Random Question About Lighters
 

Hi all, first time poster here with some questions. :)

So I have a friend who'se used a Colibri Firebird Quorum for awhile but the other day he told me it finally bit the dust. For those of you whom are unaware about that style of lighter, the one he uses lights via a little button on the side (like how those Colibri Enterprise triple flame torches work) that you push inwards with your thumb. Due to having limited muscle range and ability and dexterity on one side because of a birth defect, my friend is unable to push down on the ignition button of most lighters with his right thumb if he's a lighter in his right hand while he's holding a cigar with his left (and perfectly fine) left hand. Yet somehow he's been able to push the side button on his Colibri Firebird Quorum with his right hand with no trouble. Practice I guess.

Anywho, do any other more reputable torch companies (i.e. Xikar) make torches that are light via buttons on the side that you would push inwards with your thumb? I was thinking of surprising him with a new (and better quality) lighter if I could find one for him that lights that in that manner so he can use it.

I do know about the Xikar Executive single jet flame lighter, but have read quite a few reviews that state it's quite unreliable. Is that true?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated guys.

P.S. To give you a clearer example of what I mean, this is the lighter that he's been using. You light it by pressing your thumb in where those 3 little lines are on the side at the top.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Firebird-Coli...,nCnQ~~_35.JPG

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

The Xikar Executive has been very good to my wife. She loves it. Mosey on over to the New Inmates section and introduce yourself.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Tiger makes some inexpensive, fairly reliable thumb actuated designs. Search Amazon for them.
4-15 bucks as I recall, treat them like Ronson Jetlites, if they tank, toss it and grab the next.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Forgot to mention I'm in Ontario, Canada.

Due to my locaton, Amazon.com might be a bit of a problem. Are there any Canadian site alternatives?

And I thought sending a torch lighter from the US to Canada through the mail was a no-no anyway?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I love my Xikar lighters, and if there is ever a problem you can send it back and they will fix/replace it for you.

I bought a Colibri lighter, and it worked 1 time and that was it. So, I try to send it back to them, but they went out of business without telling anyone. Now, they are back in business, but I say screw them. I am never buying Colibri again the rest of my life.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I have a Xikar that is almost identical to that. It even has a sleeve. It works great, but I have to be real careful refilling it. It's very easy to click it while refilling, and it caused me to eat a giant fireball once. It wasn't pretty.
This is the one I have.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I have to agree with the Xikar. If it stops working, they fix it or give you another one.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Didn't they do a deal where their workers showed up to work and the doors were locked and a sign was on the door that posted a date the following week when they could retrieve their personal effects?
Imagine if someone's medicine was at work?
I'm with you, brother. Colibri can suck it.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I should mention, I bet Xikar would ship to Canada. I just linked Lighters Direct because that's where I found a pic of my lighter. I wouldn't buy there, I don't know if they're trustworthy or not. Sorry for being lazy!!! :)

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Yeah I do know about the Xikar Executive single jet flame lighter, but have read quite a few reviews that state it's quite unreliable. Is that true?

Do Xikar make any other or better lighters that you activate on the side with your thumb?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Executive pic:
http://frachelli.com/wp-content/uplo...KARlighter.jpg
Versa:
http://xikar.com/images/product/556_detail.jpg
XTX single:
http://xikar.com/images/gallery/xtx-single.jpg

I have used the big brother table lighters of the last two styles at B&Ms with good results.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I believe so.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

That made me laugh! :tu


Here is a pricey one,Refillable Butane Torch Lighter: Tonino Lamborghini Il Toro :
http://www.brookstone.com/webassets/...00/760435p.jpg

Bugatti B1:
http://www.theshaggyfoot.com/wp-cont...ttiLighter.jpg

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I have had zero issue with that Xikar, it fires every time without fail.
They make lighters with all kinds of goofy triggers. Shop through their lighters page.
Someone already mentioned it, but you can return any Xikar anything, anywhere, or ship it back to them and they'll repair or replace it free, forever.
I fail to see how you can beat that.
A lot of lighters can get fussy about what kind of butane you put in them, or so it's said. Personally, I don't think it's the butane as much as how they get full of air and need purged from time to time.
I've found that if I use butane with a metal tip, I have nothing but problems. If I use butane with a plastic tip and purge the tip before I fill, I have zero problems.
It's a crazy mystery. Lighters have always been a pain in the ass for me.
I have the best luck with table-top models. I still haven't found my table-top lighters, they got packed away when I moved and they're still lost. When I find them, it'll solve all my problems.
Xikar has a side trigger table top, you might want to look at that?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

ST Dupont Xtend lighter is one button push lighter similar to your request.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

As nice as those look, they cost $300+ Canadian. No way in hell I can afford that.

