Xikar xikar o how I love the xikar

[chrishorsley13]

I know this has probably been said a million times but giving credit where it's well deserved. Sent back my lighter (element) for repair and a couple days later I get a call saying they no longer produce this lighter and they are upgrading me to the newer model. We don't have the new one in red. What color would you like sir? I just love these guys! Their customer service is just unmatched anywhere! Outstanding product and outstanding customer service! Great job xikar!

 

[Mr.Maduro]

Exactly! Can not be stressed enough in the lighter world and why Xikar rules the roost.

 

[mdwest]

All torches/lighters die.. sad, miserable fact of life..

the fact that Xikar makes the death of a torch as painless as they do.. is what brings me back to them time after time.... (I own several Xikars.. and rarely buy anything else these days.. unless we're talking "cheap".. then I go with Ronson..)...

Awesome company...

(and awesome, 2x years in a row, sponsor of Operation Esteli... )...

 

[bassboat]

What's then end cost for a repair/replacement (shipping, etc), and how often do you have to bring your Xikar lighters in for service? I'm less than happy with the quality & longevity of Scorch.

 

[mdwest]

zero end cost.

When an Xikar breaks.. you walk into a B&M that carries Xikar.. and say "this is broken"....

typically they will take said item from you.. and then pull a new torch from inventory (same one you have in your hand) and give it to you... they handle the return.... you do nothing else..

I've had to return 2x xikars.. one table top.. and one personal torch.... in both instances.. they were replaced by the B&M immediately...

in the case of the tabletop, they didnt have the exact same torch.. so, they replaced it with one that was "similar".. but offered to order the correct one if thats what I wanted.. and do the swap once it arrived in the store... I declined, and took the one they had on hand.. (the only difference is one was the "basketweave" pattern.. and the other was ribbed... same price, and same torch.. just two different models of the same thing..

 

[Daven]

My opinion is probably of the minority here but I personally do not like xikar cutters/lights. I have had nothing but trouble with every single xikar product I have bought. Furthermore, I will tell you thatsome B&M's are shady about xikar exchange OR they don't want to do it all... Instead of getting a brand new lighter/cutter your replacement is just another defective lighter/cutter that's slightly less mucked over the one you're replacing.

Sure, there are mostly certainly has to be reputable xikar dealers out there but in my experience (and the B&M I have dealt with for returns) makes me question if I am getting a new replacement. Perhaps I just need to wait the few weeks and send it back to xikar the next time my lighter breaks.

With all this being said, I do like the peace of mind that they have a lifetime warranty and this does factor into my decision making when deciding on a new cigar accessory.

 

[Cigary43]

My opinion is probably of the minority here but I personally do not like xikar cutters/lights. I have had nothing but trouble with every single xikar product I have bought. Furthermore, I will tell you thatsome B&M's are shady about xikar exchange OR they don't want to do it all... Instead of getting a brand new lighter/cutter your replacement is just another defective lighter/cutter that's slightly less mucked over the one you're replacing.

Sure, there are mostly certainly has to be reputable xikar dealers out there but in my experience (and the B&M I have dealt with for returns) makes me question if I am getting a new replacement. Perhaps I just need to wait the few weeks and send it back to xikar the next time my lighter breaks.

With all this being said, I do like the peace of mind that they have a lifetime warranty and this does factor into my decision making when deciding on a new cigar accessory.

Most lighter issues come from not knowing how to recharge them correctly. There are so many "self help tutorials" as to how to do this correctly. If you're getting a spark then chances are pretty good that you can fix it. If no spark then there are definite issues.

 

[Daven]

Most lighter issues come from not knowing how to recharge them correctly. There are so many "self help tutorials" as to how to do this correctly. If you're getting a spark then chances are pretty good that you can fix it. If no spark then there are definite issues.

Sure, I have read about all the tricks and proper ways to purge (recharge) and care for your lighters.

Most of the issues I experience with xikar lighters are sputtering burners or one burner working while the other does not work, the striking filament has 'fallen out' of TWO of my my lighters, and finally the issue of overall construction seems rather 'cheap' with a two of their lighters I have owned (Xikar Table Top Window Pane and Xikar Executive). Maybe this is a result of the B&M selling 'used' xikar lights which I have suspected? I am not sure... I have never ordered online before and perhaps I will have a different experience.

My experiences are based on the xikar accessories which I have purchased from my B&M. Call it ignorance or just bad luck if you wish, but when I think of xikar I can't help but think of them as junk. I know my sentiment is not held by many and maybe I will purchase from lightersdirect/amazon when looking for another torch. If I so buy another xikar product it wont be from my B&M, this is for sure.

 

[mdwest]

I guess the question is.... "what is better?"

in/around the same price point... who offers a more reliable torch.. with a similar or better warranty?

