Posted: 6/10/2026 12:07:00 PM EDT
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Used to be a smoker, so always carried some sort of matches or lighter. Having recently quit smoking, looking for a small pocket-sized liquid fuel flame source that will burn most anything for fuel, for infrequent but utterly reliable emergency use. Requirements: Must be self-sealing (NO fuel leaks over time), and fuel stored long-term must not deteriorate. Spare parts (fuel, flints, O-rings, wicks, whatever) easily and cheaply available. No built-in "instant-fail" Piezo igniters, please! Floating is a "bonus". Loops to attach cap to body of device very desirable, as is simplicity of access to/using the device. Should not take up much room in front pants pocket; call it about 3-1/2" long and about 1" dia. Must NOT be highly vulnerable to ambient winds. I've tried all the unshielded "peanut" lighters and found them lacking as regards to even light ambient winds blowing them out. Zippo lighters are not invulnerable to being blown out in very high winds, just sayin". Its understood that any user may need to shield the lighter's flame from ambient wind/rain. At least, let's start with a flame device which is not instantly extinguished by the slightest breeze or a few raindrops. |
| https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D341H4JB?tag=arfcom00-20 |
The right to own weapons is the right to be free.
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Originally Posted By MoonDancer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D341H4JB?tag=arfcom00-20;linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333278397648&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=101331&hvtargid=pla-4583932753882905&psc=1&msclkid=96dfc6b2a6cf18eb009aac9b35230e83 |
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Mea Culpa, dude. I have both single outlet and dual outlet Zippo inserts. I use them to light fires in our fireplace. I think I last filled them two years ago and they still have fuel in them. A bit of rain or wind isn't going to extinguish them. As a point of fact, you mentioned "Zippo" but not butane insert in your OP, hence my suggestion. Sorry I failed you. |
The right to own weapons is the right to be free.
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Originally Posted By MoonDancer: Mea Culpa, dude. I have both single outlet and dual outlet Zippo inserts. I use them to light fires in our fireplace. I think I last filled them two years ago and they still have fuel in them. A bit of rain or wind isn't going to extinguish them. Sorry I failed you. I've never knew Zippo made dual burner butane inserts, so I might buy one now since I have a case. Not a total failure 
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Originally Posted By Pennsilfaanisch: I've never knew Zippo made dual burner butane inserts, so I might buy one now since I have a case. Not a total failure I have a dual burner zippo, and i love it. They aren't expensive and work really well. I think OP is looking for a lighter that does not exist. The Meateater crew suggests mini bics for backcountry fire starting. They are light, cheap, and work well enough for them. |
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Wax is just a thick liquid. Somewhat less cheeky response: I'm not sure what you want exists. Something that doesn't get blown out, I think of a cooking blow torch, but I think they're single fuel or too big. Or piezo start. |
| The standard Bic lighter has worked since 1973. |
ProTip: Never pick a fight with a tree planter. He swings a hoedad for 9 hours a day, carries 30-40 pounds of seedlings on his back, and has 12-14 friends just like him hiding out on the other side of the junk butt pile. They will fuck your shit up.
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Originally Posted By raf: You ignored my explicit, initial requirements, and suggested dual-outlet Zippo butane insert; I already have a single outlet zippo Butane insert. I mentioned single Zippo Butane insert to be "unacceptable" for various reasons in original comments. I'm sure that you were trying to be helpful, but please pay attention.  “Please help me pick a lighter but piss off if you can’t give me exactly what I demand” Yeah that’s a great way to get help. Guess you can figure it out on your own. Good luck. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By raf: Used to be a smoker, so always carried some sort of matches or lighter. Having recently quit smoking, looking for a small pocket-sized liquid fuel flame source that will burn most anything for fuel, for infrequent but utterly reliable emergency use. Requirements: Must be self-sealing (NO fuel leaks over time), and fuel stored long-term must not deteriorate. Spare parts (fuel, flints, O-rings, wicks, whatever) easily and cheaply available. No built-in "instant-fail" Piezo igniters, please! Floating is a "bonus". Loops to attach cap to body of device very desirable, as is simplicity of access to/using the device. Should not take up much room in front pants pocket; call it about 3-1/2" long and about 1" dia. Must NOT be highly vulnerable to ambient winds. I've tried all the unshielded "peanut" lighters and found them lacking as regards to even light ambient winds blowing them out. Zippo lighters are not invulnerable to being blown out in very high winds, just sayin". Its understood that any user may need to shield the lighter's flame from ambient wind/rain. At least, let's start with a flame device which is not instantly extinguished by the slightest breeze or a few raindrops.  