As a poor and only occasional smoker myself (due to being poor), for that kinda $ I could buy a really good box of smokes for myself I'm sure.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I purchased the Bugatti B-1 and love it.

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...BUGLIT2&cat=13

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I don't like to assume someone's pocket is only so deep. I hear ya, that is a lot of money for a lighter. One tip, don't buy an Colibri or Prometheus lighters.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

FWIW: one Colibri & it s--t the bed. Now use Coleman Green Piston Wind Resistant Lighter. Works fine for about $18.00.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Here's a random question.

What makes a lighter not light, even though it has good spark, good fuel, and will produce a flame if you light it with another lighter?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Yeah I looked at that lighter. How long have you had yours up and running for?

I wish there was a Youtube video of somebody demonstrating the Xikar Versa, that one had me curious too.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I like anything Tiger makes. I've had some Xikars that stopped working and never took the time to get them fixed. I have a couple Tiger dual flame lighters that I bought off ebay years ago that still work great. If you can find any Blue Rhino lighters, they are also very good. I saw some on ebay a couple months ago.


MCS

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I also have two of these...black one...and they've been working like a champ for about 16 months. You can usually find these 2/$ 30. :tu :tu

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Not sure if the thumb dexterity would be an issue with this one, but I love my Evertorch. Similar in design to the Dupont soft flames, it's a convertible that has both soft flame and torch. Replicant_Argent on this board is the guy to contact about them.

http://www.stogietorch.com/

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I've had it since June of last year and so far no issues.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Canadian Tire will carry the Ronson Jetlite from time to time in the 5 - 10 dollar range.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Xikar has a new improved Executive.
http://www.xikar.com/products/lighters/executive/

Nice heft to it and little larger capacity compared to the old version.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Retro by Promethus great lighter so far.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Yeah I'm trying to narrow it down between an Executive or a Xikar Versa

How much fuel can an Executive hold?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

There's a mod, trimming the spring under the trigger, that can make the Jet Lite MUCH easier to light with MUCH less pressure required.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Princess Auto also carries them and the closest one to you is in... Sudbury....:rolleyes:
What is your addy and I'll pop one in the mail. I keep them on hand to include in 'packages'

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I bought a lighter few days ago on a a wholesale online store ,I think that is a good smartphone that has good quality and reasonable price :noon

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

But she was "Connecting people, powering the would".:r

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I really couldnt say for sure as I havent spent much time using it yet. It appears they are about the same. The question with the versa vs executive is what is the price point you are comfortable paying. Its nice that the versa has a built in punch cutter. :)

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

+1 for the Versa, I love mine.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Was talking to my friend (who I primarily am buying this sort of lighter for given his lack of dexterity and muscle range) and he said he would light his old Colibri Firebird Quorum by holding it vertically sideways so that the ignitor would be facing his shirt (with the flame adjustment wheel pointing forward) and he'd squeeze it to light it.

Can you light the Xikar Executives or Versa's if you hold them that way?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I know the brand is generally frowned upon in most circles but what about the Colibri "Maui" lighter?

http://www.brookstone.com/webassets/...00/760597p.jpg

Small. Nice shape. and thumb activated.

Yay or nay?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

No Colibri, ever. While some may be trouble free, overall, disappointment waits. I suppose if it is super cheap, you might be able to justify failure prematurely .

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I will loudly second this. I got mine from Pete and it stays on my desk which means it gets used 20 to 30 times a day. Flawless is the first word followed by functional with it's dual use set up of soft or torch at the push of a button and it just looks really good also.

Can't go wrong with it at all.

