Sounds like you're looking for a refillable butane pocket torch. I've got one made by Blazer that I've had for a good ten years with no problems. It burns very hot and has a little switch that locks it open.
It also does wonders on frozen car door locks.
They are available in many sizes and price ranges. Check cigar websites for them.


Edit to add: http://blazerproducts.com/lighters/

Benjamin, they already have one. Look at Leigh's post. Highway flare. There are even small ones available in some places. But a full sized one really doesn't take up that much space. Mine is vacuum sealed in a foodsaver bag. I can light it with one hand, so I doubt you'd have any trouble.
Not as exciting as inventing a new gizmo, I agree. But they're pretty idiot proof and they can serve multiple purposes.

My ultimate light in anything option is the lifeboat match, (You know them in as the REI match). With a esbit or Wet-Fire cube that I have just crushed.
One thing I have found out about them that is interesting: They are normally sold in one of two containers. A conventional matchbox or a sealed tub. Don't go for the sealed tub. Unless they are for use at sea. The strikerboard on the tub is much smaller than the one on the conventional matchcase. That makes igniting the match much harder. The ones I have ignited on the normal striker board have lit the first time, every time. If you need to waterproof the matchcase, a small ziploc plastic bag of the type used for small electrical parts, say 4" x 4" or there abouts, works very nicely.
An esbit or W-F cube delivers quite a lot of heat on its own. Which is a significant consideration.
One other consumable that you should have is the single use chemical heat packs . They allow you to rewarm a hypothermia victim in situations where the classic put them in a sleeping bag with another person technique is impractical. (That's Brit-Speak for impossible). <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You could make a fire starter with a pull string, or similar, but these would be banned after arsonists start using them with a time device to start fires in buildings (time delay like a bag of sand with a hole in it, etc)

INCONCEIVABLE!!! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I do keep a small zip bag with cohlans tinder.. And yes, the pj + cotton would be mixed and used when conditions are ideal. Just wondering why people pre-mix it instead of carrying it like I do. Unless of course it is your only tinder...

I do find the road flare an outstanding idea.

I just picked up some of this Weber Firestarters (lighter cubes for charcoal grills).. It was 24 cubes for $2.99USD. It's a bit large, but I think I'll light one tomorrow and see what the runtime is like.

I carry the Tinder Quick stuff for emergency use, but yes, I pre-mix cottonballs and pj and have them for the specific use of tinder for non-emergency use also. Just became a habit for me. Handier than having to go shave cedar bark, buff out some grass/vine to make it suitable, buy fire starter sticks, use a fuel tab, or make my own char cloth, etc. etc, etc.

Personally, I would recommend that you premix the Vaseline & cotton balls. I like that method of fire starting. When the Vaseline is mixed well, it doesn't matter where the sparks hit the cotton, it will light. However, if you wait to mix the two, and it is 10F out when you need it, you might have a problem. Vaseline gets a little stiff when very cold. It will be difficult to work into the cotton so that it will burn effectively. When you most need it, your tinder pile from nature will not be at its best, possibly damp, so you will need the maximum burn time from that cotton to get your fire going. In addition, if your fingers are very cold and stiff, and you just got done trying to work Vaseline into a cotton ball, you will have a hard time trying to grip your fire starter with your cold, wet, and now greasy fingers. My recommendation is to pre-mix. Carry a Vaseline tube in addition if you want, or in a pinch, rub a coated cotton ball on your lips.