Ive owned or currently own, colibris (same rough price point... total crap quality, and total crap warranty).. Ever-Torch (same rough price point.. slightly higher than most of my XiKars.. solid quality.. but crap warranty)... Bugatti (considerably higher price.. but can be found on discount/sale in the Xikar rante..., solid quality.. but crap warranty)..

and a ton of much lower cost torches (everything from Ronsons to no-name freebies that you get with sampler packs, etc..)... but I think its unfair to compare them (most of them, except for the ronsons suck)..

Ive never stepped into the "higher" world of Dupont, Dunhill, etc.. but would also think comparing them would be unfair...

So... for the money.. what is the better option? (sincere question)...

 

[Daven]

I currently use a Vector Viking table top which is slightly cheaper (~$15 USD) less than the Xikar table top (window pane) lighter which is what I originally had. The vector does not have a lifetime warranty but the construction seems to be about the same as the Xiikar Window Pane with exception this Vector has operated flawlessly since I have owned it. This was also a purchase from the same place that I have bought all of my xikar lighters. My favorite cutter is the cuban crafters perfect cutter which is about the same price as lower-end xikar but the blades remain rather sharp and I have not had an issues. My xi3 was dull from the get-go I use to cut torpedos but the blades are not even close to being as sharp as the CC cutter.

This is just my comparison and experience with other products, im not saying they're better (overall) but in my experience they have been. I think though (to be fair) it's going to be hard to beat Xikars' warranty, no argument with me there. Although for me? If a product gives me 1-2yrs of life and costs me less than thirty to forty bucks, I am not going to care that much about having to replace it.

I am sure I will purchase xikar again I am just going to avoid doing so from my B&M. Maybe my experience will be different elsewhere or online.

 

[chrishorsley13]

I usually just send mine straight back to xikar and ll you're out is the shipping to them. I got mine back in about a week and a half.

 

[Tombstone]

I had to send back one a Xikar received from a friend. They returned it in a timely manner and only cost me the shipping. I am happy with their level of service and that is why I will buy their products. If I need something and cant afford them, then I want to get the most inexpensive option that will still fulfill the job.

 

[Craig Mac]

I will say this regarding the warranty. Xikar used to repair them, now they just replace them, which I think most people prefer anyway.

Shops are no longer obligated to swap them out on the fly or handle the return themselves, some B&M's (like Emerson's Cigars ) will handle the return for you, but you can send it back yourself and it usually cut some time off the return process by doing it directly. Pound for Pound I think Xikar is the best because of the lifetime warranty.

 

[Daven]

Shops are no longer obligated to swap them out on the fly.

This is good to know. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Cigary43]

Sure, I have read about all the tricks and proper ways to purge (recharge) and care for your lighters.

Most of the issues I experience with xikar lighters are sputtering burners or one burner working while the other does not work, the striking filament has 'fallen out' of TWO of my my lighters, and finally the issue of overall construction seems rather 'cheap' with a two of their lighters I have owned (Xikar Table Top Window Pane and Xikar Executive). Maybe this is a result of the B&M selling 'used' xikar lights which I have suspected? I am not sure... I have never ordered online before and perhaps I will have a different experience.

My experiences are based on the xikar accessories which I have purchased from my B&M. Call it ignorance or just bad luck if you wish, but when I think of xikar I can't help but think of them as junk. I know my sentiment is not held by many and maybe I will purchase from lightersdirect/amazon when looking for another torch. If I so buy another xikar product it wont be from my B&M, this is for sure.

Your situation probably demands interaction with a Rep who can fix those issues you have. ..PM me and I can give you a name. ..this guy would take care of you.

 

[ckay]

I appreciate the fact that Xikar will replace your non-functional lighter. This gives me peace of mind knowing that I am paying for a lighter that is backed by the company. Sure beats the alternative which are other manufacturers that will tell you to purchase another one.

 

[Tennessee Dave]

New lighter on board here. I've used Xikar cutters for years but this is my first lighter from them. Must admit that a big reason behind this purchase is their warranty. I also just happened to like this lighter.

 

[Xavier Dredo]

New lighter on board here. I've used Xikar cutters for years but this is my first lighter from them. Must admit that a big reason behind this purchase is their warranty. I also just happened to like this lighter.
View attachment 69068

The soft flame Xikars work great, I've never had an issue with mine. The jet flames, on the other hand, I've given up on...

 

[CaptainRon]

Love the Xikars, but starting to have doubts on how well the Jets work. The two I have are not super consistent.

The best lighter I've had is a Bugatti Triple flame that I got from cbid. $20 bux, holds a lot of fuel, and so far has been very reliable. I've only had it a couple months now, but it's been rock solid.

 

[marshall9779]

My ELX just died. It's not sparking at the electrode tip. I can see barely down inside the lighter body is a small spark so th e wire is shorted out in there. Gonna have to send back. Will update with the outcome.


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