$10 Ronson Butane Pipe Lighter Review

[Briar Lee]

I bought a $10 Ronson butane pipe lighter online last year, and I use in in my car, to light my pipes while I travel.

I just spent $12 for breakfast, so for ten bucks don’t expect something like a Zippo, that works forever or they fix it free.

But the Ronson pipe lighter is a vast improvement over disposable butane lighters or the supposedly refillable ones sold in gas stations.

I’ve found mine to be of substantial metal build, it lights first time, the flame is soft and angled, and the built in tamper, pick, and scoop are handy to have when a real pipe tool isn’t within reach.

But the best feature of these lighters is they are truly refillable, with the standard butane canister. The seals last better than the gas station cheapies.

It could use a window to check the butane fuel level, but this is a good gadget.

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[blackpowderpiper]

Reviews seem mixed. The tools are nice. I guess I'll just stick with my ole Zippo that I've had for years and works well for my needs.

 

[Pipeoff]

I bought one at the Zippo factory early last year, never worked well from day one. Think the fill seal is defective. Think zippo now ownes the Ronson line. They may offer the same life time service?

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I have 3 of these that I've had for near a decade, I love em. They are really the only lighter other than a Zippo I use. They're reliable, rugged, and cheap. And the built-in tools are actually functional.

 

[AroEnglish]

I have 3 of these that I've had for near a decade, I love em. They are really the only lighter other than a Zippo I use. They're reliable, rugged, and cheap. And the built-in tools are actually functional.

How do they do with wind?

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

How do they do with wind?

Ehh, better than an Old Boy/Peterson/Kiribi but not as well as a Zippo. All butane soft flames struggle in even a little wind, but the Ronson does better than most.

 

[AroEnglish]

Ehh, better than an Old Boy/Peterson/Kiribi but not as well as a Zippo. All butane soft flames struggle in even a little wind, but the Ronson does better than most.

Good to know. I'm exclusively an outdoor smoker so I'll pass on this for now.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

Good to know. I'm exclusively an outdoor smoker so I'll pass on this for now.

IMHO, if you only smoke outdoors a Zippo with a petrol pipe insert is the only option.

 

[didimauw]

How's the button mechanism? Looks difficult to light for those with arthritis like myself lol.

 

[Briar Lee]

How's the button mechanism? Looks difficult to light for those with arthritis like myself lol.

It’s about the same as any other push type butane lighter.

 

[Epip Oc'Cabot]

Hmm…. It is rather interesting to me that the seller in your photograph of the Ronson goes by the moniker of:

“healthcareplus1”

Now….. while I like to “envision” my pipe smoking is an important part of my health care routine….. it does seem contradictory to popular opinion.

But…. The seller’s moniker and the product he is selling…. did give me a chuckle!!!

I agree with you too, that the Ronson pipe lighter is really quite nice for a butane lighter. I have one…. I like it…. Even though my fuel filled Zippo is still preferred.

 

[sparker69]

I've strangely had a bit of trouble with mine. I had bought it after buying the $5 Ronson torch that I use for cigars and that is an amazing workhorse! But this one seems a bit finiky. I think that maybe I just got a dud because the other one works great, although butane is always troublesome in the cold. But if you recognize the limits, they can be good lighters.

 

[garageboy]

Mine died prematurely (a month of use) - meanwhile my 10+ year old Ronson torch is fine so ymmv

 

[Briar Lee]

Mine died prematurely (a month of use) - meanwhile my 10+ year old Ronson torch is fine so ymmv

This is a ten dollar refillable lighter.

All of the gas station refillable lighters I’ve ever tried are maybe good for one refill, and often aren’t.

My Ronson pipe lighter has been refilled about once a month for most of a year.

I’m just surprised I’ve not lost it yet.

The gold standard of lighters is an oil Armor Zippo.

Good until you can’t find em’.

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[JimRoseLV]

I have a hell of a time with butane lighters. After going through a few refills I can't get them to refill anymore. I bleed them and all that and still can't get them to fill. Frustrating. I wonder if I'm being too forceful on the valve and damaging it. Anyone know a good one that has a window on the side?

 

[aspiring_sage]

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to have to pick one up now.

 

[fightnhampster]

I have one of these, picked it up at Walmart. Great for the money. My go to are kitchen matches, but this is what I use for travel.

I love Zippos, but they leave a bad taste. These don't.