Suggestions on a cigar lighter?

[Solemnsaint]

I have used matches, Bics, cedar sticks, and bright ideas to light my cigars but I am getting lazy now. I want a nice cigar lighter. Sturdy, classy, and reasonably priced are the variables that I would like to consider. Any experiance in quality cigar lighters? I was told that Xikar is a good brand. Any others? What are some other things I should consider when selecting a good lighter?
I'm so glad to be able to pull this sort of advice from good ol' B&B-

[KenS]

When I still smoked, I used a "Blazer Tank Lighter" for my cigars. Granted, you can't call it classy, but it works quite well, and is reasonably reliable.

Ken.

[Veritas II]

I have several, but am particularly fond of my Evertorch dual flame lighter. There are other finish options than the one shown in the video below. Mine is black enamel with gold accents. The only drawback to this lighter is that it is not overly windproof. There are several on the 'bay now (NIB) for $49.95 BIN plus $2.75 shipping. This is in line with the MSRP. Search "ever torch lighter."

The video doesn't show it well, but the lighter has a very distinctive "ping" sound when opened. The sound and looks are very similar to S. T. DuPont lighters that cost three to five times as much. The DuPont's, however, are not dual flame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo91vL5WmeM

[Mazeman]

No matter how much you pay for them, torch lighters are trouble-prone. So if you must own a torch, get one with a lifetime warranty (Xikar has this, among others).

My favorite lighter right now, for both cigars and pipes, is the soft flame Corona Old Boy (http://www.milantobacco.com/corona_pipe_lighters.htm). Sturdy, reliable, good fuel capacity, and classy. They come in a variety of colors.

[Jwolf24601]

Like my Zippo for lighting cigars. Would love to have a DuPont

[Veritas II]

No matter how much you pay for them, torch lighters are trouble-prone. So if you must own a torch, get one with a lifetime warranty (Xikar has this, among others).
I have found this to be true with some lighters, not so with others. I have a (discontinued in 1998) Prometheus Zeus that has given me over ten trouble-free years. Conversely, I have owned several other brands that have failed after a few months, including Prometheus.

[Snipersnest]

I like matches for cigars, best. I have a brass Marine Corps Zippo, fitted with a Z-Plus insert and a Dupont.

[crankymoose]

I have a Colibri dual flame and really like it, but one thing I found out with it primarily but also with a few other torch lighters I have is some don't work too good if at all with cheap butane fuel (ronson). I use only the Colibri fuel now and never have any more issues with any of my torch lighters and find that the time between refills is longer then it was when I was using (trying to use) the cheaper fuel.

[jazzman]

No matter how much you pay for them, torch lighters are trouble-prone. So if you must own a torch, get one with a lifetime warranty (Xikar has this, among others).

My favorite lighter right now, for both cigars and pipes, is the soft flame Corona Old Boy (http://www.milantobacco.com/corona_pipe_lighters.htm). Sturdy, reliable, good fuel capacity, and classy. They come in a variety of colors.

Also my favorite lighter. I think the soft flame leads to a better smoking experience than a torch--no chance of charring the tobacco into a nasty-tasting state.

If the price puts it out of your definition of reasonable, I would also recommend the traditional Zippo, with Zippo brand fluid. I have not had problems with the "lighter fluid taste" problem that some folks complain of, particularly when I use high-quality fluid and let it burn for a couple of seconds before touching it to the cigar. There's also a cool factor involved with Zippos that you can't find with any other lighter.

[krevo]

Xikar. When they break (and they seldom do) you can take it to the B&M you bought it from for a complete no questions asked replacement.

I've managed to break a number of Colibris, Blazers, etc.

[mouscacha]

firebirds are cheap, but they're not as durable as other lighters. I'd also recommend xikar and dupont, but I think you said something about inexpensive.

As most have stated, torches are accident prone, and can clog or have their elements broken. I've definitely broken and lost most of them, so I can't condone their length of life. However, they are the best at lighting a cigar, unless you're willing to pay a pretty penny for butane flame lighters, which are usually in the $500 category (i.e. dupont, dunhill, and etc.)

[Poodle Soup]

Im a zippo fan all the way. Use the actuall zippo fluid and that first pull wont be that bad. And for torch liters, use an actuall mini torch(people call them crack torches around here). The ones that look like a micro propane tank :p they seem to work really good

[chjome]

Vector Pyro Vintage Flint Table Lighter (http://www.neptunecigar.com/pr/vector_pyro_vintage_flint_table_lighter.aspx)

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/410/arnoldschwarzeneggercig.jpg

[dpm802]

I like matches for cigars, best. +1

Wooden matches are best, with a long stick. Strike it on the side of the box, and wait until the flare-up dies down and the stick is on fire, not the match-head.

Hope and pray that you get your cigar completely lit before you burn your fingers, but with a little bit of practice and some decent matches, that shouldn't be a problem.

[tchmango]

Veritas, that is a very nice looking option to the Dupont. As a side my Dupont appears to be dual flame. It will hold a charge for ever. Have come back to it after a year and it always works.

Beyond the Dupont tend to favor the Zippos. Have been trying the Zippo Blues but they just don't seem to function very well. Small gas reserve as well. The regular Zippos just work and have an understated class about them. Just my 2 cents.

[Snipersnest]

+1

Wooden matches are best, with a long stick. Strike it on the side of the box, and wait until the flare-up dies down and the stick is on fire, not the match-head.

