The ultimate torch search

[SmokingElvis]

I've been into cigars about a year now. I'm not your basic aficionado: I'm a 23-year-old university student who likes to smoke cigars the likes of Cohiba (Siglo II), Partagas (Serie D Nr. 4), Hoyo de Monterrey (Epicure Nr. 2) and Montocristo (Nr. 2). Currently I have Xikar Xi2 black cutter and Xikar Executive black torch but I want to upgrade my set a little bit. I recently decided on getting the Superman Returns -appearing Xikar Xi1 Titanium -cutter. Now I need a good lighter to make a set.

You here all those brands and you think: that guy must be able to afford at least a golden S.T. Dupont. Well actually as I am a student I don't have lots of money. I do get by but I don't have the luxury of always getting the most expensive things I can find. What you might also like now is that I'm a bit yuppish in a way that I appreciate the aesthetics of carry-it-everywhere products and I'm always looking for something cool.

Now we get to the question-part. I've read some of the threads concerning lighters. It seems that most people love their Colibris and some think S.T. Dupont Xtend is awesome. I myself have been satisfied using my Xikar torch but I have to admit that it doesn't yell out: I'm expensive and high-end. On the other hand, I think that if you do not have lots of money 200 dollars is just about the limit of decently priced and ridiculously priced lighter. I get the "Ford-Ferrari" metaphora but I just think that especially for the likes of me who take their lighter to nightclubs where you can lose it possibly there's no sense in byuing a ridiculously priced lighter.

So I have three choices (and I have to buy them online since I live in a place where you can't demo them):
1) Xikar Element
2) Porsche Design PD5/PD6
3) S.T. Dupont Xtend

Which one would you get if you were me? By the way, did I see correctly: did Lex Luthor have a PD5 in Superman Returns?

[caskwith]

Well if i were in your position i would get myself some humilty!

[Stogiefanatic182]

Im just going to throw this out there but if you want a cheap and I mean cheap butane lighter that you can take to clubs and what not and not get pissed if you lose it go to wal mart and pick up a ronson. Costs 3 bucks, looks and feels decent and is refillable.

[Jack1000]

If your worried about losing it get a box of wooden matches.

[txmatt]

Your cutter money would be better spent on a Palio than the Xikar. Might not look as cool but cuts a whole lot better.

The Dupont Xtend is an excellent performing and looking lighter. I once had two of them and lost one. I don't often use the other because I am afraid of losing it as well.. The Porsche PD6 is a decent lighter that looks great. It has a more substantial weighty feeling than Xtend but it just doesn't light cigars as well.

I haven't used a Xikar element lighter yet; though I believe they are OEMing them from solo. Solo makes good $20 lighters; but to pay twice that for a fancy shell doesn't make much sense to me.

My advice (as always) is to get a Palio and a Prince/Blazer-207. These two will perform as good as or better than any product on the market for under $75 total. If you believe a better looking (but poor performing) cutter/lighter "combo" is going to get you laid; drop $150+ on flashy smoking accessories you will likely lose.

-Matt-

[croatan]

I agree with Matt. The Palio and Prince/Blazer combination is certainly my favorite. If you're really worried about the aesthetics of the PB-207, then I'd recommend the Xtend in its place.

[tazziedevil]

for a 23 year old university student you sure have expensive tastes!

I've always had better luck with cheap "disposable" torch lighters than with expensive ones. Had a cheapie for over 4 years. Longest "good" one fell apart after almost a year.

Take that as you like...

[TechMetalMan]

Ronson

[rumballs]

Originally Posted by caskwith

Well if i were in your position i would get myself some humilty!

[n2advnture]

S.T. Dupont Xtend is top notch
The Blazer PB-207s are a work horse!

Can't go wrong with either, IMHO

~Mark

[EPICSMOKEHERE]

I got a sweet Colibri on ebay with 2 bullet cutters for $5 bucks! I lost it within 24 hours. I now rely on my handy marijuana leaf gas station torch lighter that lights up when i light it!!!! I splurged on this bad boy but it is lights everytime i put the cheapest fluid i can find in it. Talk about a converstaion peace huh? I'll sell it to you for 50 bucks.

Seriously though bro! Dont lose that nice stuff or you'll be bummed! Where do you go to school? And welcome to CS!

I really do use that lighter.

