Tabletop Lighter?

90+ Irishman

Besides the neat-o factor, are there any "significant" reasons for having one? What would you suggest in a reasonable price range? Does high altitude like Colorado have any impact like it does on some butane torches?

howtobass

90+ Irishman:

Besides the neat-o factor, are there any "significant" reasons for having one? What would you suggest in a reasonable price range? Does high altitude like Colorado have any impact like it does on some butane torches?

From what i've read and have been learning, it's best to use a butane lighter/torch or wooden match, because if you use a regular lighter (BIC), it will affect the taste. I just purchased a lotus 26 lighter a couple of days ago, so i'll be able to let you know how that works. I paid $49.00 for mine. It also has an attached punch cutter. I figured in case I forget a cutter, I'd have a backup. If you find a lighter you like, search for it on google and go to the shopping results. This will give you an idea of how much you should pay for that model.

 

I guess a question for me would be, if you light a cigar with a regular lighter, does it affect the taste of the cigar just initially, or the entire cigar?

 

J.S.

As far as significant the only thing that I can think of is that you don't have to refill it as often. Prices vary but for a soft flame 100 and up I think I saw a torch for around 40 and up but that was a while ago. Regarding altitude butane is butane and high altitude and cold temps do effect it.

J.S.

CvilleE

howtobass:

90+ Irishman:

Besides the neat-o factor, are there any "significant" reasons for having one? What would you suggest in a reasonable price range? Does high altitude like Colorado have any impact like it does on some butane torches?

From what i've read and have been learning, it's best to use a butane lighter/torch or wooden match, because if you use a regular lighter (BIC), it will affect the taste. I just purchased a lotus 26 lighter a couple of days ago, so i'll be able to let you know how that works. I paid $49.00 for mine. It also has an attached punch cutter. I figured in case I forget a cutter, I'd have a backup. If you find a lighter you like, search for it on google and go to the shopping results. This will give you an idea of how much you should pay for that model.

 

I guess a question for me would be, if you light a cigar with a regular lighter, does it affect the taste of the cigar just initially, or the entire cigar?

 

I did not know this. All I have used is a BIC, gotta stop today....good tip for the noobs....

howtobass

CvilleE:

howtobass:

90+ Irishman:

Besides the neat-o factor, are there any "significant" reasons for having one? What would you suggest in a reasonable price range? Does high altitude like Colorado have any impact like it does on some butane torches?

From what i've read and have been learning, it's best to use a butane lighter/torch or wooden match, because if you use a regular lighter (BIC), it will affect the taste. I just purchased a lotus 26 lighter a couple of days ago, so i'll be able to let you know how that works. I paid $49.00 for mine. It also has an attached punch cutter. I figured in case I forget a cutter, I'd have a backup. If you find a lighter you like, search for it on google and go to the shopping results. This will give you an idea of how much you should pay for that model.

 

I guess a question for me would be, if you light a cigar with a regular lighter, does it affect the taste of the cigar just initially, or the entire cigar?

 

I did not know this. All I have used is a BIC, gotta stop today....good tip for the noobs....

Same here. I would have just used a BIC. I've also read not to let the flame touch it. Can an expert weigh in on this as to why?

kuzi16

a BIC is butane. a Zippo has fluid that has an odor. BICs are safe to use if you are ok with a soft flame.

DeadBoxJD

What do you mean by "soft flame" is there such a thing as a "hard flame"? Is one preferable over the other?

howtobass

kuzi16:

a BIC is butane. a Zippo has fluid that has an odor. BICs are safe to use if you are ok with a soft flame.

Good to know. Thanks.

BigT06

CvilleE

DeadBoxJD

90+ Irishman

CvilleE:

howtobass:

90+ Irishman:

Besides the neat-o factor, are there any "significant" reasons for having one? What would you suggest in a reasonable price range? Does high altitude like Colorado have any impact like it does on some butane torches?

From what i've read and have been learning, it's best to use a butane lighter/torch or wooden match, because if you use a regular lighter (BIC), it will affect the taste. I just purchased a lotus 26 lighter a couple of days ago, so i'll be able to let you know how that works. I paid $49.00 for mine. It also has an attached punch cutter. I figured in case I forget a cutter, I'd have a backup. If you find a lighter you like, search for it on google and go to the shopping results. This will give you an idea of how much you should pay for that model.

 

I guess a question for me would be, if you light a cigar with a regular lighter, does it affect the taste of the cigar just initially, or the entire cigar?

 

I did not know this. All I have used is a BIC, gotta stop today....good tip for the noobs....

I am certainly no expert myself, but I would say that you are certainly no noob, just still in the early stages of the learning curve Great info gentleman, I definitely appreciate the info. I have often heard that to get the true "taste" of the tobacco that you should always use a wooden match and yes let the sulfur burn off, or use a torch after warming the foot for about 10-15 seconds. In terms of why the BIC's and Zippo's effect the entire cigar taste I can speculate on the chemistry that goes on. I believe that due to the compounds of the lighter fluid and how it burns, when the hydrocarbons enter the cigar, they don't just stay at the foot where it is lit, it travels through the filler and binders of the cigar and leave small deposits throughout the entirety of it. I could be completely off my rocker but I remember a decent amount of chemistry from college at Colorado School of Mines. If I am off my rocker please jump in and correct me guys, I absolutely hate putting my foot in my mouth haha Thanks!!

JonathanE

90+ Irishman

Well went in to the local cigar shop today set on getting a lighter of some sort as a reward for the raise at work. Looked at a couple of table top lighters and through some torches and other lighters, but finally settled on the new Xikar Stratosphere. Really liked that it would light even at the top of most of the peaks here in Colorado (rated to 12,550 ft elevation) and really enjoyed the coil mechanism. Lighter in the hand than I would have imagined but the polymer grip gives you some confidence in using it and it lights EVERYTIME! Already used it to light up a stick tonight and just got done nubbing that one till it damn near burned the crap out of my finners haha

Lakota72

90+ Irishman:

Well went in to the local cigar shop today set on getting a lighter of some sort as a reward for the raise at work. Looked at a couple of table top lighters and through some torches and other lighters, but finally settled on the new Xikar Stratosphere. Really liked that it would light even at the top of most of the peaks here in Colorado (rated to 12,550 ft elevation) and really enjoyed the coil mechanism. Lighter in the hand than I would have imagined but the polymer grip gives you some confidence in using it and it lights EVERYTIME! Already used it to light up a stick tonight and just got done nubbing that one till it damn near burned the crap out of my finners haha

I may have missed this on another thread but congratulations on the promotion at work.

90+ Irishman

Much appreciated my friend, it's running smoothly right now and I'm content, so can't complain

Rhamlin

Ronson makes a good single flame torch lighter you can get at Walmart for around 5.00$ that's what I use and if it does start messing up,( and they all seem to eventually) who cares just get a new one.

90+ Irishman

Rhamlin:

Ronson makes a good single flame torch lighter you can get at Walmart for around 5.00$ that's what I use and if it does start messing up,( and they all seem to eventually) who cares just get a new one.

Totally agree in that regard, ended up getting the Xikar Stratosphere instead though... lights up to 12,500 ft (nearly the top of all mountains here in Colorado) and since the wife and I camp frequently this was important to me. Also, its got a coil light which is way cool to me, and a lifetime warranty... so for $30 I got a lighter for LIFE!

jj20030

have a perdomo thundra, read somewhere that when the jets start acting up blow it out with a can of pc dust cleaner with the lil straw attached, i tried this yesterday and the flames are great now, jus passing that along

90+ Irishman

Thanks man!!! I'm actually having an issue slightly with my Xikar so I'll try this!