S.T. Dupont "replicas"

Silound · 05-10-2012, 11:36 AM

Let me preface this by pointing out that I have a real one, I love it. I refuse to take it anywhere for dread fear of losing it or having it stolen (I lose lighters like a squirrel loses nuts). My brother left his (identical matching; we bought them together as a celebration) at a bar, and would have lost it forever had an honest person not grabbed it and ran out to catch him in the parking lot.

I'd like to obtain a couple replicas (read: knockoffs) that are of decent quality that I can carry around with me without the fear of losing or damaging them. I'd also be giving one or two to my brother for the same reason.

Can anyone recommend a source they know is of reasonable quality?

mosesbotbol · 05-10-2012, 12:24 PM

Whatever looks to be too good to be real on Ebay.

shopkins82 · 05-10-2012, 02:42 PM

If you're not looking for an extremely close replica, do a quick search for "TNIG Lighter" (misspelled as you see it) you'll find several from China ranging from $7 to $18. I have one of the $7 models with the "D" logo and I'm pretty happy with it. It's my only soft-flame lighter.

The "screw covers" on the bottom are cosmetic only while the butane refill valve and adjustment are standard and exposed. The "Ting" sound is made by a small tuning-fork style sheet of metal in the flip-up lid and, while not 100% accurate, is at least pleasing a decent attempt.

The lighter itself seems fairly reliable, rarely taking more than one roll to light. The flame height can be adjusted much higher than you would ever need for daily use. The tank hold a moderate amount of fuel, but with an average height flame it will last many cigars before needing to be refilled. Wind-resistance is the major drawback and nearly non-existent.

I've read of these, over time, developing an inconsistent flame height. So far, after a month of use, I've not seen this. They also apparently use standard Zippo-size flints. I've run mine on both plain Ronson and FasFil 5x Refined butane and can't tell much difference.

If you're at all interested in having both a torch and soft-flame in a Dupont-style package, check out the Ever Torch, but you're looking at $50-$70 depending on which style/finish you chose.

awsmith4 · 05-10-2012, 02:54 PM

Which model?

mosesbotbol · 05-10-2012, 02:57 PM

Atol lighters are really nice on their own and not too expensive

Silound · 05-10-2012, 05:44 PM

Shopkins, thanks for the heads up, looking into that now.

I was looking at this earlier:
http://www.newluxurybelt.com/items/r...ont-24054.html

My brother and I both have the gold trimmed black lacquer model like that one. (Dupont #16884)

A friend has one of the other models from this site, he swears up and down that it's a damn near perfect replica, but I won't get a chance to look at it for a week or two yet, so I was looking around.

awsmith4 · 05-10-2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silound

Shopkins, thanks for the heads up, looking into that now.

I was looking at this earlier:
http://www.newluxurybelt.com/items/r...ont-24054.html

My brother and I both have the gold trimmed black lacquer model like that one. (Dupont #16884)

A friend has one of the other models from this site, he swears up and down that it's a damn near perfect replica, but I won't get a chance to look at it for a week or two yet, so I was looking around.

If that's the case check out Pete's site (Replicant Argent)

http://www.stogietorch.com/welcome.html

I have used these and they are great lighters

05-15-2012, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silound

Shopkins, thanks for the heads up, looking into that now.

I was looking at this earlier:
http://www.newluxurybelt.com/items/r...ont-24054.html

My brother and I both have the gold trimmed black lacquer model like that one. (Dupont #16884)

A friend has one of the other models from this site, he swears up and down that it's a damn near perfect replica, but I won't get a chance to look at it for a week or two yet, so I was looking around.

You can get Dupont replicas cheaper from ioffer.com Just do a search on the site for "dupont lighters" They are really good replicas.

mosesbotbol · 05-15-2012, 10:38 AM

Do the replicas have threaded butane fittings or is it just a regular non ST Dupont fitting?

05-15-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Do the replicas have threaded butane fittings or is it just a regular non ST Dupont fitting?

They are threaded like the real deal.

pnoon · 05-15-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesj

They are threaded like the real deal.

Are you here as an agent for the website or are you a cigar smoker interested in our community? If it is the latter, please post an intro in the New Inmate forum and tell us a bit about yourself.

Welcome.
Posted via Mobile Device

05-15-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

Are you here as an agent for the website or are you a cigar smoker interested in our community? If it is the latter, please post an intro in the New Inmate forum and tell us a bit about yourself.