Exotac Titan Lighter: Titan Lighter I had completely forgot about this for over two years. No leakage of fuel and it lit up perfectly. It does have a shielded flame and it does work, but will still require some shielding in really strong winds. I don't think it floats, the only disadvantage, but flints, wicks and O-rings are easy to source. Size is cylindrical in size 3.25" long, 0.91" in diameter Much like the standard Zippo, it can use other fuel sources even if not optimal. This isn't something I would put in my pocket, but it's something I could put in my pack and forget about until needed. The price might make you catch your breath; it's not as cheap as a Zippo, but it's vastly superior in function (not necessarily form) and it's extremely high quality. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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I have one of these: https://vectorkgm.com/product/thunderbird-inserts/?v=84de8e2b14bb and one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TL51SXJ?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 The thunderbird is nice, it's exactly like an oil fueled zippo in the sense that it will keep burning if you set it down. The zippo insert requires you to keep holding the fuel valve. My thunderbird leaks down slowly over a few months, I'm not sure if that's a problem for all of them or I just got a leaky one. It will easily last for weeks. Recently I discovered MK. The local outdoor store carries them, I impulse bought one for a few bucks and was surprised that it's refillable and re-flintable. https://www.mklighter.com/ |
I know I'll never go home.
So set fire to your ships, and past regrets, and be free.
So set fire to your ships, and past regrets, and be free.
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Originally Posted By FredMan: The standard Bic lighter has worked since 1973. I concur. Mini-Bics have a high rate of failure, IME. I purchased about fifty mini-Bics two decades ago, and just about half were useless. I also stored away 25 Bics, and while the flints gave off stars, they lit. |
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Originally Posted By raf: Used to be a smoker, so always carried some sort of matches or lighter. Having recently quit smoking, looking for a small pocket-sized liquid fuel flame source that will burn most anything for fuel, for infrequent but utterly reliable emergency use. Requirements: Must be self-sealing (NO fuel leaks over time), and fuel stored long-term must not deteriorate. Spare parts (fuel, flints, O-rings, wicks, whatever) easily and cheaply available. No built-in "instant-fail" Piezo igniters, please! Floating is a "bonus". Loops to attach cap to body of device very desirable, as is simplicity of access to/using the device. Should not take up much room in front pants pocket; call it about 3-1/2" long and about 1" dia. Must NOT be highly vulnerable to ambient winds. I've tried all the unshielded "peanut" lighters and found them lacking as regards to even light ambient winds blowing them out. Zippo lighters are not invulnerable to being blown out in very high winds, just sayin". Its understood that any user may need to shield the lighter's flame from ambient wind/rain. At least, let's start with a flame device which is not instantly extinguished by the slightest breeze or a few raindrops. Genuinely curious about these two bolded requirements/features. Especially for infrequent use, why the need for the ability to use just about any available liquid fuel? Butane stores just about indefinitely. I’m still using the same 15-20 year old can of Vector quintuple filtered butane, because it’s only ever used to refill the lighters for camping/backpacking/hiking use, and the emergency pocket lighter I leave in the Winter coat. Non-smoker, so they aren’t used regularly, and refilled even less regularly. The oldest lighter is the UST Stormproof lighter that’s the same age as that can of Vector butane, which brings me to both the first AND second point. It’s a wind proof piezo fired lighter, and still lights first time, every time, despite being 15-20 years old. It’s sat in my pack for 2-3 years unused and untouched, and STILL fired up at the first click. When I was a kid, we had an old propane fired stove/oven. It was the type that had to be manually lit. We kept an old BBQ lighter in the drawer nearby to light the burners with. The butane had long been used up, but we kept using the piezo ignition to light the stove burners with every single day for as long as I can remember (definitely over a decade, into high school). I know flints tend to degrade over time, especially if there’s any moisture (folks storing Bic lighters for prepping have found that the flints in all of them, disintegrated in storage, and wouldn’t light). I’ve found piezo lighters that have to have been 20+ years old that still make a spark when you click them. |
