Which Luxury Lighter?

[dublinpiper90]

ST Dupont for the look and feel.
Vintage Dunhill for the nostalgia.
Old Boy for sitting in your easy chair indoors.
Zippo for the all-around, go anywhere, light anywhere.

My Zippos get the most use, maybe 10 to 1. I acknowledge, a Zippo is not, generally, considered “luxury.”

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Nice Lighters!

 

[PipeIT]

IM Corona Old Boy is my vote!

 

[Chasing Embers]

I acknowledge, a Zippo is not, generally, considered “luxury.”

That's the great thing about Zippo. Unlike many companies, they cover both ends of the spectrum.

 

[PipeIT]

@Chasing Embers that’s a nice looking Zippo.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yeah, but it still burns fuel that smells.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yeah, but it still burns fuel that smells.

Not an issue. Never really noticed it unless I smell the unlit lighter or the fuel can. Butane has an added smell that I find unpleasant though. Almost rotten egg like.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Not an issue. Never really noticed it unless I smell the unlit lighter or the fuel can.

You are unique! For many folks it is an issue that prevents them from using Zippos; others put up with it while using them.

 

[Raisedbands]

I don't need a luxury lighter when my Zippo's and my Bic's work just fine. The corona's and other similar lighter's look nice, but I can't justify spending $75 to $150 on a lighter. Especially when my lighters accomplish the same task at a fraction of the price. If I'm going to spend that much money on something pipe and cigar related, I'd rather just buy a new pipe, more tobacco or some nice cigars.

I have two fairly expensive torch lighters for my cigars. One I got on discount and the other I got free with a purchase of a box of cigars. Both lasted less than a year as they both stopped working. My $3 Ronson single torch lighter I got from Walmart about 13 years ago, still works like a champ and is one of my goto lighters that I use all the time. Between my Ronson torch lighter, my Zippo's and Bics; I don't need anything more.

I appreciate your sentiments, man; enjoyment of the tobacco is the main thing. But being that our pipes are a hobby and pastime I (personally) believe our lives are further enriched by artful and creatively engineered accessories. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever” (Shelley)
A lighter’s weight, feel and operation are something that is perpetually experienced/looked forward to/appreciated throughout a smokers life. A true-genuine Dunhill Unique (for instance) is subdued yet manly, with a tasteless, soft, butane, experience (almost as perfect as a match). I appreciate it every time I see it or use it, even to light a candle, much less a fine pipe packed full of a classic blend. Hopefully one of my son’s will enjoy it in the same way, if they don’t sell it for the same amount that I paid for it (or more). I do not mean to “mansplain” here; I know that a lighter is not a material necessity (none of a tobacconist’s repository is). I only hope to spread and increase enjoyment with these ideas. From cake to flake, to pipe, to lighter, to ashtray and back to tin/humidor; the human as creator is an amazing thing. Enjoy, my brother!

 

[Chasing Embers]

You are unique! For many folks it is an issue that prevents them from using Zippos; others put up with it while using them.

My enjoyment of smells like hot metal, welding, certain liquid fuels, and other solvents likely contribute.

 

[Peter - CCB]

I have a lot of different lighters of every type and I gotta say, the Old Boy is the most consistent for me.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

I wouldn’t classify an IM Corona Old Boy as Luxury, simply a good quality pipe lighter.

Anything to light a pipe is fine...

But, as an example, if you eventually started buying really expensive pipes, and wanted to keep them from getting the rims charred, you’d want to use a lighter designed for pipes with an adjustable flame.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with a Zippo or Bic, but you’d never catch me lighting an expensive pipe with them, given flame size, but then again, if they still make adjustable Bics, that would certainly be more helpful.

One last thing, I do notice the taste of Zippo fluid and in Bics too. I find really high quality butane cleaner tasting, which is the best reason to switch, if someone also notices this.

I've never tasted the fuel from my Bics, but I do from one of my Zippo's. Both of my Zippo's have a pipe insert, with one of them being a Z-pipe insert which uses Butane, so I don't taste the fuel with that one.

As for rim charring, I understand why some don't want to char the rim of their pipes; however, for me that's just part of the smoking process. If I need to clean my rims, some saliva and a paper towel work great.

 

[Chasing Embers]

if you eventually started buying really expensive pipes, and wanted to keep them from getting the rims charred, you’d want to use a lighter designed for pipes with an adjustable flame

Or pull the flame away from the pipe while still drawing. Any lighter will scorch a rim if applied too long or if held in place between draws. The flame of a Zippo pipe insert will return to its upward position when not drawing without coming into contact with the pipe's rim while an angled flame will touch the rim if held in place while not drawing. A lighter's design isn't going to correct the ability of the smoker. I light all of my pipes regardless of material or type with a Beattie and the flame never touches the rim due to technique.

 

[macaroni]

... That said, my favorite lighter is the Dunhill Rollagas, The silver version just feels so good in the hand. A have several of them, and the #1 problem is deteriorated o-rings,....The Chinese ST duPont lighters are completely reliable, very well made and enjoyable to hold.

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Ditto

Rollagas rock my world. Also Sylphs, Sylphides, and Uniques. The older the better. Fluid or gas. Lunging tonight with a Bic, however. LOL

NO beauties yet. Love Kiribi and Corrona, Nimrod and Zippos.

Lighters rock

BTW-Roy King was an artist with rolla's

 

[jpmcwjr]

A word on The Beattie Jet lighter: Not for beginners! It takes a real expert, such as chasing embers, to be able to use a Beattie properly.

I had one 50 years ago, loved it, and sorry when it was stolen. Don't want another, though, as my lighter warehouse is full.

 

[Puffaluffaguss]

My enjoyment of smells like hot metal, welding, certain liquid fuels, and other solvents likely contribute.

I swallowed about a half pint of gas siphoning gas out of my old 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix with the T-Tops, uh I miss her. Anyway I didn't stop burping gas for at least 6 hours no matter what I did. I didn't even light a cigarette I was afraid of ignition lol. Never again will I do that or light my pipe with anything that I can taste fuel. Just brings up that experience every time, and I like zippo pipe lighters

 

[Chasing Embers]

I swallowed about a half pint of gas siphoning gas out of my old 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix with the T-Tops, uh I miss her. Anyway I didn't stop burping gas for at least 6 hours no matter what I did. I didn't even light a cigarette I was afraid of ignition lol.

Been there several times myself.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A word on The Beattie Jet lighter: Not for beginners!

Basically the same flame type as a Zippo and definitely not a torch. It will blacken the edge of a meerschaum for sure but if someone is charring a briar rim with any lighter they should avoid them.

 

[stocrandy]

I usually recommend either a IM Corona Old Boy or for a less expensive Kiribi.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I usually recommend either a IM Corona Old Boy or for a less expensive Kiribi.

WElcome! Agree with your recommendations, plus a FauxPont.

Do introduce yourself in the thread for that, and tell us what you like to smoke, and in what...

 

[Professor Moriarty]

ZORRO 912S Windproof Lighter - Leak-Resistant Gasket Design, Upgraded Quality Fluid-Fill Lighter with Heavy-Duty Hinge and Ultra-Thick Construction​

Received this beauty today. Huge and Heavy. Replaced the included insert with a gold-flashed zippo pipe insert.
More of a tabletop lighter than a pocket lighter. Very nice.
Also, replaced the felt bottom of the pipe insert with a gasket seal, also available from Amazon--significant reduction in evaporation loss of lighter fluid.
This beast is the Hummer of zippo-type lighters.
Weighs approximately half a pound = 227 grams