Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Bombproof lighter?

I need a gift for someone and I know he would like one of those super hot lighters for starting fires in wet conditions. I've looked at a few in person and on the net and each has some design element I don't like. Any suggestions? I could do a search of the archives here but don't recall much specific on lighters and I'm in a bit of a hurry to spend much time digging.

My buddy and I have both had a Brunton Helios for about five years now, and they've served us well in the wilds of Idaho. I'd reccomend one of them, with the caviat that they are a bit spendy. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Backpacker magazine gave this lighter a 4.5 star review in their survival issue a while ago for what that's worth......

http://www.essentialgear.com/Windmi...ll-Stormproof-Lighters/product_info.html

I don't have one, or any hotrod lighter for that matter, but they're kind of tempting, 'cept for the price. I'd also like to have a Zippo just because it's an American icon. I've heard they evaporate themselves dry over time though.

Here's another one from the same company. Looks alot different, but holds more juice.
http://www.essentialgear.com/Windmi...ndmill-Trekker-Lighter/product_info.html

So far I have yet to be let down by my old Zippo.

But I've been intrigued by these fancy lighters on the market for a number of years....not enought to buy one yet though.

222Rem, Regarding Zippos, if your a smoker, you know the condition of your lighter, and replenish as necessary.
If not, I do what I read about in a magazine article a while back. First wrap the lighter in friction tape. As you start the wrap, secure a loop of 550 cord at the bottom on the hinge side securely. Fill with lighter fluid, put a spare wick and several flints in the bottom. Wrap with several layers of plastic wrap and seal with tape. Package with a can or two of fluid, and your GTG. When needed, remove from wrapping and attach an idiot cord through the loop, and girth hitch it to your belt. On cold days, you'll find that the tape keeps your skin from freezing to it, and when it's wet out, it isn't so slippery in cold hands. Shouldn't be your only source of fire making, but should last for a while. Wish I had thought of it. Regards, Jim

One of my backup lighters in my survival kit is from my cigar smoking days. It is a butaine lighter that is smaller than a bic, but lights up like a torch. Keep it warm (body heat) and it lights anything. Check a cigar shop.

NH Hunter.

I'm not impressed with the plastic butane marvels that are on the market now. A solution looking for a problem.

+1 on using a plain old Zippo. The thing I do that's a little different is to encase it in heat shrink tubing. This seems to be a little more lighter fluid resistant than electrical tape, and serves to provide some insulation and secure a 550 cord loop at the back. (Just like the tape idea.)

I use the lighter to light a votive candle, then use the candle to actually get the fire going. I carry several candles and some lighter fluid in a Zip-Loc bag. This setup has always worked, and it's as rugged as a 2 lb hammer.

Thanks for the tips. I don't smoke, so a Zippo would see very intermittent use. I'd read somewhere about hiding spare flint and wicks under the felt, but I like your tape and paracord idea. Maybe I'll go ahead and buy one. They're legendary, and I've always felt like I was missing out on something by not owning one.

I don't smoke, either. And yes, I have occasional problems remembering to fill the darn thing.

At work, we use Zippos to thaw padlocks, which are all over the project. You can hold the thing by its lid and toast the padlock until it drips. Then the lock mechanism will work for a few minutes. If you try using the typical disposable butane lighter, the lighter will burn your thumb before the lock thaws!

Any problem with these at high elevations, say over 10K?

If the question is about Zippos, they work fine at high elevations. Been there, done that.

I've had problems with earlier butane lighters and isopropane stoves at high elevations. I understand later designs have some of these problems worked out.

The problem I had with butane was it didn't work at 9000 ft if you had it in a pack pocket and it got cold (like 10�F or lower), but it worked OK once it warmed up. The problem with the stove canisters was just that they were used on the snow and they tended to either go out or put out a pitifully small flame when they were cold.

I know liquid fuels are messy, but they work. All the time.

I used this one from cabelas and was pleased. 10,000 ft was as high as I got though..
$39.99

Wind-proof ignition features a Piezo-electronic ignition system with a unique coil design that relights itself. A rubber O-ring gasket keeps the lighter waterproof when closed. The fuel window allows an instant check of the butane level, and refilling takes only seconds. When the lighter is on, a built-in indicator glows to show that the flameless burner is operating, and an adjustment ring allows changes to accommodate different altitudes and temperatures. An excellent addition to any outdoor gear bag, the lighter measures a compact 1-3/4" x 2-1/8" x 5/8". Shipped without butane. Use a premium butane for maximum performance. Limited Lifetime warranty.


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...cm_pla=0500801&cm_ite=0006842612710a

We have some little shack tobacco shops, kinda like a nicotine espresso stand. Maybe you have similar. I've found them to have some very good lighters.

I gave up on Bics about 4 or 5 years ago because when my fingers are cold and wet, the bics have too many little safeties and the wheel is too hard to spin. The piezo lighters are the best bang-for-buck IMO. I've found some that blast like a mini torch for under $4.

Thank you all.
2rocky, I checked each one mentioned above and had about decided on the Cabela's one you show when my wife found one shaped the same on sale at Sierra Trading Post, in a flyer we got in the mail. It claims high altitude performance for $38. I agreed that it had better features and went to check around a little more. Next thing I knew, she had ordered the Sierra Trading Post lighter. She can be real decisive... which is good.

The zippo is the only lighter that will stay lit without your finger on the plunger. Therefore you don't need to use a candle. You can set your zippo down and use your two hands to work on the fire stuff. I fill it with fluid before I leave the house for 3-4 day trips and it's good. I have a bottle of the fluid in my camp kitchen and can refill it when I'm camped out on longer trips.

I know that zippo is coming out with a butane lighter this year. It has a wheel sparker like the old zippos but you need to keep your thumb on the plunger to keep the fire going. They do look cool though.

Mark

Okanogen, what is the name of the one you purchased? I have family I want to get a good fire kit for...I'll try out yours and compare!