Is it really necessary to spend a lot for a butane lighter?

[amir11950]

I see the price for butane lighters and I can't find myself spending $40+ for a lighter. Especially when its just fire. My only requirement is a lighter that will last for several cigars. Single flame is fine. Any ideas? Does it have to cost much? I'm fine with spending up to 20-25 bucks.

 

[Angry Bill]

A lighter is about personal choice, things that I consider are quality, reliability, price and design. Personally, I love my Dupont Xtend lighters. Worth the $ and I know they are going to light my cigars properly every time. When I travel via plane though, no way I would take one. Not willing to loose it to TSA. When I do travel, I use a soft flame BiC or comparable lighter. I

But, again whether you spend $20 or $1000 on a lighter, it's about what you like. There are many reliable lighters made by Xikar, Dupont, Lotus, Colibri and others.

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

Get a cheap Bic lighter. Single flame, cheap, disposable, cheap, easy to use, cheap, oh, and did I mention, cheap?

 

[AlohaStyle]

If you don't want to spend money on lighters, go to Walmart and get yourself a Ronson... best $4 you'll ever spend. They last forever... well, until you lose it. lol

 

[amir11950]

Then why does every website or source say to use butane lighters because others will change the flavor of the cigar?

 

[ga_stogies]

I have read that also but after 8 years of smoking cigars I have never really been able to tell a difference. Just my .02

 

[dharbolt]

If you don't want to spend money on lighters, go to Walmart and get yourself a Ronson... best $4 you'll ever spend. They last forever... well, until you lose it. lol

This. I have owned many lighters in many ranges. These are my go to.

 

[Angry Bill]

The only lighter that will change the flavor are oil based lighters like the old Zippos, Bics are liquid butane and will not change the flavor at all.

 

[huskers]

I look at it this way, if you're going to spend the money on a lighter, get a REALLY GOOD ONE otherwise, get a really cheap one.

The expensive ones +100$ will generally be good quality and reliable.

The cheap ones are cheap but if they break or you loose them.............who cares.

I feel the lighters in between cheap and expensive are a crap shoot.

 

[CATom]

Short answer, no. Long answer,no.

 

[LikeAPuma]

If you want one for around $20, just wait until a sale on a sampler that includes a lighter.

I saw one posted under a "cigar deals" thread here & got a lighter & a few Olivas for $20.

 

[huskers]

check these out.

http://www.fieldsupply.com/general-store/cigars-lighters/lighters.html

 

[Hoshneer]

Shhhhhhhh...... I still love my Zippo. Don't tell anyone though.


Every time I light my Zippo a hippy gets a job.

 

[mdwest]

All depends on what you like and want to spend.. Ive got several ronsons... great for keeping in the truck, throwing in a bag when traveling, etc.. reliable as the day is long.. and dirt cheap..

Ive also got a handful of "nice" lighters... xikar, bugatti, etc...

and a handful of lighters that all somewhere in between... ($10-$20 torches that Ive gotten in samplers.. or as SWAG at events, etc..)...

some work better than others.. some are more dependable/reliable.. some have bigger tanks.. some are thinner/lighter weight.. etc..

its all just a matter of preference....

8 out of 10 times.. I end up just reaching for one of the ronsons.. because its close by.. or if Im leaving the house.. I normally grab the bugatti or the evertorch (thanks javajunike! awesome torch you gifted me!)...

 

[StogieNinja]

Cheapest possible, and will never let you down: Ronson, $4-6. Pros: Cheap as heck. Cons: Not the most beautiful lighter you've ever seen...

My favorite: Zippo shell with a butane torch insert, $10-$15. Inexpensive, and you can get either a very customized look, or just that classic zippo look and feel. Downside is the butane tank is fairly small.

 

[Cigary43]

Then why does every website or source say to use butane lighters because others will change the flavor of the cigar?

Because some are ignorant people...butane will not change the flavor because the fuel is tasteless...all the butane becomes carbon dioxide, water and heat and that translates to tasteless. Some people confuse some fuels which do change the taste like some of the old lighters that have "lighter fluid" qualities.

Ronson makes a soft flame called The Comet...it's refillable and costs $1 and check with your CVS or Walgreens.

 

[Sirspanksalot]

I've got a Ronson that I had before I even started smoking cigars. I have several zippos that I want to get pipe inserts for some, and torch inserts for others though. Only somewhat expensive lighter I've thought about buying is that soft flame z xikar that shows up on the monster sometimes cause I love soft flame

 

[rdomfoto]

I bought my first "quality" lighter from the devil's site (cbid) - it is a Xikar and it cost me $7. Its downside is the same as a lot of the less expensive lighters and that's a small butane tank. It holds enough to light 6 or 7 cigars if I am lucky, but sometimes as few as 4 or 5. I like to meet up with brothers when I can and more than once I've had the lighter run out of juice.

Yeah, I'd spend $50-60 on a better lighter just for the larger tank.

 

[herfdog]

I bought a ronson following BOTL advise and I like it. I modded it and beside its smallish tank all is ok.

I also have a zippo and a triple torch. Triple torch overtorch the cigar and you can taste that. Otherwise anything work. I still prefer cigar spills from the cedar sheet in the box. Makes a wider flamme.

 

[BraveSmoker]

Late to the party but I usually buy the inexpensive lighters (usually seek ones with a lifetime warranty) and ask for something more fancy, nicer and expensive as birthday or holiday gifts. Same with some accessories.