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Lighter madness!

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Coming back to cigars after about a decade and a half absence (but still having about 300 cigars from the old days which I maintained in my coolerdor all these years, I was looking at the cheap Bic and Scripto lighters I'd used for years and decided I wanted a new lighter. Like most, I didn't like using my Zippo for cigars. It's not that I think it imparts a taste but you certainly smell the naptha when using a Zippo.

Anyway, I decide to get a decent lighter and start with the online shopping and reading the forums. I see that a lot of folks like torches and I'd never had one. However, I didn't like the looks of most until I came across the inserts for the Zippo. I decided to try the torch from Vector but then saw they had a soft flame flint striker that would work the same as a traditional Zippo so I ordered one of those too. Both work great and I must agree the torch is wonderful to spot touch up an uneven burning cigar. Regardless, I prefer lighting with a soft flame. I light inside and then go outside to smoke on the porch. Should be good to go, right? Nope, read a few comments about the Ronson Jetlight and picked one up at Walgreens for $5. Like the Zippo insert, it's a single flame torch and seems to work fine but is cheap looking.

OK, moving on, what I really wanted was a classy, elegant lighter like a Dunhill or Dupont gold hobnail traditional soft flame. Yikes! Too expensive. But I came across the IM Corona line and fell in love with the looks of the lined Old Boy even though it had an angled flame. So what, adjust how you hold the lighter. Got one for a great price from smokingpipes.com and it's everything one could ask for in a lighter. Gorgeous, very well made, terrific finish, and a great flame. But it wasn't a Dunhill or Dupont. Scanning ebay, I came across a 1960's era Dupont Ligne 1 gold hobnail with box and papers that hardly looked used and photos showing the lighter with flame. Tossed out a one and done bid assuming it would go to someone else. Nope, got it for $125.

Should be done, right? Oh no, the sickness had taken hold. As much as I like the Old Boy, I was equally struck by the chrome lines IM Corono Double Corona with its twin soft flame. Dupont style but modern Japanese construction and no adapter required. smokingpipes was out of that design and other sellers wanted too much. Back to ebay where I found a new one on BIN with offers allowed. Tossed out an offer of $120 and got a message the next morning that it was accepted.

What is WRONG with me? It's not that I can't afford it but close to $400 in lighters the last week. Seriously?? And yet I'm too cheap to buy Macanudos anymore...
Dupont Ligne 1



Old Boy


Double Corona
 
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The difference between the lighters and more expensive cigars is that once you smoke the cigar, you have nothing to show for it. Besides, I'm skeptical of cigars much over $5 each. Having the nice lighter is like eating your Kraft Mac and Cheese on a nice bone china plate using sterling flatware. Somehow, the mac and cheese tastes better that way. Same with drinking whiskey or wine. Pour it into a Baccarat Harmonie crystal glass and even the cheap stuff tastes better. I figure the same should hold true for cigars. Right? ;)
 
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The difference between the lighters and more expensive cigars is that once you smoke the cigar, you have nothing to show for it. Besides, I'm skeptical of cigars much over $5 each. Having the nice lighter is like eating your Kraft Mac and Cheese on a nice bone china plate using sterling flatware. Somehow, the mac and cheese tastes better that way. Same with drinking whiskey or wine. Pour it into a Baccarat Harmonie crystal glass and even the cheap stuff tastes better. I figure the same should hold true for cigars. Right? ;)
I don't know. Lighting it with a nice lighter certainly makes you feel better. But if you smoke an expensive cigar, what do you remember? The cigar, or the lighter you used? I'm more likely to remember where I was, who I was with, what the cigar tasted like, instead of the lighter I used.
 

bostoneo

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I have had an IM Double Corona for about 5yrs now and it has worked great ever since. I've known people that have had them for ages as well, definitely worth the investment. I think I got mine on amazon for $125ish
 
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Chief, you sorta missed my point. I'm not buying high priced cigars in any event so lighting what I have with a nice lighter makes it more fun to smoke the good cigars I do enjoy.

So we had an estate sale in the neighborhood today and among other things, I picked up a Parker Flaminaire lighter for $5 in the box (but no papers). Cool looking, great shape and from the 40's to early 50's. Problem? The butane tank is not refillable. Apparently, you had to send these back to Parker for a new tank. The French invented the lighter and their tanks were refillable so maybe I'll come across one one day. Still, cool design and concept. These things were $12+ when new!

Not mine - web photo
 
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I have a Dunhill Unique I got off eBay that's from the 20s. I replaced the flint but for some reason I can't get it to hold fluid. I'll fill it and it'll work but the next day it's just empty...
 
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That Dupont showed up today and it was even nicer than described (how often does that happen on ebay?). It really looks about new. Not quite as old as the seller claimed but, based on the owner's papers, it's early 70's. Even had the spare flint so I doubt this was used much. It's the smaller size Ligne 1 but, God, it's gorgeous. I ordered a screw in adapter (it takes the Gold refills with yellow paint in the gas port cover) but it seem like it must have had at least a half tank of butane in it when I received it. Used it to light a vintage Don Lino lonsdale. Very nice all around!
 
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I have a Dunhill Unique I got off eBay that's from the 20s. I replaced the flint but for some reason I can't get it to hold fluid. I'll fill it and it'll work but the next day it's just empty...
You indeed may be leaking, by "vapeing off" .. Is changing the filament practical? I'd do that then get fresh quality fluid.
 
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I feel you pain man, I too am a lighter junky. Unfortunately this addiction has had its grips on me since my pyromaniacal youth. On a side note, you have excellent taste in fire makers :).
 
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Even all the years I didn't smoke, I carried my Zippo. When hiking (used to do SAR) I always have 3-4 ways of making fire and tinder. While these fancy new lighters won't be for hiking, I too have a thing about being able to make fire. I love using misch metal rods or other sparking tools but it's a tough way to go to light a cigar (well, until the fire's going anyway).
 

mdwest

BoM Feb 13 - BoY 2013
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I always have 3-4 ways of making fire and tinder.... I too have a thing about being able to make fire....
Im the same way...

Ive got a few "nice" lighters.. and a whole lot of cheap ones.. more matches than I could ever strike.. magnesium stick/striker combos.. and just about every other "modern" fire starting tool you can imagine laying around here....

Ive also spent a good bit of time developing skills at primitive fire making.. hand drills, bow / drills, flint and steel, fire plows, etc.. (been successful with all.. but generally suck at all as well.. it takes a WHOLE LOT of effort..)..

I also make my wife crazy, storing tinder.. cotton balls or dryer lint soaked in petroleum jelly, stored in old pipe tobacco tins is the current favorite :)..
 
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One of the coolest lighters we own is an inherited (wife's grandparents) Ronson Decor AKA Flying Saucer. Made for just two years starting in 1955, they are the height of mid-century modern. Here's one very similar to ours (fabric is slightly
different). Ours works fine but is too smelly to use due to the traditional lighter fluid required.
 
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