The other day I was outdoors for about 6 hours and the temps were in the teens. I went to use a generic lighter (I'm not a smoker or am I used to using a lighter), but with all the "safety" features, I found it very hard to use with cold hands.

Can you reocmmend some lighters without "safety" features that work well?

thanks

The Bic disposable lighters still seem the best & easiest to use. Child proofing merely means that it is difficult for adults. The older the adult, the more difficult it becomes to operate.

I normally just remove the childproof feature by using pliers to pull out the lock.

So far, my favorite lighter for use while camping is the Solo Candle Lighter:

http://www.getlit.com/nhtml/candle.shtml

I find regular lighters a pain to use while lighting fires since the firestarting material is usually tucked under small sticks. The Solo Candle Lighter is just like a regular lighter but the tip extends out to give it some extra length. It can be lit either extended or retracted.

BTW, it doesn't use a flint to spark - it is peizo-electric.

I got it at http://www.basegear.com

If you're looking for something tiny to tuck into a kit, then the min-Bic's are great!

Ducttape might want to go find a smoker and ask him to remove it for him. We are pretty good at doing that within the first 10 seconds of purchase

I use Bics and a Zippo.

Danger, Will Robinson.
Peizo ignitions systems do NOT work if they are wet. This lighter may be handy, but it will be useless in the rain. If you carry this, make sure that you have a reliable backup.

This is why the high-end ourdoor piezo lighters (like the Brunton Helios) have massive amounts of latches and gaskets -- to keep the innards dry.

I EDC a Brunton Helios lighter, but when I fly to an other location, I pack a Zippo in a Otter Zippo CargoCase so that it can be placed in check baggage so that I have a lighter available after the flight. Don’t smoke, but like the ability to make fire.

Good point.

I've tested it by dunking it in water and running water over it. Yeah, it won't work if wet, but if I shake the water out of it, wipe it a bit on amy shirt, and then let it dry for a few minutes (5-10 depending on humidity) it works just fine.

I don't worry about the cold weather too much. It is easy enough to put it in an "inside pocket" for a while to warm up a bit before use.

I stow the lighter along with other firestarting gear inside a ziplok bag so it won't get too wet, plus I always carry a Magfire and matches in a matchcase too. Fire is just too important to count on just one method of starting. For that matter I EDC a BSA Hot Spark in my pocket too.

The mini Bics are still user friendly (no child proofing).

I have a couple bics in my kits. A wind and weaterproof lighter by coleman, and a zippo(im not a smoker btw <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. my zippo doesnt work because i need the fluid and the rope thingy is messed up. finding the fluid is a pain, so i might just buy another zippo and trade the innards.

btw these forums have been packed lately.lol. every second theres a new post and thread.haha.i guess thats a good thing.

Like someone mentioned above, Zippo and Bics are still my favorites. The Zippo for its simplicity, wide range of fuels, and simply how cool they are. The Bic I like for its reliability, low price, and they can be stored for a long time. I also find that they are more durable then the average cheapy lighter.

I've got a lot of other lighters, both expensive and inexpensive and I always go back to those two.

(That's not to say I don't carry backups as well as other methods [ferro-rod])

I don't smoke, but I've carried a cigarette lighter since I was about 15 years old. Once, while getting "investigated " for hitchhiking, I got a ration of stuff from a deputy sheriff as only a dope fiend would have a lighter & no cigarettes.

I'm not any expert on this topic, but it should be mentioned that if you are traveling by US air carrier, that you may only have one choice: Zippo. Lighters have been banned from carry-on and checked luggage in the US for sometime. This apparently hit Zippo pretty hard. They pushed some political buttons and got this rule change which allows you to carry a Zippo lighter (not butane) if you put it in your checked luggage in a specailly designed Otter Box . The box even has a legend on the back saying it complies with DOT specifications.

So, if you don't want the hassle of picking up a cheap BIC on the way to your adventure, or you are tired of throwing-away a perfectly good disposable before you get to the airport, this might be your solution.

Craig.

Hi guys,

Does the otter box also keep the Zippo fuel from evaporating so quickly? Thanks!

I cannot say specifically, but the Otterbox is airtight and watertight. Part of DOT lighter case specifications include the ability to withstand a certain amount pressure difference due to altitude change.

Basically, (I believe) the box is supposed to hold sea level pressure even at high altitude so that the high altitude pressure (or lack thereof) doesn't suck your lighter fuel out of the lighter.

Also, the statement "As the only storage container complying with the DOT regulations…" on the Otterbox site is incorrect. Collibri also released a lighter case that meets DOT specifications.

Something for everyone???
http://www.magic25filter.com/z_plus_zippo_lighter_case_replacement_torch_flame.htmle

I'm not going to re-hash my old thread comments about lighters, but I really can recommend this insert for Zippo lighters. Personal experience in all weather, and with the insert soaked and blown dry. Experience from 5+ of my outdoorsman-friends in similar. Experience from one hunting buddy who also runs a pipe shop and sells/repairs a wide range of lighters.
---we all stow a few bic lighters for backup. But this insert is our first go-to lighter. Has not failed under any circumstance in which any other lighter worked.

Retail cost is around $12-$13. LARGE fuel tank holds and retains a lot of fuel..even when stored. We never use Ronson fuel, but any other butane worked well. Fits in the larger, not smaller, Zippo case.

Revised link: http://www.magic25filter.com/z_plus_zippo_lighter_case_replacement_torch_flame.html

I'm wondering why you don't use Ronson fuel? I have used it for a long time and have been pleased with it.

Thanks for correcting the link.

Re: Ronson.
I don't want to bring the wrath of Ronson's legal department down on me. If you've had no problems, fine. I'll just repeat what I've been told and personally experienced: use a higher purity butane.. filtered.. like Colibri, King, Dunhill, etc.

I've been a smoker for way too many years now (please, no comments I already get enough from my daughters) and over the years I've bought or been given lots of different kinds of lighters.
I carry a Zippo every day. In my packpack, BOB and campkitchen bag I carry spare "Bic" type lighters and waterproof matches. If I could find some I'd also have the old fashioned strike anywhere matches.
As for re-fillable butane lighters I've been given a couple of really good ones and for some reason I've never had any luck with them. Seems like they always wind up leaking and I am constantly re-filling them.
For someone that isn't a smoker and wants to just have a lighter in their pocket for emergencies I'd go with the Bic types. Cheap, lighweight and unless they are completely soaked thy work. Downside is that in high wind they are difficult to keep lit.

To a point. I took my Zippo on a flight during Columbus Day weekend (filled it up before leaving) and then took it out for the flight during Thanksgiving. Before filling it up it did light, but I filled it up just to be safe. During the time between, is was in my closet in the Otter box as I EDC a Brunton Helios.

That may be, but only the Zippo Otterbox is mentioned in the TSA rule exemption I listed above. It applies only to Zippo lighters. The way I read it, butane's are still banned. The Colibri box may be DOT approved, but there is not a specific TSA exemption, so I would not risk it. Especially with an expensive Colibri.

At some point, the other lighter companies will wise up on Zippo's special treatment and probably obtain their own exemption. But I really think the issue at this point is liquid fuel vs. butane.

Craig.

That's been my only criticism with my Zippos. I can't seem to get more than a week out of a fluid fill up here in Florida - and that's with no or very light usage. Its obvously evaporating. Has anyone had better luck?

Craig.

That is why I EDC a Brunton Helios. I only carry my Zippo after I fly some where.