given some of them away to friends. All of them work to this day, perfectly. Some had minor issues at first lighting but that was quickly fixed by pulling the wick out a bit. I have a couple that were bought in china town for about 2 bucks, those work just as well as the $10 lighters from County Comm. Just sayin'.
And for those of you here that are really rich, County Comm now has them in titanium. Shazam!
http://www.countycomm.com/tipeanutlighter.htm
 
sodak said:
I bought several about 5 years ago, great idea, poor quality. I got the countycomm ones, only about half worked, the o rings came off very easily, and now the o rings on ALL of them have dry rotted off. I wouldn't recommend them unless they come up with a more robust design.

They are a good idea.
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You need to give the o-ring a swipe with silicone grease to soften it and prevent the lid from cutting it. I also deburred the inside lip of the lid to prevent it from cutting the o-ring. It had a burr from the threading operation.

BB
 
Peanut Lighters a Failure ?
Have the County com model for 3 yr’s and just changed to a Ronson flint as that is what I use in my Zippo.
Have had No problems with it. Think back up, you have a car with how many Gallons of gasoline? put 2 flints under the soaking wick and still can be used as flint striker, as far as carbon build up just stroke your finger over the wheel and wick to wipe off and get some silicon grease to wipe over the rubber O ring to keep it from drying out once a year.
Silicon Grease-can is found at Dive shops or the "net" has to be used on anything that has an "O" ring or seal this is part of Preventive Maintenance [pm]
 
I have a couple in some kits, but I don't use any of them regularly. They do retain their fluid, though, which is a big plus.
 
Mine didn't light well at all. I found that if I trimmed the wick to expose fresh material, it lit up great. But after the wick charred from the next lighting, it wouldn't catch again until I trimmed the wick again. I could flick the wheel over and over and over, watching the sparks fly, teasing me, as if to say, "look how useless we are."

Screw that. The lighter's collecting dust in the bottom of my drawer. It works about as well there as in my pocket. I'll stick with a mini Bic.
 
zozo said:
Mine didn't light well at all. I found that if I trimmed the wick to expose fresh material, it lit up great. But after the wick charred from the next lighting, it wouldn't catch again until I trimmed the wick again. I could flick the wheel over and over and over, watching the sparks fly, teasing me, as if to say, "look how useless we are."
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Did you try filling it with lighter fluid? I've yet to trim the wick on my CountyComm peanut lighter or my cheap dealextreme versions - they all light easily, usually on the first strike.
 
The o ring really needs to sit in a groove rather than just being crushed down when you spin the cover down on it. Take a look at the o ring set up on your Quark or Fenix light for example. The peanut lighter is a good little lighter if you are careful, don't mean to bad mouth it guys, it just didn't work for me.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Mirrors my experience. Try using the flint from a depleted Bic lighter (you have to smash the lighter to access it). They are generally longer than the stock flint and therefore the spring exerts more pressure, resulting in a stronger spark.

Coincidentally, yesterday I was in my chest of goodies, saw my peanut lighter, gave it a spin and it lit right away. Probably hasn't been used in 8-10 months or so. Speaks very well of the air-tight closure.
Doc
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I have not used my peanut lighter in months as well. I gave it a spin and it fired right up. Can't do that with my zippo. I like the peanut lighter. I keep it as a back up.
 
sodak said:
I wouldn't know where to get o rings, but if you do, I'm all ears. The bigger point, however, is that I shouldn't have to, IMO.
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ace hardware stores carry o-rings of various sizes. or go here to search for just about anything you could ever need to fix/mod/hack something: http://www.mcmaster.com/

actually you should have to worry about o-rings... they get used up, like brake pads, they are a wear-item. food grade (NSF) silicone spray/gel once a year would have prolonged it.

every bit of gear you own requires maintenance, even if it's a simple as wiping it down.
 
M0NK said:
ace hardware stores carry o-rings of various sizes. or go here to search for just about anything you could ever need to fix/mod/hack something: http://www.mcmaster.com/

actually you should have to worry about o-rings... they get used up, like brake pads, they are a wear-item. food grade (NSF) silicone spray/gel once a year would have prolonged it.

every bit of gear you own requires maintenance, even if it's a simple as wiping it down.
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I have o rings in several 10 and 15 year old flashlights that are still just as supple as when they were brand new.

I'm glad that it works for some of you. Like another poster said, the rings need to sit in a groove, not just be crushed when screwing the cap on. On my lighters, just removing the cap would take the o-ring off with it, and I'd have to look for it on the floor somewhere. Not good for out in the woods.

I still think these are a good idea, but the execution was very poor, with little thought in the design. I guess the price should be a clue... A couple of upgrades could significantly improve this, but until that happens, no more for me. YMMV.
 
Years ago I bought a dozen peanut lighters from somebody in Oregon. Those lighters still work for me, even after ten months of BOB storage. That guy is gone now, so I recently bought some gift lighters from Country.com. I don’t know how well they will work. But my original source recommended putting two flints, one above the other, on top of the spring. That promotes a fiery spark and quick ignition. It was good advice.
 
I have two, one has been on my keychain for about three years and always lights at the first try.
Would love to get some of the flat-bottomed ones but countycomm doesn't like us foreigner types! lol.
On the other hand Going-gear is very Canada friendly but unfortunately they haven't had the peanut lighters of late.
Also for the past year or so i've been messing with the zplus zippo inserts.
I wouldn't depend on the zplus exclusively (or any butane really) but the zplus are generally reliable. I edc a zplused Zippo (on belt or in a pocket) and a peanut+small ferro rod on my keychain.
 
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