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
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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