Xikar Scribe in the Wind

shaintiques · Jul 4, 2013

Hey guys, well I recently bought a Butane Zippo insert. It is a Thunderbird pipe style insert. I love the concept, but the lighter itself sucks. It won't stay lit and takes multiple strikes to get going. And if there is any kind of breeze it blows out. So I'm thinking about getting a Xikar Scribe. I like the look and ease of use, lifetime warranty, and easy maintenance. I am wondering however how well it really works. Does it stay lit in the wind for example? Who has one and what are your perceptions? Any info is helpful.

radio807 · Jul 5, 2013

I can't directly answer your question because I don't own a Scribe, but it's been my experience over the years that nothing works in the wind except for my Zippo. If you don't care for the Zippo fuel odor and therefore can't or won't use a proper Zippo, then I'm afraid it really doesn't matter what type of butane lighter you buy: they seem like they'd all be equally ineffective in the wind. The main differences among the ones I've used is how many strikes it takes for them to light just before they blow out. When I smoke outside, all of my butane lighters stay inside.
BTW, thanx for sharing your experience with the butane Zippo insert. I thought about getting one some time ago, and based on your comments I'm glad that I didn't.

oldredbeard · Jul 5, 2013

I haven't tried the Scribe either, so I can't say about it. However, Like has been stated, in my experience the only thing that works very well in the wind is a fuel Zippo.

4dotsasieni · Jul 5, 2013

I've got a Xikar Resource, which I like very much, and it's not bad in a light breeze; but, as the guys say, no butane lighter stands up very well to wind.

yaboofive · Jul 5, 2013

I have one and I have had nothing but trouble with the lighter. at this point i have stopped sending it in to get "repaired". Maybe I bought a bad lighter and their quality has improved since then.

juptierspipe · Jul 5, 2013

@shaintiques- I also just recently got the same butane insert your referring to and thought it was the cat's a$$ right up until it wouldn't allow me to refill it about a week after I had gotten it. The seal broke I guess? Now I wanted to get a Corona Old Boy but just couldn't get over the $130 price tag. I did a little research and found the Yibao lighter the reviews on it are great they sell for $60 on Amazon but you can get them direct from China for $10 on ebay. My should be here by the end of the week,I'll let you know how it works.
Yibao,

Corona Old Boy,

rigmedic1 · Jul 5, 2013

I swore off pipe lighters long ago. I had one that I liked that fell apart after 5 months of intermittent use. My lady gave me one that I never could get to light unless I adjusted the flint every time. Tried a thunderbird in a zippo case, corroded within a month. The zippo fuel and I don't get along, either. Nothing more reliable than a Bic or a match. Nothing works well enough in a breeze. I would be interested in how a Yibao lighter holds up. Good luck, my friend.

juptierspipe · Jul 5, 2013

I use a pipe Zippo almost exclusively and the only thing I don't care for is that the flame is hard to control IMO.As Roth said if you let the Zippo burn for a few seconds after you light it there is zero fluid taste. I just wanted to try a new lighter, variety is the spice of life as they say.

instymp · Jul 5, 2013

Zippo with the way it comes, or add the Zippo pipe insert, only thing that works outside in the wind except some of the outdoor torch type (Bass Pro, Cabela's) that will scortch the crap out of the pipe, if you are worried about that.

juptierspipe · Jul 5, 2013

The one I use is the straight up factory pipe Zippo. I put the factory insert back in after my thunderbird broke.

gwtwdbss · Jul 5, 2013

No sure about the scribe. I don't care for my Pipeline at all. It is horrible in the wind and i use the 5x refined fuel. I just started using my zippo with pipe insert(the regular lighter fluid style) and it works great. I have found if ya let it burn a second or two the "Zippo" taste is a a minimum.

shaintiques · Jul 5, 2013

Maybe I have a sensitive palate but letting the zippo burn doesn't solve the taste issue. The problem I've had with the butane insert is not just wind, drawing on my pipe inside puts it out. It is pathetic. Adjusting the flame doesn't help either. I'm gonna try a scribe and I will post my thoughts after some use.

gwtwdbss · Jul 5, 2013

Cool, good luck Dave!

lyle · Jul 6, 2013

My experience matches radio807's.
Butane lighters (for me, an Old Boy) taste the best, and I can usually find a still place to get my pipe lit. Pop into the garage, up against a wall, etc. If I'm going out, and just don't want to mess with it, I gas up the Zippo.

zonomo · Jul 6, 2013

hey shaintiques - The Xikar Scribe what probably my first "nice" lighter. I liked it so much that I have 2 now. I really love this lighter and it feels so great in the hand. It also feels natural the way it lights the pipe. That being said, it doesn't work very well in the wind. My Zip with the Thunderbird works very well in the wind though. I think I must have gotten lucky because unlike a few of the posts here, my Xikar has been bullet proof as has my Thunderbird.

Xikar Scribe in the Wind

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