[autoguy]

of the 3 torches you have listed i would suggest the st dupont x tend i have had one for about 2 years and have not had a bit of trouble out of it

my x-tend sits in the cabinet now though because i upgraded to a davidoff prestige regular flame lighter, if you want the ultimate yuppie/flashy lighter get either the davidoff prestige like mine or get a st dupont ligne 2, but you have to pay the price for the best$400 + i look at mine as an investment oh and i am 22

you might consider the dunhill torch lighter too but it is $450

i have handled some of the porsch lighters and dont think you could go wrong with one of them either but i have not owned

if you are afraid you will loose an expensive lighter than look at as $150 that sits in your pocket, check to make sure it is there everyonce in a while and always check to see if it is there before you leave a place, and yes i carry my davidoff in my pocket with a leather case

and welcome

[SmokingElvis]

Ha, I sort of expected some remarks about my description of my needs. I just wanted to make the point clear that I'm looking for a stylish quality torch with good price/performance ratio. I know a cheap torch (20 dollars) would be usable but I really do want a better quality lighter. Fortunately, as may be the case in other forums I don't have to go into justifying why I want a somewhat pricey lighter (believe me, when you are trying to find a digital camera and make the mistake of saying that you want a high-end model you really do get a bashin').

So Xikar doesn't make the lighter mechanism? Okey, well that settles it then. No Xikar lighter for me. However, I do plan on getting the Xikar cutter. I do know that Palio cutters are absolutely great and held in high regard by aficianados but then again Xi1 Titanium is for many the best cutter there is.

So it's either Porsche Design or S.T. Dupont Xtend. Hmmm... I get the feeling people feel more strongly about the Xtend. I do think Porsche Design certainly wins the coolness competition but is Xtend works better than maybe I should get that one.

About clubbing. I have personally never lost anything (well an expensive watch but that's another story) in a nightclub. My point really was that as I'm a young man in an age when I still may do sommersaults and what not I do not want a platinum lighter which may get damaged and in the worst case get lost. The price of Xtend is certainly somewhat steep but still acceptable.

If there are any Porsche Design users (previous or current) here I'd like your opinions on how good they are. PD5 looks cool to me but I'm not sure how ergonomic it is. It also looks like it'd be easy to break. I'm not sure how PD6 works.

EDIT: As I said I get the whole investment point but at least for me paying over 200 dollars for a cigar lighter is just mad. I'm not sure if I bought one if I had a high-paying job. By the way, you have to remember that if you don't use a lot of money at one direction you can use more at another. Also, I only smoke 3-5 cigars a month max so I can afford to stick with those high quality Cubans.

[autoguy]

if you can afford to buy an xtend or porsche than why not, you dont have to justify it

you only live once you might as well enjoy it while you can

i would recomend the x-tend though

check yer pm, i will send you a link to the porsche lighters that are fer sale

[txmatt]

Originally Posted by SmokingElvis

So Xikar doesn't make the lighter mechanism? Okey, well that settles it then. No Xikar lighter for me. However, I do plan on getting the Xikar cutter. I do know that Palio cutters are absolutely great and held in high regard by aficianados but then again Xi1 Titanium is for many the best cutter there is.

Elvis I had Xikar Xi, Xi2, and Xi3 cutters before getting my Palio, I sold and gave away 4 Xikars once I tried the Palio. Anyone who has used both the Xikar and the Palio knows the Palio gives you a better cut due to design. Xikars allow for blade deflection that can cause a step where the blades meet; the Palio's rail design prevents this. If there are many who believe the Xi3 is the best cutter, they haven't used a Palio. Hell the $3 ugly cheap plastic Havana cigar cutter does a better job cutting than Xikar Xi series.

There is no question the Xikar looks better, so if you are willing to sacrifice the tool's intended purpose *cutting cigars* for its appearance that is fine. You just aren't going to convince anyone who has owned both cutters that Xikar is the superior cutter.. They look cool as hell and give a decent cut.

The Xi3 Titanium is their top of the line BTW, Xi has a cutter in "Titanium" color on the handles, but I think what you are talking about is the Xi3 with the Titanium Nitride coating on the blades. The cocobolo wood handles are particularly good looking but will add around $10 to the price.

You won't regret the X-Tend purchase as long as you don't lose it. You might also look at Lotus lighters; they are weighty and attractive like the PDs but perform a little better. The X-Tend lighters perform as well as the PB-207, but look a whole lot better.

-Matt-