I have never had any great problems using a Bic. In the sticks I carry several along with lifeboat matches and a sparking bar. Every day carry I chose a Mini-Bic and have never had an issue. I like the Mini because I don't smoke and seldom need a lighter but like to have one. A small lighter makes the burden acceptable.

The only potential problems with the Mini-Bic is that it is so small if my hands were frozen it might be a problem and it has less fuel. Of course living in Florida frozen hands aren't much of a issue and not smoking I just don't use enough fuel to justify the larger version.

When I do get out into the sticks the full sized Bic might make more sense.

I have seen people use all sorts of lighters with highly spotty results.

I used to carry a Zippo. Worked fine but when I overfilled it it ate the skin on my thigh where the fuel leaked out. A couple of times when I didn't fill it it ran out of fuel. Traditional and 'manly' the Zippo has a lot of cache but it is heavy, bulky and, IMHO, not as reliable as a Bic. If I was a smoker and felt the need to have my machismo reinforced the Zippo would be good around town.

I have seen several fairly expensive refillable butane lighters fail in various ways. Saw a $100 one where the refill valve leaked so that by the third day he was out of fuel even though it was only used a couple of times.

A common observation is that many of the 'windproof' models aren't. And the ones with all the seals aren't all really sealed. At least with a Bic I know if it is not sealed with tape or in a bag I need to get it out and dry it off if I end up in the drink. The ones that look like they are sealed can give you a false sense of security.