Welcome.
Posted via Mobile Device

I do not represent ioffer.com, just a regular cigar smoker trying to help out a fellow aficionado with a question. I just registered and had not gotten around to posting an intro in the New Inmate forum.

pnoon · 05-15-2012, 02:25 PM

Fair enough.
When the first post from a new member is a link to a business, it attracts our attention.
Posted via Mobile Device

shopkins82 · 05-17-2012, 10:12 AM

What you see on NewLuxuryBelt and iOffer is what I would consider a replica or counterfeit... i.e. nearly identical including copyrighted names/logos. Most of those I was referring to on eBay (in the $7-$20 range) are more what I would consider "St. Dupont Style", i.e. same general dimensions, similar roll mechanism, but not so identical (i.e. standard butane valve) as to be considered a counterfeit and also (in most cases) not using the copyrighted St. Dupont logo. It's a fine grey line, but it's one you may want to consider depending on exactly what you're looking for and how you feel about IP.

Silound · 05-18-2012, 08:45 AM

I did in fact order one from iOffer last week. Waiting for it to arrive from China (so you know it's a phony with a capital "P").

I went into pure panic mode a couple days ago. I went looking for my real one and couldn't find it to save my life. I finally remembered it's stowed away in my safe deposit box with some other valuables from the last time I moved. Took more than one glass of good bourbon to make me feel better

OLS · 05-18-2012, 10:48 AM

While we are shilling our various preferred websites, I would like to add one that I often shill for, and obviously
I have no connection to them. But JR is having another of their specials where you can get one of the S.T.-esque
lighters in Macanudo-livery by buying any box of Macanudos. I do not buy many Macs, but felt like giving Portofinos
another go, so I picked up another of these. I have several of the LGC ones from other deals. You might be
able to kill two birds with this deal.

http://www.jrcigars.com/jr/index.cfm...ter-FREE-.html

S.T. it AIN'T, but it is a nice, heavy flint lighter with a tinggk at opening rather than a tingggg

Were I SMART, I would have selected one of the 50-60 dollar a box cigars instead of $120, but I wasn't thinking.

Partially Deaf · 05-19-2012, 02:45 PM

Wow I didn't even know what an S.T. Dupont was before this thread. Those are some seriously blinged out lighters.

shopkins82 · 05-20-2012, 09:23 PM

The Macanudo and LGC lighters look very similar to the $7 eBay knock-offs I now have two of, except likely with another round or two of QC.

bonjing · 05-30-2012, 11:06 PM

Anychance for a review when you lighter arrives?

Silound · 05-31-2012, 11:11 PM

I'll post some pictures as soon as it arrives. I went cheap on the shipping, basic postal service from China will probably take around 4 weeks to arrive, so I should hopefully see it sometime in the next week or so.

05-10-2012, 12:24 PM	#2
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Whatever looks to be too good to be real on Ebay. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

05-10-2012, 02:42 PM	#3
shopkins82 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 222 Trading: (1)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" If you're not looking for an extremely close replica, do a quick search for "TNIG Lighter" (misspelled as you see it) you'll find several from China ranging from $7 to $18. I have one of the $7 models with the "D" logo and I'm pretty happy with it. It's my only soft-flame lighter. The "screw covers" on the bottom are cosmetic only while the butane refill valve and adjustment are standard and exposed. The "Ting" sound is made by a small tuning-fork style sheet of metal in the flip-up lid and, while not 100% accurate, is at least pleasing a decent attempt. The lighter itself seems fairly reliable, rarely taking more than one roll to light. The flame height can be adjusted much higher than you would ever need for daily use. The tank hold a moderate amount of fuel, but with an average height flame it will last many cigars before needing to be refilled. Wind-resistance is the major drawback and nearly non-existent. I've read of these, over time, developing an inconsistent flame height. So far, after a month of use, I've not seen this. They also apparently use standard Zippo-size flints. I've run mine on both plain Ronson and FasFil 5x Refined butane and can't tell much difference. If you're at all interested in having both a torch and soft-flame in a Dupont-style package, check out the Ever Torch, but you're looking at $50-$70 depending on which style/finish you chose.