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Originally Posted By bluemax_1: Genuinely curious about these two bolded requirements/features. Especially for infrequent use, why the need for the ability to use just about any available liquid fuel? It's really just versatility, but I agree. I have several cans of Zippo fuel and butane for those lighters and that stuff lasts a long time. Here's what I've found will work (less efficient) in a regular Zippo or similar construction: Zippo/Ronsonol lighter fluid Perfume/aftershave WD40 Nail Varnish Remover Gasoline/Petrol White gas Paint thinners I couldn't get kerosene or JP8 to reliably ignite. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Originally Posted By bluemax_1: I’ve found piezo lighters that have to have been 20+ years old that still make a spark when you click them. Do they work when wet? How long does it take to dry them out? The OP mentioned floating so I am guessing that wet is a concern. With flint most of the time you can replace the flint and keep going. I have looked off and on for a lighter with similar characteristics to the OP. Generally I carry a lighter from the end of summer through the end of spring. Works when needed is the most important characteristic. I remember struggling to get a fire lit when it was -25F outside. Even the Bic lighters stopped working if they were out of my pockets more than a couple of minutes. Fortunately I had two so I kept rotating them. I bought one of the first "Zippo Blu" lighters when they came out. It hasn't been reliable enough (multiple returns for warranty work) and they discontinued it so I went looking again. My last purchase was seven years ago and I bought a couple of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CTK24Q6?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6 I still carry one of them but my biggest gripe is they don't burn for long. I generally cannot light all of the candles on a birthday cake before the fuel gives out. I haven't needed them when wet but I have tested them wet. They have lit after being submerged but it takes more than a few tries to light them and fuel is wasted in each attempt. It doesn't fill me with confidence. I bought 9oz of butane when I bought the lighters and am still working through that supply. One 3oz can at home and a 3oz can in each of my vehicles. The butane lighters are nice that they are really hot and are hard to blow out. They run out of fuel quickly though. The Exotac Titan Lighter looks interesting to me. It looks like a twenty minute burn time when full which is a long time. The price is up there but I am guessing buy once cry once situation. The concern of flints deteriorating doesn't concern me that much. I am pretty comfortable buying a another set every couple of years and keeping tabs on them just like keeping them topped off with fuel. The Zippo Blu is kept in one of my packs with a small bottle of butane. There are two flints in a small zip-lock bag under a couple of raps of duct taped to the bottle of butane. And did you know that most actual duct tapes burns? Most of my outdoor lighters have a few raps of duct tape around them. I can peal it off and use it. Or I can peel it off and set it on fire. A three inch long piece burns for about five minutes and wind will struggle to blow it out. Some brands work better than others. So test it before depending on it. |
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: https://www.survivalmetrics.com/store/media/ecom/prodxl/eotactitanlighterfirestarterlarge3.jpg Exotac Titan Lighter: Titan Lighter I had completely forgot about this for over two years. No leakage of fuel and it lit up perfectly. It does have a shielded flame and it does work, but will still require some shielding in really strong winds. I don't think it floats, the only disadvantage, but flints, wicks and O-rings are easy to source. Size is cylindrical in size 3.25" long, 0.91" in diameter Much like the standard Zippo, it can use other fuel sources even if not optimal. This isn't something I would put in my pocket, but it's something I could put in my pack and forget about until needed. The price might make you catch your breath; it's not as cheap as a Zippo, but it's vastly superior in function (not necessarily form) and it's extremely high quality. ROCK6 Originally Posted By ROCK6: Originally Posted By raf: Used to be a smoker, so always carried some sort of matches or lighter. Having recently quit smoking, looking for a small pocket-sized liquid fuel flame source that will burn most anything for fuel, for infrequent but utterly reliable emergency use. Requirements: Must be self-sealing (NO fuel leaks over time), and fuel stored long-term must not deteriorate. Spare parts (fuel, flints, O-rings, wicks, whatever) easily and cheaply available. No built-in "instant-fail" Piezo igniters, please! Floating is a "bonus". Loops to attach cap to body of device very desirable, as is simplicity of access to/using the device. Should not take up much room in front pants pocket; call it about 3-1/2" long and about 1" dia. Must NOT be highly vulnerable to ambient winds. I've tried all the unshielded "peanut" lighters and found them lacking as regards to even light ambient winds blowing them out. Zippo lighters are not invulnerable to being blown out in very high winds, just sayin". Its understood that any user may need to shield the lighter's flame from ambient wind/rain. At least, let's start with a flame device which is not instantly extinguished by the slightest breeze or a few raindrops. https://www.survivalmetrics.com/store/media/ecom/prodxl/eotactitanlighterfirestarterlarge3.jpg Exotac Titan Lighter: Titan Lighter I had completely forgot about this for over two years. No leakage of fuel and it lit up perfectly. It does have a shielded flame and it does work, but will still require some shielding in really strong winds. I don't think it floats, the only disadvantage, but flints, wicks and O-rings are easy to source. Size is cylindrical in size 3.25" long, 0.91" in diameter Much like the standard Zippo, it can use other fuel sources even if not optimal. This isn't something I would put in my pocket, but it's something I could put in my pack and forget about until needed. The price might make you catch your breath; it's not as cheap as a Zippo, but it's vastly superior in function (not necessarily form) and it's extremely high quality. ROCK6 The above item (or same thing but smaller) was in the back of my mind when writing the OP. I concur that Exotac might be better served with a smaller EDC version. I apologize if some of my comments offended some folks. I have been in some pain due to a recent injury, and sometimes I can be ill-tempered. |
