Humidity Affecting My Lighters

[eaglerico]

There have been a few threads lately discussing how humidity is affecting people's smoking experience regarding either the pipe or tobacco. Living in Houston, this is a typical occurrence for me and not something that has really bothered me until now, or at least I think.
I have two vector lighters, the exact same lighters as Xicar with a different name on them. One is the same as a Xicar resource, and another is similar. They both have the electric spark as the source of ignition. In the past few weeks the humidity has come back in full force and I am just having a ridiculous time getting the lighters to light. I have completely emptied them and refilled them, turned the fuel gauge all the way up and still issues. When I am in my home or in my office no problems getting a flame, but in my car or outside and I can't get the damn things to light.
Do you guys think this is due to humidity or something else? Or am I just losing my mind. Any others experience this?

 

[taerin]

This is one of the reasons I use a Zippo pipe lighter. Very reliable, works well in wind, extremely easy on the wood. Just wish it wasn't always out of fuel...

 

[eaglerico]

This is one of the reasons I use a Zippo pipe lighter

I do have a Zippo pipe lighter. It is what I started out with. But with the wind in Houston, I felt I was charring the rims of my pipes a good bit. That's why went with the VEctor pipe lighters directional flame. That, and I just seem to burn myself almost every time I use a Bic. Also, as you stated, I hated having to fill the thing up every few days.

 

[taerin]

Not sure how you can char a rim with a Zippo, they burn much cooler than normal lighters. Have you been wiping off the rim after every smoke? Also you can control the size of the flame with how much wick you have out, I found I had to reduce it from default because the flame was much too big.

 

[eaglerico]

Doesn't really matter. I like the Vectors better. I am not wanting a Zippo debate.

 

[cigrmaster]

eagle, if the lighter works fine inside then it has to be the humidity that is causing the problems. You might want to get a Old Boy for the summer time as the flint lighters will never have issues. What ever you do do not buy a Vector flint lighter, they are the worst I have ever encountered. Been through 3 of them and gave up. My b/m replaced my original twice now and it still doesn't work for crap so it is collecting dust. My Old Boy is 13 years old now and never an issue. I also have an IM Corona Pipemaster which has an electronic ignition and it works fine in the humidity here in FLA. That is another option if you want to stick with electronic ignition.

 

[eaglerico]

Cigar...I haven't seen a Vector flint lighter, but I doubt I would have gotten it. I hate having to do any maintenance to a lighter then refilling it from a butane can.
What is your impressions of the Pipemaster? Is it the same quality as the Old Boy, just with electronic ignition. Or is it just ok. I have seen you rave about your Old Boy before, but I don't think I have seen you mention the Pipemaster. Price wise they seem comparable, from what I see on my quick internet search.

 

[cigrmaster]

So far I love my Pipemaster. It is a nice heavy lighter with a great long tamper. I have owned it for a few months now and it has been perfect. I have been using it exclusively since I got it and only time will tell if the electronic ignition will hold up. I am always wary of these electronic ignitions but hopefully because it is an IM Corona it will last. What ever you do don't go anywhere near a Lotus lighter, they are also crap.

 

[cigrmaster]

This is the one I have.
http://www.smokingpipes.com/accessories/lighters/moreinfo.cfm?product_id=54363