Hope and pray that you get your cigar completely lit before you burn your fingers, but with a little bit of practice and some decent matches, that shouldn't be a problem.

I generally use two matches, it gives a broader flame.

[squirrel_nut_zipper]

Ronson Jetlite. The snobs will roll their eyes at the mere mention of this lighter, but for about $4.50 if you can find them locally (check Rite Aid), they can't be beat.

Shoot, you can have a whole collection of them for what one Xikar costs:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Display-12-Ronson-Jetlite-Butane-Torch-Lighters-New-/280520727706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4150569c9a

[DE Shaver]

I'm a fan of the Zippo lighter because you can purchase them in wide variety of forms, with many impressive designs. The the Zippo has a broader, softer flame, which is ideal for cigars. Additionally, they are quite wind resistant, which is an important feature in my book as I find myself outdoors (usually due to legalities) more and more to enjoy a good smoke. If you purchase a Zippo, use the lower odour reformulation. I don't believe the old formulaiton is still available but just bear that in mind. As a personal preference, I avoid "torch" lighters, largely due to the fact I use pipes, but they do make cigars easy to light in the wind.

[squirrel_nut_zipper]

The Zippo has a broader, softer flame, which is ideal for cigars.

Actually, the more focused flame from a torch lighter is best for cigars. The proper way to light a cigar is to toast the end with the heat from the flame without touching the flame (think of toasting a marshmallow). Torch lighters emit a very not blue flame that makes cigar toasting a quick and easy task and helps to create a nice looking and even burning stick.

Zippo flames are much too bouncy and it's easy to suck too much heat into the cigar while lighting it, which makes it harsh tasting.

[jsrdrnr]

Be sure you get a torch lighter. Which ever brand you use, use that brand of lighter fluid. I have a ronson that I got for 5 bucks and works great, but you can only use ronson fluid in it or it will clog up and I have the same problem with the zippo torches. If I keep the fluids matched with the lighters, I dont have any problems. Both are good in the wind and I get good lights on my cigars. My best advice is to find a lighter you like in your price range and and pair it with the same brand of fluid. I have also heard great things about Xikar, though I have not had personal experience with it.

[Neuromancer]

I have several Blazers, from the Evo to the CG-001 and the Little Buddy...just about any Blazers are good values...

[s1mp13m4n]

I use a Ronson torch lighter for my cigars. They are very inexpensive at $3 and you can get them just about anywhere.

[weenerdog3443]

sorry but I hate and will never use lighters for cigars again.. Hemp wicks work great. Also if you have the patience for it and its during the day I like to use a magnifying glass, you know like when you were a little kid and burned ants. Works great and its fun

[shkorc]

No matter how much you pay for them, torch lighters are trouble-prone. So if you must own a torch, get one with a lifetime warranty (Xikar has this, among others).

My favorite lighter right now, for both cigars and pipes, is the soft flame Corona Old Boy (http://www.milantobacco.com/corona_pipe_lighters.htm). Sturdy, reliable, good fuel capacity, and classy. They come in a variety of colors.

+1 I'm also extremely happy with the purchase of an Old boy lighter.

[GarageBoy]

Be sure you get a torch lighter. Which ever brand you use, use that brand of lighter fluid. I have a ronson that I got for 5 bucks and works great, but you can only use ronson fluid in it or it will clog up and I have the same problem with the zippo torches. If I keep the fluids matched with the lighters, I dont have any problems. Both are good in the wind and I get good lights on my cigars. My best advice is to find a lighter you like in your price range and and pair it with the same brand of fluid. I have also heard great things about Xikar, though I have not had personal experience with it.

I would actually get triple or quadruple refined fuels rather than using the match the brands dealy. Ronson butane is useless...

[DE Shaver]

+1 I'm also extremely happy with the purchase of an Old boy lighter.

A smoking companion of mine uses an Old Boy and loves it. He always telling me to dump my Zippo pipe lighter and "man up" to an Old Boy. :lol:

[D/E Bob]

For better or for worse, I have been smoking cigars and pipes for 40 years now and here is my take on lighting them:

The most reliable and least expensive lighter is a Zippo. It is wind resistant and easy to refill. The downside is that the fumes from standard lighter fluid do not do anything to enhance the aroma or flavor of what you are smoking.

Standard Butane lighters pretty much eliminate the unpleasant fumes, but do not work very well in a windy situation. They are fairly reliable but do need attention once in a while.

Blazer type lighters work great for a short while, but then quickly become finicky and unreliable in damp or cold weather. I have relegated these type of lighters to indoor use as they have disappointed me many a time in the great outdoors.

Matches always work, are cheap and readily available, but as we all know they do not work well outdoors. These work best in stick form, and even better if you can get them in the "strike anywhere" type. When I come across a place to get those, I usually buy a case, since they are not available where I live.

So .........what to use?? My standard "carry" lighter is a Dunhill "old-style" gold lighter that has a double "cigar lighting" flame. It is not the Blazer type so it is less wind resistant, however it will get the job done without the unpleasant fumes, and I pull it out when my friends Blazer lighter craps out - which is very often. The one thing I ALWAYS carry is a book of matches, because no matter what brand or type of lighter you carry, eventually it will either run out of fluid or flint, or just not work for whatever reason. I can tell you guys that I have wound up using good old matches many times over the years, and if you are planning to light something, always carry a book of them as a back-up.

Happy smoking!

Regards,
D/E Bob