I'll be a bit of the contrarian.  Mini Bic cheap, easy, ubiquitous. But if you simply must, put one in the Exotac sleeve. Refillable and spare parts shouldn't be an issue for EDC carry and use. Silly requirement that sounds good on paper, but the more you think about it, the sillier it gets. Sure, you 'could' find yourself walking a post-apocalyptic wasteland with only what is in your pockets, but doubtful. You will most likely be lighting birthday candles or a campfire. And if you can't manage the wind, that's a you problem and not an issue with the lighter. |
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Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: Silly requirement that sounds good on paper, but the more you think about it, the sillier it gets. Sure, you 'could' find yourself walking a post-apocalyptic wasteland with only what is in your pockets, but doubtful. You will most likely be lighting birthday candles or a campfire. Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: Silly requirement that sounds good on paper, but the more you think about it, the sillier it gets. Sure, you 'could' find yourself walking a post-apocalyptic wasteland with only what is in your pockets, but doubtful. You will most likely be lighting birthday candles or a campfire. I suspect that you and I have differing experiences. I remember one day years ago when we were out with family in a national park and we got pulled into a search and rescue operation. There was a river through the park that was popular for canoeing. A couple of teenage girls were canoeing and got caught up in a nasty electrical storm, hard rain, hail. They abandoned their canoe and got lost. Weather was total crap and we got pulled in to help with minimal preparation. We were literally sitting in a picnic area trying to wait out the rain when we were approached and asked if we could help. We were the ones that found the girls and got them back to their family. I have participated in a couple of other search and rescues. One common theme is that you never know how long you will be out or what you will encounter. I recall one that still makes me chuckle. I was paired with a couple of firefighters and we were searching an area near a river for a six year old boy. It was May, late at night/early morning and the vegetation was farm fields and thick brush. At one point one firefighter asked the other "Whose idea was it to wear our turnout coats?" The second guy answered "yours" and the first guy responded. "Well you can kick my ass when we get back." I responded "well I was just admiring them because all of these briars, vines, and thorns are cutting me to ribbons and you guys aren't bleeding at all. " I have had nice walks turn into much longer adventures because people needed assistance. Everything from missing pets, injuries, disabled vehicles, to people that just didn't want to do it any more. I have encountered an unexpected and very cold pop-up thunderstorm when my wife and I were miles from home on a summer walk. She weighs about 80 pounds and has issues with hypothermia very quickly. Fortunately my son was home and he picked us up. We were about three miles out, turned around to head back and were shocked to see the black clouds coming up behind us. Were soaked in the ten minutes that it took him to reach us. Yes, that one was on us but the dangers don't care how we got there. Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: And if you can't manage the wind, that's a you problem and not an issue with the lighter. Again, differing experiences. I recall one particular time it was -20F, minimal snow, steady wind, and I was trying to get a fire going. The wind was blowing through the wood that I was piling up to make a fire. I found a couple of small pieces of cardboard that helped some. I couldn't dig up the ground to make a wind break. There wasn't any natural barrier around that I could use. The bic lighters only worked for a few seconds each time that I took them out of my pockets. Even using hand warmer lighter fluid as an accelerant it took a few tries to get the fire going. Seriously, if you have suggestion then I would welcome them (not to derail the thread) because that wasn't pleasant and I know that people that have been there often have suggestions that other people have not considered. I am going to seriously consider any device that fits into my EDC that will improve my ability to start a fire because I have been through situations where not being able to get warm is life threatening. |
