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Lighter reviews
madurofan
Posts: 6,219 ✭✭✭
The Looking for a New Lighter thread inspired me to start this thread. We've all discussed our lighters here and there but I wanted to start this as a real review thread for them. This is not your "I have a Colibri and I love it" thread, this is a detailed review. Try to be objective but let us know what you think of your lighter. Also please don't include any you tried once. Stick to your lighter that you've had for a while. In most people's mind consistency and durability are important features almost every lighter works great for a few weeks.
I decided to break out two of my old backup lighters. A colibri talon and a Cigar Savor that came in the Montecristo Anniversario pack.
I think I paid $10 for the colibri when they went out of business a while back. Its probably been a year since I've used it because the torch flame wasn't strong anymore and I figured it was crapping out. I cleaned it by spraying some butane down into the Jet and refilled it, as soon as it warmed it it was firing on the first or second click each time and seemed strong.
I like the way this one feels in my hand and the flame adjustment is large and easy to use.
My only complaint about it before the flame got weak was that the tank is huge but once its about half way empty it acts like it is completely empty, no gas comes out or its real weak. So you have to bleed half a tank of butane out every time it gets low.
The Cigar Savor was essentially free as my Dad bought the Montecristo sampler at a monte event that came with the cutter and lighter and the rep gave him two more of the lighter because he said the batch of lighters in the sampler had issues but the ones he gave him did not. Anyway my dad gave me one of the "good" ones, it's kind of like a Xikar Executive but not as curvy. It has a built in punch which works well.
Honestly the flame on this one is probably the most powerful and consistent of the 3 lighters I have its tight and is really windproof.
The only complaint I have on it is that it usually takes two or 3 clicks to fire and it just looks cheap. The rubberized paint chips off very easily. It also is extremely difficult to adjust the flame, the adjust ment ring is plastic and right around the refill nipple. I've used this one the least but it has been used for at least 20 or so cigars and I've had it for around 2 years. I'm using it as we speak on an Alec Braadley Family Blend. I used the punch and the lighter after a little cleaning and refill.
Finally is my everyday lighter. Its a Xikar Genesis in gunmetal.
I originally had a Xikar Plunge but after sending it back 3 times in 6 months they sent me the genesis as a replacement. The Plunge in my experience was terrible I hated the flip up top because the flame at full blast was barely above it so I was constantly hitting the cigar with it and ash and debris would fall down in the jet meaning I had to clean it out with compressed air and butane everytime I refilled. Also the butane tank was tiny.
Back to the Genesis, its been pretty good. If I keep the jet clean it works well but when the jet gets dirty it renders it damn near useless. The flame is good not as pinpoint as the Cigar Savor but strong enough for anything strong of stron wind.
How far you have to slide the button to ignite it is a little uncomfortable but not enough so that I would recommend against it. My only real beef is that you pretty much have to have it on full blast for it to ignite.
It is on the small side for a lighter and would feel small if you have big hands but I personally don't and I'm fine with the size.
The finish is tough to call. With in a couple of weeks the clearcoat over the gunmetal had completely wore off but to me the patina that results in the gunmetal is beautiful, it makes it look antique. But if you want your lighter to remain shiny and beautiful I'd recommend against the gunmetal.
I hope this helps anyone in the market for a lighter and look forward to reading about yours.
I decided to break out two of my old backup lighters. A colibri talon and a Cigar Savor that came in the Montecristo Anniversario pack.
I think I paid $10 for the colibri when they went out of business a while back. Its probably been a year since I've used it because the torch flame wasn't strong anymore and I figured it was crapping out. I cleaned it by spraying some butane down into the Jet and refilled it, as soon as it warmed it it was firing on the first or second click each time and seemed strong.
I like the way this one feels in my hand and the flame adjustment is large and easy to use.
My only complaint about it before the flame got weak was that the tank is huge but once its about half way empty it acts like it is completely empty, no gas comes out or its real weak. So you have to bleed half a tank of butane out every time it gets low.
The Cigar Savor was essentially free as my Dad bought the Montecristo sampler at a monte event that came with the cutter and lighter and the rep gave him two more of the lighter because he said the batch of lighters in the sampler had issues but the ones he gave him did not. Anyway my dad gave me one of the "good" ones, it's kind of like a Xikar Executive but not as curvy. It has a built in punch which works well.
Honestly the flame on this one is probably the most powerful and consistent of the 3 lighters I have its tight and is really windproof.
The only complaint I have on it is that it usually takes two or 3 clicks to fire and it just looks cheap. The rubberized paint chips off very easily. It also is extremely difficult to adjust the flame, the adjust ment ring is plastic and right around the refill nipple. I've used this one the least but it has been used for at least 20 or so cigars and I've had it for around 2 years. I'm using it as we speak on an Alec Braadley Family Blend. I used the punch and the lighter after a little cleaning and refill.
Finally is my everyday lighter. Its a Xikar Genesis in gunmetal.
I originally had a Xikar Plunge but after sending it back 3 times in 6 months they sent me the genesis as a replacement. The Plunge in my experience was terrible I hated the flip up top because the flame at full blast was barely above it so I was constantly hitting the cigar with it and ash and debris would fall down in the jet meaning I had to clean it out with compressed air and butane everytime I refilled. Also the butane tank was tiny.
Back to the Genesis, its been pretty good. If I keep the jet clean it works well but when the jet gets dirty it renders it damn near useless. The flame is good not as pinpoint as the Cigar Savor but strong enough for anything strong of stron wind.
How far you have to slide the button to ignite it is a little uncomfortable but not enough so that I would recommend against it. My only real beef is that you pretty much have to have it on full blast for it to ignite.
It is on the small side for a lighter and would feel small if you have big hands but I personally don't and I'm fine with the size.
The finish is tough to call. With in a couple of weeks the clearcoat over the gunmetal had completely wore off but to me the patina that results in the gunmetal is beautiful, it makes it look antique. But if you want your lighter to remain shiny and beautiful I'd recommend against the gunmetal.
I hope this helps anyone in the market for a lighter and look forward to reading about yours.
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Comments
No issues getting it through the airport? do you have to check the fuel tank?
The first real cigar lighter I bought was a cheap CI one and it was terribad so I've been waiting to buy the perfect lighter and doing research on them for ove a year now. but for now the bic works great as long as you stay out of the wind, sometimes easier said than done in oklahoma.
I have the Xikar Executive Lighter - Gun Metal, it works but its an ongoing pissing contest. I have to keep adjusting the flame size in order for it to work correctly. It could be me but who knows. I need to upgrade from the $20 lighter.
I also have the Colibri Grip Man O' War Ruination Cutter, now this is a POS! It's not really sharpe enough, It pinches more then cuts; which has created some small problems.
Bluerings mentioned the Cuban Crafters Perfecto so going to have to give that a try.
come on guys ...