Interesting find for firestarter, maybe...

Was over at the Walgreens here a few days back, meandering through the smoking section, where they keep pipe and cigar supplies, along with a good collection of lighters; disposable and refillable butane as well as zippo. Decided to try a refillable butane one made specifically for pipe smokers (being that I am one). It cost around $3.50, and is fairly substantial, being made from cast metal instead of plastic, with a piezo lighter and a venturi nozzle. Let me tell you, that little lighter puts out a heckuva good blue flame. I had to blow full bore on the nozzle to blow the flame out, and I have no doubt it is sufficient output to completely melt a 45 caliber lead slug. You can't do that with any bic lighter!

The thing that I liked most about this little lighter, though, is that the nozzle is set up such that it kicks the flame out at an angle isntead of straight up like most standard butane lighters. The advantage to this is ergonomics, particularly when pointing the muzzle down the bowl of my pipe to light the tobacco. I realized that the ease with which this lighter can be manipulated thus would also serve quite well in lighting a fire, as it is much more suited to casting the flame down and into the base of the tinder pile, and to a sufficient depth to penetrate to the vital center area. How many times I have scorched fingers trying to hold a lighter upside down, waiting for the flame to lick the sides of the lighter enough to ignite the fuel chamber and KaBoom!!!. Not so with this little gem.

Just thought I would let y'all know, them pipe lighters are a pretty good gear option for the price imho.

Brand?

Forgot to make a note of that one. I'll have to go look again on the way home and let you know. Funny I didn't make a mental note of that since I bought one.

Ummmm... can't you just look at the one you bought? Or are you justifying another trip to pick up a few extras? (I've never done that... never, never, never... well, hardly ever... well, hardly ever in the same week... or day...)

Sue

Nope, I looked the one I got over and over and it has no markings on it as to brand whatsoever...

so I went back to Walgreens and found another one and it took me a couple minutes even then to find the brand on the package. Turns out it is from "NY Elite Brands", some funky importer in Melville NY. Here's there website:

http://www.nyelitebrands.com/

Now I went there and they haven't quite got the site up and running so to speak. Oh well, not too surprised about that one, probably a Chinese made import.

Anyways, in describing the lighter a little better, it actually reminds me of the shape of a saxophone, with the nozzle at the end that looks like the mouthpiece, and the igniter pushbutton atop the bell end. It is heavy cast construction, and it throws a decent venturi blue torch flame out the nozzle. Hey, for less than $4.00 I think it is a pretty good deal.

BTW, it comes in gold or silver tint.

And yes, I picked up some Werther's caramel chews and some Jolly Ranchers and some swirly gummi bears. Yes, I guess I needed another reason to go back. Can't find them swirly gummi bears anywhere else.