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Originally Posted By 2Hut8: I suspect that you and I have differing experiences. I remember one day years ago when we were out with family in a national park and we got pulled into a search and rescue operation. There was a river through the park that was popular for canoeing. A couple of teenage girls were canoeing and got caught up in a nasty electrical storm, hard rain, hail. They abandoned their canoe and got lost. Weather was total crap and we got pulled in to help with minimal preparation. We were literally sitting in a picnic area trying to wait out the rain when we were approached and asked if we could help. We were the ones that found the girls and got them back to their family. I have participated in a couple of other search and rescues. One common theme is that you never know how long you will be out or what you will encounter. I recall one that still makes me chuckle. I was paired with a couple of firefighters and we were searching an area near a river for a six year old boy. It was May, late at night/early morning and the vegetation was farm fields and thick brush. At one point one firefighter asked the other "Whose idea was it to wear our turnout coats?" The second guy answered "yours" and the first guy responded. "Well you can kick my ass when we get back." I responded "well I was just admiring them because all of these briars, vines, and thorns are cutting me to ribbons and you guys aren't bleeding at all. " I have had nice walks turn into much longer adventures because people needed assistance. Everything from missing pets, injuries, disabled vehicles, to people that just didn't want to do it any more. I have encountered an unexpected and very cold pop-up thunderstorm when my wife and I were miles from home on a summer walk. She weighs about 80 pounds and has issues with hypothermia very quickly. Fortunately my son was home and he picked us up. We were about three miles out, turned around to head back and were shocked to see the black clouds coming up behind us. Were soaked in the ten minutes that it took him to reach us. Yes, that one was on us but the dangers don't care how we got there. Again, differing experiences. I recall one particular time it was -20F, minimal snow, steady wind, and I was trying to get a fire going. The wind was blowing through the wood that I was piling up to make a fire. I found a couple of small pieces of cardboard that helped some. I couldn't dig up the ground to make a wind break. There wasn't any natural barrier around that I could use. The bic lighters only worked for a few seconds each time that I took them out of my pockets. Even using hand warmer lighter fluid as an accelerant it took a few tries to get the fire going. Seriously, if you have suggestion then I would welcome them (not to derail the thread) because that wasn't pleasant and I know that people that have been there often have suggestions that other people have not considered. I am going to seriously consider any device that fits into my EDC that will improve my ability to start a fire because I have been through situations where not being able to get warm is life threatening. Going for a walk in the woods or a National Park, temperature extremes, etc. are much more specific events that require a different level of equipment to do safely. Again, being the contrarian to stimulate discussion.  As far as trying to start a fire in the wind when it's 20 below, I would prefer UCO Titan stormproof matches, some sort of solid fuel tablet for cooking like an Esbit or Fire Dragon (BCB product), Best wet weather fire starter I have ever heard of was during my Colorado Hunter Safety Course eons ago. Papa Bear Whitmore video where he recommended carrying a vial of calcium carbide. It gets wet and gives off acetylene gas, which is kinda easy to light and you just add water if the flame starts to die down. |
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Originally Posted By Bubbatheredneck: I'll be a bit of the contrarian. Mini Bic cheap, easy, ubiquitous. But if you simply must, put one in the Exotac sleeve. Refillable and spare parts shouldn't be an issue for EDC carry and use. Silly requirement that sounds good on paper, but the more you think about it, the sillier it gets. Sure, you 'could' find yourself walking a post-apocalyptic wasteland with only what is in your pockets, but doubtful. You will most likely be lighting birthday candles or a campfire. And if you can't manage the wind, that's a you problem and not an issue with the lighter. Requiring "Refillable and replaceable parts" certainly can be an EDC issue. Replacement flints in bottom of Zippo case is a trick known even to newbies, and replacement fuel--of some sort--is not usually hard to find. I concur that "managing the wind" often goes "right up there" with "managing the precipitation" that so often accompanies wind. These things are learned skills which require some practice under "benign" conditions before proceeding further. One of the reasons why lighters, similar to Zippo lighters, are made with internal Caps for the wick and gasket-sealed caps for the bottom of the lighter insert. Combined, both added devices go far to extend the time between refills that typical Zippo lighters require. IMHO, uncapped Zippo wick is by far the worst source of fuel evap, not to mention fuel smell. Most of these "improved" zippo style lighters, with internal wick caps, are foreign made, as are the gasketed base plates for the bottom of the insert. IDK where "ROI" point is reached vice expense of fuel but might be sooner than one expects. If fuel is legitimately hard to find, then importance of conserving what fuel one has goes up greatly. |
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Originally Posted By migradog: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/47594/IMG_2040-3779189.png |