Ron

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Unless you can get a hold of an old one. I have one from back in the 80's. A couple of years ago it finally quit working and I sent it in for repairs. They repaired and cleaned it at no charge (returned my check) which surprised me.

Paid over $100 for it when it was new which at that time was pretty much unheard of. In those days most just used whatever - we didn't have the choices we do today unless you were going for a DuPont.

Ron

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I know these don't have the thumb switch but are very reliable...been using one for over 18 months without an issue. Just picked up two more. The can be had for 2 at $ 30. :tu :tu

http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/v...large_7611.jpg

http://www.elighters.com/coblpiwireli.html

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

It annoys me how Colibri as a whole seems to be of such poor quality. For the amount of money that you pay for their products in Canadian dollars..you'd think they'd be damn good or at least half decent. Plus alot of their lighters look so nice.

I showed a picture of that Maui to my friend and he said that with it's design and shape it would have been perfect for him to hold and light too. Damn shame.

Are there any other lighters made by more reputable companies that have the thumb ignition that you push in on the side look like or very similiar to that Colibri Maui?

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

For the money you can't go wrong with the Vector MAX. It was the 1st lighter I bought and I still use it to this day. I have a 3 torch Xikar bought new that gives me fits. I go back to the single torch MAX and it never fails.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

My personal favorite is the Vector Urbano. It's a triple torch with a fold out punch cutter that retails for under $20.
http://i.imgur.com/6LX9Hl.jpg
I've had mine for over a year. Lights every time. The only thing it ever needs is an occasional bleed before refilling.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I actually have to stand up and defend Colibri at this point, strange as it may seem.

The company went through several changes of hands in the last 15 years before the current company as it is today came to exist about 3 years ago. Now, most of the newer Colibri lighters I've played with are equal in quality to the older ones from the 80's and early 90's.

As someone who sold a few thousand lighters in the last 5 years of my life, I can honestly say that I have only seen one Lambo lighter come back for repairs (replaced off the shelf, replaced by Colibri in a week), and I actually see very few of the newer Colibri lighters come back with any kind of severe problems. I would stand by Colibri right now as much as I would stand by Blazer or Xikar.




For those who care about the backstory, the original family owned company was bought out in the late 90's by some form of a private equity group. That group proceeded to push the company down the well known path of destruction that ended with over a hundred lines of crappy lighters, only a couple of which were worth a damn.

In late 2008, the equity firm petitioned the company into receivership after the company had nearly $25M in debt due to poor management and was actually unable to turn an operating profit, and in Feb 2009, they literally abandoned the company and closed the doors one night. Workers showed up the next day to find a note of the doors effectively telling them they were fired, the company was done, and to leave. It made quite a stink with workers demanding severance, etc etc.

In June of 2009, the company was purchased by the entrepreneurial firm Alliance Time, who proceeded to immediately gut the company top to bottom. Traveling representatives were hired and given territories, over 2/3 of the lighter models were immediately discontinued, the lifetime warranty service was re-instated to vendors (it had been previously halted to cut costs), and new lines of lighters were launched covering a wide range of prices. Today, new Colibri lighters have a 3-year complete customer warranty, a lifetime vendor shelf-replacement warranty (same off-the-shelf replacement system Xikar uses), and are manufactured using better quality parts.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

This thread made me go look through my lighter stash. I found 3 or 4 xikar cutters I didn't know I had and a brand new Blazer that has never had fuel in it. It was like Christmas. :D

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

Silound, Thank you. Great info. I am one of the many who would have continued to avoid (and bash) Colibri. If they can now put out a quality product and overcome their tarnished reputation, I'm pulling for them.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

I don't know if it has been mentioned yet but Vector has a bunch like that. They also have a lifetime warranty.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

http://www.vectorkgm.com/

Check out the Megatron.

Re: Random Question About Lighters
 

This is identical to the Evertech Spark which goes for $13 from buylighters.com. It is an EXTREMELY strong triple torch, a little too strong for me to accurately ligh or touchup without causing excess scorching. The Black Ops Kilo (or equivalent Jobon) has a much sharper point if you want a triple torch, and a 9mm punch instead of 7mm.