Recommend me a good lighter

ThorTso said:
...a few light-up problems a while ago but I think it was a minor blockage which seems to have sorted itself out when I dropped it...
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I love it when I can fix a problem object by dropping it. :)
 
i love my colibris BUT i have had to send each (2) in for service because of ignition probs, which they fixed, point being i wonder how reliable they are, and they arent cheap either.
 
SIFU1A said:
i love my colibris BUT i have had to send each (2) in for service because of ignition probs, which they fixed, point being i wonder how reliable they are, and they arent cheap either.
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Try using a better brand of fuel. The best you can find or afford. That should alleviate the ignition problems.
 
I've had several of the Colibri lighters over the years, one that I bought and three or four that I received as "smoker's rewards" (smoke so many cigarettes, send-in and redeem coupons, receive gift/prize). They have all developed "ignition problems" and I have given up on them. It'd be great if containers of butane were labeled with something like "Clean enough for a Colibri lighter!" but they aren't labeled that way. Personally, I've decided that the "problem" with Colibri lighters is with the lighter itself, as I kept getting "ignition problems" no matter which brand of butane I used to refill them, or how much it cost.

I prefer to follow the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle. If any of my Zippos won't ignite, the biggest problem is a lack of fuel, the next being that it needs a new flint. I couldn't fix a Colibri on my own, but I can get my Zippos up and running within minutes without sending them off, probably for weeks, for someone else to fix. My backup lighter is one of the ubiquitous Bics.

If you simply want a reliable lighter/fire source, a Zippo or a Bic will fill the bill without any of the "gee whiz" factor, and probably for a fraction of the cost. While I think it's cool that a lighter can melt a penny, I've never been in any emergency situation where melting a penny was a high priority. I guess that one of the blowtorch-like lighters could be used for limited welding, but, because I don't know how to weld, it isn't something that I require in a lighter.

If you decide to get a Zippo, the best way to fight the lighter fluid evaporation problem is to simply pack your Zippo with a bottle of lighter fluid and fill it when you need it. My Zippo always works unless it's empty of fuel, and it can be refilled with a simple 10-second squeeze on a lighter fluid bottle (or else it's too full, and can leak and cause a chemical burn to skin...).

Just my 2-cents' worth,
GeoThorn
 
Carry a regular stainless zippo on my hip, just top it off once a week. Spare flint in the felt pad.

my backups are butane...
fancy one that I found on the road, flame goes green after it heats up a hunk of metal(copper?)...
and a butane torch from canadian tire, for about $6-7. takes a butane lighter style refill... can buy 2 extra inserts for about $10, though at 20min of burn time on high on one insert, it's easier to just pack the fuel.
 
I eventually had problems with all of my butane lighters, high-end and low, until I stopped using cheap butane refills. I finally got the good ones cleaned up by their manufacturers, bought a batch of high-quality King butane, and have not had a single problem since.

For what it's worth my favorite lighters are the Solo Laser Slim and the KGM Vector Gear.

--Bob Q
 
if you live in cold weather or will be using it for camping you should get the zippo, it works great in cold weather and can use many fuels, white gas, gasoline, zippo fuel, ect
the only drawback is that you have to refill it a lot if you just want a lighter to carry around get the bruton firelight
 
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