| I did buy a Exotac TitanLight. It will be a bit before I would be comfortable actually giving it a review but so far I will say that it may be marginally better than a traditional liquid fueled Zippo Lighter. Flare ups are a thing. Keeping it upright in your pocket may help with that. The body of the lighter gets hot if you leave it lit for any length of time. It runs for a long time but not with a consistent flame. I haven't really had it long enough to tell how long it maintains fluid.... I will spend a bit more time on it and report back. |
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Originally Posted By 2Hut8: I did buy a Exotac TitanLight. It will be a bit before I would be comfortable actually giving it a review but so far I will say that it may be marginally better than a traditional liquid fueled Zippo Lighter. Flare ups are a thing. Keeping it upright in your pocket may help with that. The body of the lighter gets hot if you leave it lit for any length of time. It runs for a long time but not with a consistent flame. I haven't really had it long enough to tell how long it maintains fluid.... I will spend a bit more time on it and report back. I really do enjoy the exotac but I found those flareups were frequent enough to dry out the Oring and cause leaks/fluid to evaporate. After going through a few O rings I decided it wasn't for me. Now, I could've been doing something wrong the entire time so YMMV. |
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Originally Posted By texmarine0331: I really do enjoy the exotac but I found those flareups were frequent enough to dry out the Oring and cause leaks/fluid to evaporate. After going through a few O rings I decided it wasn't for me. Now, I could've been doing something wrong the entire time so YMMV. To be clear, I don't use my Titan very often but haven't had those issues. I've let it run like a candle for a long period (drying out the fuel) and it does heat up, but not flareups and no issues with the O-rings drying out. I just like that it's superior to the Zippo in that I can just leave it in my pack and forget about it and if I need fire, it's been extremely reliable and I haven't observed any leakage of fuel. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: To be clear, I don't use my Titan very often but haven't had those issues. I've let it run like a candle for a long period (drying out the fuel) and it does heat up, but not flareups and no issues with the O-rings drying out. I just like that it's superior to the Zippo in that I can just leave it in my pack and forget about it and if I need fire, it's been extremely reliable and I haven't observed any leakage of fuel. ROCK6 I am comfortable that overfilling is at least one cause of the flare ups. The instructions say to saturate the internal cotton with lighter fluid. I know that I have gone beyond that. I filled it with the cap off once and had fluid dripping out along the wick. I filled it with as much as it would hold to see how long I could get it to run. You can tell that it is going to be an issue when you remove the cap and find lighter fluid pooled within the cap. |
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I think your lighter choice depends on what you're doing with the lighter. If this is a glovebox or household item: two is one, one is none, etc. Tube of storm proof matches, a bic, ferro rod all aren't unreasonable. If EDC: it is hard to beat a Bic. I know this is a compromise in the face of your listed requirements, but realistically, it's unlikely that you'll need to build a campfire in a snowstorm in your daily travels. I also don't see any value in being able to use random fuels for EDC. If you're needing to scrounge for fuel, either your lighter has failed or you've lit a lot of fires already. If preparing for a camping trip, hike, or similar: I go back to the "two is one" mentality. ETA: after doing a bit of research it appears that peanut-type cases are available for Bics. This would certainly help protect the flint from corroding due to humidity. |
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Originally Posted By 302w: I think your lighter choice depends on what you're doing with the lighter. If this is a glovebox or household item: two is one, one is none, etc. Tube of storm proof matches, a bic, ferro rod all aren't unreasonable. If EDC: it is hard to beat a Bic. I know this is a compromise in the face of your listed requirements, but realistically, it's unlikely that you'll need to build a campfire in a snowstorm in your daily travels. I also don't see any value in being able to use random fuels for EDC. If you're needing to scrounge for fuel, either your lighter has failed or you've lit a lot of fires already. If preparing for a camping trip, hike, or similar: I go back to the "two is one" mentality. ETA: after doing a bit of research it appears that peanut-type cases are available for Bics. This would certainly help protect the flint from corroding due to humidity. Almost nobody stores collectible Zippos with the flints installed, and for good reason. For mid-term storage, probably a number of Bics suitably encased is the most reasonable solution. |
