torch lighter on international flights

[sg1234]

I'm looking into my options for taking a butane torch lighter with me to Cuba in March. I have read TSA's requirements and I believe a butane torch lighter is acceptable to carry in checked baggage as long as the butane is completely drained from the lighter and the lighter is stored in a box or case. I was planning to completely drain the lighter of fuel and keep it in my suitcase in the original box.

However, my concern is with refilling the lighter after I land. If I were traveling to any destination other than Cuba, I would buy a butane canister after I land. On the other hand, I understand certain things can at times be hard to come by on the island. Butane canisters may be expensive or impossible to find once I'm in Cuba.

I love my Blazer torch lighter and would love to take it with me. I used matches when I went to Mexico last year and I hated it. I would much rather use a torch if I could.

Does anyone have any experience with this? What do you do when it comes to smoking cigars during international travels?

 

[sg1234]

Just found this:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Colibri-Tranzpack-Approved-Airline-Lighter/dp/B000J0KUB0"]Amazon.com: Colibri Tranzpack TSA and DOT Approved Airline Lighter Case: Everything Else@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/318P1B7Y8CL.@@AMEPARAM@@318P1B7Y8CL[/ame]

Amazon says it is approved by TSA for domestic flights, but there is no specific mention of international flights.

 

[carguy13]

just so you know, they've taken 2 of my butane torch lighters from me. once was coming to Germany and the other was flying to Afghanistan. No matter what they say, I'd be careful and wouldn't take an expensive lighter with you. Sometimes the security guys are assholes.

 

[dpricenator]

any ligter will still light a cigar. You'll still love your blazer when you get home, and you're gaurantee to have it, if you leave it home.

 

[carguy13]

any ligter will still light a cigar. You'll still love your blazer when you get home, and you're gaurantee to have it, if you leave it home.

true. true.

 

[Pooh Bore]

Butane refills are Like rocking horse pooh. I did see a guy on the street refilling lighters in Havana for a fee. I'm thinking of taking the smallest refill I can get next month with an empty lighter. Need to do a little more research before I go as you can buy soft flame lighters there.

 

[sg1234]

Pooh Bore, please let me know if you find anything useful. I'm pretty sure finding a cheap soft flame lighter won't be a problem in Havana. What I'm not so sure of is what the lighter will be filled with. I've smoked a cigar lit with a cheap bic filled with lighter fluid and it ruined the first few inches of the cigar. I would rather use matches than a non-butane lighter.

 

[carguy13]

that's true, matches or some cedar. either one i'll bet you'll be able to speak plenty of in Cuba...

 

[kockroach]

Torches can travel empty in an approved case in checked baggage in the US. Doesn't necessarily mean that other countries have the same laws. I would suggest leaving it at home, and bring a cheap soft flame, or matches.

 

[Kenman25]

any ligter will still light a cigar. You'll still love your blazer when you get home, and you're gaurantee to have it, if you leave it home.

what he said!

 

[dvickery]

i have lost 3 torches and 2 cutters at various airports over the years...seems every security person has their own rules.worst security in the world is going to the USA.

going to cuba...take nothing you dont want to loose.
if you must take cigar stuff(lighters and cutters)...make sure it is in checked luggage...not in your pocket and not in carry on.

i have seen the girls at 64th in vara fill a guys torch lighter.

derrek

 

[perfectform]

Aaron, I have that Colibri Tranzpak somewhere. If you want to borrow it, just let me know.

 

[carguy13]

lol... Tranzpak. i don't know, it just sounded funny.

 

[sg1234]

Aaron, I have that Colibri Tranzpak somewhere. If you want to borrow it, just let me know.

Sweet! Thanks buddy! Any luck using it, perhaps on an international flight?

 

[perfectform]

Sweet! Thanks buddy! Any luck using it, perhaps on an international flight?

Ya know, I bought it for my Cancun trip but it arrived too late for me to use it. I ended up just buying a cheap lighter when I got there.

 

[sg1234]

Thanks for the tips, fellas. Depending on how limber I feel while I'm packing, I may take the Blazer with me.

 

[Pooh Bore]

Az what make of container do you have ?

 

[vperlman]

I have an OtterBox case that was TSA approved and designed to hold Zippos before it became OK to carry Zippos on the plane. It is the perfect size to hold a Ronson Jetlite, and I pack it in my checked luggage. The Jetlites are cheap enough that I don't care if security at some airport confiscates it.

Re: refueling, I buy a container of butane overseas if I am staying long enough. I also carry a disposable, soft flame Djeep as a back-up, and I use that whenever I am indoors and don't need the windproof nature of the torch.

 

[sg1234]

Good call, vperlman. Never heard of Ronson lighters. I assume they work decently well for $6-10.

 

[vperlman]

Good call, vperlman. Never heard of Ronson lighters. I assume they work decently well for $6-10.

Actually, about $3-4. You can usually find them at Wal-Mart, some large chain drugstores like Walgreen's or CVS, and on line. Here is a link to a thread about them:

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=54918