To Bic or not to Bic?

nephildevil said:
when we say "bic" in belgium, we mean a ballpoint pen(bic,the company makes them too)

so reading this is just way too damn confusing, i see u guys starting fires with cheap throwaway ballpoints all the time

hahahahaha!!
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:eek: You mean you guys didn't get the firestarting pamphlet from bic pens division?:D
 
longbow50 said:
:eek: You mean you guys didn't get the firestarting pamphlet from bic pens division?:D
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wait, how do you guys start fires with surf and windsurf boards :confused::D

..or kayaks?!

oh yeah.. on topic.
as all have said.. why the hell wouldnt you just throw one in.
dont rely soley on it, but its convenient if it works.
 
One thing to keep in mind about any butane lighter is when butane gets below 40 deg (F) is does not evaporate very well. Back when I was 14 I bought a butane backpacking stove. On my first hike up on Mt Rainier the temp dropped down to freezing and the stove was outside the tent over night. The next morning I went to fire it up and the stove would not light. I did not even hear any hissing sound when the fuel was turned on.

After talking with another seasoned hiker he told me to put the tanks in my sleeping bag over night. So I have never been a butane fan after that. The next summer I bought a Coleman Peak one multi-fuel. I still have that stove and it still works great.

For most circumstances butane lighters are very handy and dependable. I just would not rely on them if I knew the temps were going be low.

Alot of butane is now blended with propane so it has lower evap temp. I have no idea what blend is used in lighters.
 
Mini bics like already said weigh next to nothing, and are one of the single most helpful inventions to mankind--FIRE IN HAND! When I go camping I take a few and put them in different places so I don't have to search. But it is recommended that you have more than one source of firemaking with you. But for EDC I keep one in my truck and car as well. They are great, even if you are a non smoker.
 
Also a non-smoker, but Bic (or another lighter) is always in my pocket. I find them useful for many things such as burning the ends of cut cords and of course makin' fire :D
 
Personally, I cannot resist burning off dandelions ... nothing against dandelions, mind you, just love to flick my Bic!

Seriously, I quit smoking so many years ago, I can't remember why I ever smoked in the first place. But I like to carry a few books of matches or a small lighter with me just-in-case.

Recently, I picked up a Brunton FireStorm. This is IT. It isn't even configured for smokers, since you have to unscrew and completely remove the top to use it!
 
nephildevil said:
when we say "bic" in belgium, we mean a ballpoint pen(bic,the company makes them too)

so reading this is just way too damn confusing, i see u guys starting fires with cheap throwaway ballpoints all the time

hahahahaha!!
Click to expand...

Funny you should say that, I tried to make my first fire piston ( a "proof of concept" model) out of a Bic pen shaft. I just barely realized before the first test fire that the damn thing might blow up in my hand if I had a good seal.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Personally, I cannot resist burning off dandelions ... nothing against dandelions, mind you, just love to flick my Bic!

Seriously, I quit smoking so many years ago, I can't remember why I ever smoked in the first place. But I like to carry a few books of matches or a small lighter with me just-in-case.

Recently, I picked up a Brunton FireStorm. This is IT. It isn't even configured for smokers, since you have to unscrew and completely remove the top to use it!
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That is a cool lighter, let us know how long a fill lasts.:thumbup:
 
swedishdwarf said:
Funny you should say that, I tried to make my first fire piston ( a "proof of concept" model) out of a Bic pen shaft. I just barely realized before the first test fire that the damn thing might blow up in my hand if I had a good seal.
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hehehe so it IS possible :D
 
I hate Bics. I've caused them to "blow"-apart several times, just trying to melt paracod. Also, the wheels get nasty hot with prolonged use.

I prefer a Zippo. A fill will last about 14-17 days, works well under most wind conditions. Also very versatile as to fuel.

I also bought a small, refillable, butane lighter. All plastic, looks disposable but can be refilled. Plastic push button doesn't get hot, and the butane flame melts paracord without getting gunked up like my zippo.And did I mention, it cost 75 cents.
 
No one has yet to mention the familiarity of Bics. Most any John Doe can use them.

You're out with a group; carrying your Doans, ferro rod, fire piston or whatever your pyro choices are and you are suddenly incapacitated. Someone in your group would be able to start a fire with a Bic. Imagine someone with no experience, freezing trying to get their first fire started with a ferro rod.
 
Love the Bic. Full sized, minis, lots and lots of em'. Great tip about the o-ring on pg 1.

-DT
 
Saunterer said:
No one has yet to mention the familiarity of Bics. Most any John Doe can use them.

You're out with a group; carrying your Doans, ferro rod, fire piston or whatever your pyro choices are and you are suddenly incapacitated. Someone in your group would be able to start a fire with a Bic. Imagine someone with no experience, freezing trying to get their first fire started with a ferro rod.
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That statement might just be "The nail that tips the iceberg." for me to throw one in my pack, car and edc... thanks. Hopefully they never get used.:p

Rick
 
B Finnigan said:
One thing to keep in mind about any butane lighter is when butane gets below 40 deg (F) is does not evaporate very well.
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Indeed, at freezing point of water, butane remains a liquid = no flame. So they stay inside insulation layers in Winter.

Alot of butane is now blended with propane so it has lower evap temp. I have no idea what blend is used in lighters.
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Pure butane.
 
If anybody knows where I can get flat bottomed peanut lighters please let me know. By peanut light I mean these http://www.countycomm.com/peanutlighter.htm the ones pictured in the link as well as most others I've seen have rounded bottoms, and I would like some with flat bottoms. I know they exist, I just can't find them.
 
Tolly said:
If anybody knows where I can get flat bottomed peanut lighters please let me know. By peanut light I mean these http://www.countycomm.com/peanutlighter.htm the ones pictured in the link as well as most others I've seen have rounded bottoms, and I would like some with flat bottoms. I know they exist, I just can't find them.
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Hey Tolly,

I probably should have mentioned in my email response that oregon had them custom made in China for the sale he did. I don't think anyone regularly produces them.
 
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