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Originally Posted By raf: I think you may have a point, at least as far as cost-effectiveness goes. None of the lightweight plastic lidded Bic holders mention being able to float, even though most are said to be waterproof. Problem with Bics is that AFAIK, they are struck/lit at least once for testing at factory. This removes any coating on the flint which protects the flint (and the striker wheel) from welding together over a long time. Almost nobody stores collectible Zippos with the flints installed, and for good reason. For mid-term storage, probably a number of Bics suitably encased is the most reasonable solution. I agree 100% about flints failing. I'm not exactly sure how long it takes, but I know I have had to drill out flints on vintage lighters. Just a thought - Clipper lighters allow you to refill flints and butane. You could put a fresh one in, but I would still strike it periodically anyway. |
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Originally Posted By 2Hut8: I am comfortable that overfilling is at least one cause of the flare ups. The instructions say to saturate the internal cotton with lighter fluid. I know that I have gone beyond that. I filled it with the cap off once and had fluid dripping out along the wick. I filled it with as much as it would hold to see how long I could get it to run. You can tell that it is going to be an issue when you remove the cap and find lighter fluid pooled within the cap. On the topic of flare ups. In an effort to make an attempt at semi-scientific testing procedures, I filled the Exotac TitanLight as full as I could get it. I know that it is overfilled but it is the only way that I know to really measure how much fluid is in there so each test starts with the same amount of fluid. My intent is to try to build a baseline for how long it lasts. I left it in my pocket for over a week. At the end of that week, I needed some tape so the tape wrapped around the lighter got used. After I replaced the tape, I was playing with the lighter, removed the cap, and lit it. The funny thing is that at some point I got lighter fluid on my thumb. So when the lighter lit, the end of my thumb caught fire. So the lighter is burning, the end of my thumb is on fire, and son is watching me. I blow my thumb out and he asks "what kind of lighter is that?" I am not sure if he wanted one or not...... |
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Originally Posted By 302w: I agree 100% about flints failing. I'm not exactly sure how long it takes, but I know I have had to drill out flints on vintage lighters. Just a thought - Clipper lighters allow you to refill flints and butane. You could put a fresh one in, but I would still strike it periodically anyway. I don't know how well lighter fluid protects flints, but the old Zippo TTP was to put a spare wick and a couple of flints in the cotton packing. I've never had a flint corrode if I kept fuel in it. I need to see if the Exotac lighter can fit the same.. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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OP, I have been pretty impressed with the usb chargeable electric fire starters I have. One is the shape of a zippo and has a light and pocket clip, the other is long and slender with a retracting set of electrodes. Both seem to offer pretty decent battery life and are USB rechargeable, which means they can be kept topped off with a small 5V solar panel that would fit in a backpack pocket. There are a shitload of these on Amazon, take your pick! |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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I do have some solar recharging devices but based on trials the larger the collector panel the quicker the charge. Large cap Batts require significant charging time with equipment I have; perhaps more advanced solar panels now available. A lot depends on the size of the panel one can comfortably pack and deploy. Most panels and cabling/wiring are not waterproof, nor even rain resistant. Most solar panels exhibit significantly reduced output if caried on pack surfaces while encased in clear plastic to resist water. I'll look into such Elec-based lighters and see if anything interesting comes up. TYVM for the suggestion. ETA: after some limited looking, it seems most USB rechargeable "ignition devices" (for lack of a better term) have intended use as lighting candles, igniting gas burning devices, and perhaps cigarettes. Not verified, but I suppose that such items could light Alcohol stoves and maybe Sterno, if temps allow. All of these units require built-in, possibly proprietary Batts, which are known to have a finite lifespan, usually about 1K full recharges, at most; varying with type/quality of Batt and quality charging electronics. Unsure if either applies to these devices. since built-in Batts seem to be very common, let's hope your charging cable does not get lost, nor suffer a failure. Note that few, if any of these devices are water-resistant, mostly the ones that have a Zippo-like cap. Unsure about charging port; some charging ports clearly within sealed ("O-ring") cap, some others are vague. This item (just as an example, not necessarily suggested) claims to be "waterproof": USB W/P Device Note its size and weight. I think that such a device, using standard and/or rechargeable user replaceable AAA/AA batts would eliminate internal device charging circuits and so forth, making the unit considerably cheaper. Similar units could be offered with optional internal charging circuitry for replaceable rechargeable Batts, allowing them to be directly connected to multiple power sources. I think this sort of "Igniter" might have some "legs" depending on its design. I'm not willing to buy anything yet seen for any sort of "field use". |