Durable lighter ideas

Pydpiper

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 4, 2005
Messages
1,778
Location
Brantford/Woodstock
I am looking for a lighter to keep in my pocket, I don't like the smell of Zippos.. I spend alot of time near the water fishing, camping, working, So water resistance is a must.
I live fairly aggressivly, camping, working, hunting, so it needs to be tough.
Small is always good too..
And one more thing.. I don't smoke, cigarrettes kill.
 
I really like my Brunton Helios. I don't smoke either, but it is rugged and windproof. Works well in the cold as well. I go hiking every weekend, and have had no problems starting cooking fires for a nice hot lunch and cup of Java.

I hear good things about the Windmill lighters as well.
 
Having had multiple lighters... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif
I'm going back to the KISS principle, meaning a normal flame, no jet or turbo flame prone to failure, and flint ignition.

I'm working on getting a Sarome lighter that is just that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
saromeview6jl.jpg


Simple and sturdy. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Just what my doctor ordered... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
vinosaur said:
I really like my Brunton Helios. I don't smoke either, but it is rugged and windproof. Works well in the cold as well. I go hiking every weekend, and have had no problems starting cooking fires for a nice hot lunch and cup of Java.

I hear good things about the Windmill lighters as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the one I was looking at last night as I made my post..
 
for me, the KISS principle points to a cheap disposable lighter by Cricket or Bic. I like the electronic ignition ones for use around water because they light better when wet.
 
I have several lighters (no, i dont smoke) that I wanted for BOB and such. I keep an Eddie Bauer butane lighter in my fatboy or pocket. They were pretty cheap and from target, they are just rebadged colibri's. They are pretty durable and I have never had any trouble having them light. I subjected them to a brief water test (under the faucet for a couple minutes, shake dry and light) and it worked fine. Keep in mind that these lighters are kind of sleek and i would try banging them against rocks or anything. i also have a brunton helios, which is basically an armored lighter. it seems to have a better ignition system than the colibri's (occasionaly...only once in awhile...do i have to hit the striker twice to get a flame on from the colibri...i've never had to do that with the helios). its a bit big to carry in ur pocket, but it is extremely durable. one thing i like is that the cover flips back to 180 degrees, enabling u to get a better lighting angle if u needed. of the two colibri's i have, both only open to about 130 degrees - 140 degrees. The helios also has a screw cover (which im glad is not a snap on) over the inlet valve. one major thing i like about the helios is that when you remove the cover, you can adjust the flame height with ur finger nail. both my other colibri's require a flat head screw driver or such. one of them uses a rubber/plastic screw to adjust the hieght, which is not strong at all and is wearing badly. most of us who are actually worrying about having a lighter with us almost always have a multitool or knife to get the job done, but i like being able to adjust the flame without a tool. the helios also has the clip to keep the cover closed, although i havent tested how water tight it is when its all closed up. anyway, hope this helps
 
Great info folks..
I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on something out there. You guys have some great lighter ideas, and luckily none of them are over 50 bucks!
 
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