The Dupont Knock-off

[telescopes]

I have a Dupont lighter knock-off from China and it has worked without issues for many months. I regret I don't have pictures to share, but I thought I would post a few comments about it. First of all, it lights effortlessly. The controls for the flame and the refill are the same as the real thing. The Ping is there - what a nice sound. But, even in the small details, the lighter is amazing. The slide that holds the flint works flawlessly and underneath the slide is a "spare" flint - a nice touch that could have gone unnoticed or left out by the maker of these knock-offs.

In cigar bars, smokers who use the lighter are impressed that I am carrying a real Dupont. They all assure me they can spot a knock-off. That probably says more about cigar smoker bravado than anything else. It clearly says ST Dunant on the bottom of the lighter.

I started this thread not to provide a place for those who want to post that they would NEVER buy a knock-off. Fine. Don't. But for those who want a decent lighter at a decent price that works day after day, has some weight to it - yes, it weights about a 1/4 of an ounce more than the real thing, why not avail yourself of a nice 38 dollar lighter. Anyway, who else has one of these and are you happy with it? I'll post a few pics when I have my phone with me - no, I don't carry my phone with me - I am a wanna be luddite.

 

[Snook]

I'll post a few pics when I have my phone with me - no, I don't carry my phone with me - I am a wanna be luddite.

I respect that and try to do the same as often as possible. Regarding the lighter: I was just looking at these the other day. Or at least another knockoff of a Dupont. They seem just as good, so I couldn't imagine paying full price. I also like the fact that the knockoff is a little bit heavier. In my mind heavier = better.

 

[woodsroad]

I have four of these lighters. Two are in constant use, and have performed as good or better than any of my other lighters. In fact, I'd place them near the top of the list in terms of usability and reliability. And they are so cool. Beautiful and hefty.

Last time I checked, the striker wheels were available as spare parts on eBay. I'd advise getting some.

Only caveat: Since these are counterfeits, made in China, the quality and consistency of what is offered for sale over time can not be guaranteed.

 

[OzPiper]

My sister wears knock-off Chinese watches, even though she can afford Rolexes
She says they are cheap, keeps good time, and when the battery is done, she just gets a new watch because it’s cheaper than buying a battery and getting it installed.
And she is not bothered if it goes through the washing machine

 

[doug535]

My sister wears knock-off Chinese watches, even though she can afford Rolexes
She says they are cheap, keeps good time, and when the battery is done, she just gets a new watch because it’s cheaper than buying a battery and getting it installed.
And she is not bothered if it goes through the washing machine

Hopefully not while still on her wrist, if so, you need to find out who's pushing her in and starting it.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I would be interested in getting one of these.

 

[telescopes]

I have four of these lighters. Two are in constant use, and have performed as good or better than any of my other lighters. In fact, I'd place them near the top of the list in terms of usability and reliability. And they are so cool. Beautiful and hefty.

Last time I checked, the striker wheels were available as spare parts on eBay. I'd advise getting some.

Only caveat: Since these are counterfeits, made in China, the quality and consistency of what is offered for sale over time can not be guaranteed.

Excellent validation. I am thinking about getting one more.

 

[geoffreybeene]

I got a DuPont Memorial Lighter, not even a Dunant... fake serial and everything. Works great. Works better with corona flints... got a pack of wheels coming in like you mentioned. Pings perfect!!

 

[Peter Peachfuzz]

I have a couple these that at least 3 years old.. Still going strong

 

[atwaterville]

I have an original Dupont and also recently acquired a fake one. Aside from some cosmetic annoyance such as a few small air bubbles in the laminate, it works really well and produces that much sought after ping sound. The hefty weight and good construction make it feel like its not a cheap lighter.

 

[jttnk]

I have two, and love them. Going on 5 years plus. Like Woodsroad said they are some of my most reliable lighters. I am overly vocal about telling people it’s a knock off, lest i be seen as a wanna be or poser as we used to say. I’m guessing no adult cares either way, but i have my strange compulsion for honesty. I will post pics shortly.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I was able to find a JT Dunant on the bay. Hopefully it's as good as all of your guys' lighters.

 

[jttnk]

I have two, and love them. Going on 5 years plus. Like Woodsroad said they are some of my most reliable lighters. I am overly vocal about telling people it’s a knock off, lest i be seen as a wanna be or poser as we used to say. I’m guessing no adult cares either way, but i have my strange compulsion for honesty. I will post pics shortly.

 

[telescopes]

Here are some close ups and you can see the spare flint.

Here is the Ping.

 

[jttnk]

 

[Ahi Ka]

Oh man. I thought I had enough lighters

 

[EA-6B]

Personally I don't like the fake stuff, but fake Gatsby/shorties are interesting because they are legitimately rare. Here are a couple pics I grabbed off of ebay a few years ago, of a fake Gatsby next to a fake Tall.


Most obvious tell on these is the "LAQUE DE CHINE" mark, since they aren't finished in lacquer. I've only ever seen two fake shorties posted on ebay so far...

 

[telescopes]

Personally I don't like the fake stuff, but fake Gatsby/shorties are interesting because they are legitimately rare. Here are a couple pics I grabbed off of ebay a few years ago, of a fake Gatsby next to a fake Tall.
View attachment 357444
View attachment 357445
Most obvious tell on these is the "LAQUE DE CHINE" mark, since they aren't finished in lacquer. I've only ever seen two fake shorties posted on ebay so far...

This sentiment might hold true legitimately for a great many objects, but... when it comes to Dupont lighters, the price differential renders the decision easy. The knock off lighters are decent quality and just as importantly, they work and work well. They also work with standard quality butane. They have a great ping, and the lighter adjustment for the flame is excellent. No matter what, one gets a soft flame from a decent lighter at a decent cost. And isn't that what we really want from a lighter. I am getting one more, the 2 ligne - for my cigars. Anyway, having a decent lighter is a blessing. So what if it isn't a true Dupont. We know it isn't, it can't be sold as one, and it clearly is a knock off, just look at the serial numbers. I opened this thread so that other smokers will be able to think about having one of these lighters in their collection. Why not?

 

[EA-6B]

Whatever floats your boat. Personally, for pipe-smoking, L1>L2x1000 anyway. But if I spot a fake L2 shorty, those are interesting because they are rare. Unless they started cranking them out within the past few years, as I haven't been checking regularly in a while. They started cranking out L1 Talls & Soubrenys around 2020/2021. The L1s are easy to spot with the right pics, unfortunately the Soubrenys not so much, & I was seeing people getting burned on those regularly.

 

[atwaterville]

View attachment 357374View attachment 357375View attachment 357376

The silver one looks sharp. I may want one!