05-10-2012, 02:54 PM	#4
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Which model? __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

05-10-2012, 02:57 PM	#5
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Atol lighters are really nice on their own and not too expensive __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

05-10-2012, 05:44 PM	#6
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Shopkins, thanks for the heads up, looking into that now. I was looking at this earlier: http://www.newluxurybelt.com/items/r...ont-24054.html My brother and I both have the gold trimmed black lacquer model like that one. (Dupont #16884) A friend has one of the other models from this site, he swears up and down that it's a damn near perfect replica, but I won't get a chance to look at it for a week or two yet, so I was looking around. __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!

05-10-2012, 11:36 AM	#1
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	S.T. Dupont "replicas" Let me preface this by pointing out that I have a real one, I love it. I refuse to take it anywhere for dread fear of losing it or having it stolen (I lose lighters like a squirrel loses nuts). My brother left his (identical matching; we bought them together as a celebration) at a bar, and would have lost it forever had an honest person not grabbed it and ran out to catch him in the parking lot. I'd like to obtain a couple replicas (read: knockoffs) that are of decent quality that I can carry around with me without the fear of losing or damaging them. I'd also be giving one or two to my brother for the same reason. Can anyone recommend a source they know is of reasonable quality? __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!

05-15-2012, 10:38 AM	#9
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Do the replicas have threaded butane fittings or is it just a regular non ST Dupont fitting? __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

05-15-2012, 02:25 PM	#13
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Fair enough. When the first post from a new member is a link to a business, it attracts our attention. Posted via Mobile Device

05-17-2012, 10:12 AM	#14
shopkins82 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 222 Trading: (1)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" What you see on NewLuxuryBelt and iOffer is what I would consider a replica or counterfeit... i.e. nearly identical including copyrighted names/logos. Most of those I was referring to on eBay (in the $7-$20 range) are more what I would consider "St. Dupont Style", i.e. same general dimensions, similar roll mechanism, but not so identical (i.e. standard butane valve) as to be considered a counterfeit and also (in most cases) not using the copyrighted St. Dupont logo. It's a fine grey line, but it's one you may want to consider depending on exactly what you're looking for and how you feel about IP.

05-18-2012, 08:45 AM	#15
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" I did in fact order one from iOffer last week. Waiting for it to arrive from China (so you know it's a phony with a capital "P"). I went into pure panic mode a couple days ago. I went looking for my real one and couldn't find it to save my life. I finally remembered it's stowed away in my safe deposit box with some other valuables from the last time I moved. Took more than one glass of good bourbon to make me feel better __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!

05-18-2012, 10:48 AM	#16
OLS Suck It Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Brad Location: TN Posts: 7,912 Trading: (19)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" While we are shilling our various preferred websites, I would like to add one that I often shill for, and obviously I have no connection to them. But JR is having another of their specials where you can get one of the S.T.-esque lighters in Macanudo-livery by buying any box of Macanudos. I do not buy many Macs, but felt like giving Portofinos another go, so I picked up another of these. I have several of the LGC ones from other deals. You might be able to kill two birds with this deal. http://www.jrcigars.com/jr/index.cfm...ter-FREE-.html S.T. it AIN'T, but it is a nice, heavy flint lighter with a tinggk at opening rather than a tingggg Were I SMART, I would have selected one of the 50-60 dollar a box cigars instead of $120, but I wasn't thinking.

05-19-2012, 02:45 PM	#17
Partially Deaf Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Dan Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 62 Trading: (0)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Wow I didn't even know what an S.T. Dupont was before this thread. Those are some seriously blinged out lighters.

05-20-2012, 09:23 PM	#18
shopkins82 Still Watching My Back Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 222 Trading: (1)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" The Macanudo and LGC lighters look very similar to the $7 eBay knock-offs I now have two of, except likely with another round or two of QC.

05-30-2012, 11:06 PM	#19
bonjing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,012 Trading: (39)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" Anychance for a review when you lighter arrives?

05-31-2012, 11:11 PM	#20
Silound ex-CS Swamp Gorilla Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Somewhere in a swamp, south of sanity Posts: 802 Trading: (15)	Re: S.T. Dupont "replicas" I'll post some pictures as soon as it arrives. I went cheap on the shipping, basic postal service from China will probably take around 4 weeks to arrive, so I should hopefully see it sometime in the next week or so. __________________ Back in black, and better than ever! You can't keep a good gorilla down! LSU Geaux Tigers!