Lighting preferences-

[Vagrant]

So, I had this cheapo bic-like lighter. Any cigar I've lit with it is horrid, at least the first third through. Now, I stick to matches, because I don't know if a torch lighter is really worth it.

Is there any real difference? Because, generally, I can always get matches free. The local shop loves giving them to me.


And, if it makes a difference due to cigar- I usually smoke the Oliva O serie, and rotate a G and V around in my smokes. So.. it's 50 guage.

Anyone have any opinions on that?

[mistabman]

The key is to use butane fuel in whatever lighter you are using. It can be a soft flame (bic) or a torch, and the taste should not change noticably. Matches are nice, and they have that "old school" feeling to them. You want to stay away from zippos and lighters that use lighter fuel instead of butane. Really, it's all about personal preference. I just happen to think it's super neat to bust out a torch and start toasting the foot of a cigar. Turn it up high enough and you can almost "paint" the cherry on the end of a cigar. Way cool.

[Kreth]

Look around for a Ronson Jet-Lite. It's cheap and seems to be a pretty popular model.

[Vagrant]

Cool, cool. Thanks guys.

[Cigary]

Originally Posted by mistabman

The key is to use butane fuel in whatever lighter you are using. It can be a soft flame (bic) or a torch, and the taste should not change noticably. Matches are nice, and they have that "old school" feeling to them. You want to stay away from zippos and lighters that use lighter fuel instead of butane. Really, it's all about personal preference. I just happen to think it's super neat to bust out a torch and start toasting the foot of a cigar. Turn it up high enough and you can almost "paint" the cherry on the end of a cigar. Way cool.

Start to learn different aspects of lighting your cigars. If you have time and are at a B&M use cedar strips to light your cigars as I prefer this when I am at mine. Otherwise, I use a Ronson jet lite.

Originally Posted by Kreth

Look around for a Ronson Jet-Lite. It's cheap and seems to be a pretty popular model.

I bought my first one about a year ago and love it,,,dependable and never quits. Always fires on the first click so when I went and saw them again at Walmart I bought every one of them so I have 10 and should never worry about buying another lighter. I still have my expensive lighters as well but only use them when I go out to herfs or nice places.

[tx_tuff]

I have more then a few torch lighters and they work great and are easy to use. Now I have a Xikar soft flame and I love using it to light my cigars. Of course it is easier to use it in doors. Whatever you use try and toast the foot to get a nice even burn.

[friz]

Ronson jet-lite. Get it a W-mart it is a great $3 investment

[Vagrant]

Right-o. Lookin for a Ronson Jet-Lite as we speak.

Thanks again guys.

[zackly]

In the colder months I smoke mostly in my car. I leave a couple of lighters in the center console, a Ronson Jet & Colibri. Neither work in the cold so I now have a box of large wooden matches in there to.
I light my smokes with 3 of them, their heads nestled together. I let them burn briefly until all the chemical moisture on the matchstick disappears. They work great, strong enough flame to light or re-light a cigar quickly.
Do they still make those "strike on any surface" stick matches? I haven't seen them around for a long time. They were cool!

[Vagrant]

Yeppers, they do! The woman bought me 200 quantity box of them yesterday!

[totallytentative]

Oddly enough I find I am using all three options.

Matches for small RG cigars (mainly because I have a ton of matches and need to use them up).
A torch for initial light and toasting.
A Zippo for relights or touchups because it's the only thing other than fussy matches that will work in the cold! I can't say I've noticed much odor using Zippo low odor fluid. I do find it annoying though, how quickly the fluid evaporates away.

[d_day]

Originally Posted by zackly

Do they still make those "strike on any surface" stick matches? I haven't seen them around for a long time. They were cool!

They are still made by Diamond. I can't get them here, because the People's Republic of California has outlawed strike anywhere matches. You may have a similar situation in your state, but I doubt it.

[sonic_mike]

I use a one hundred dollar bill.

[Vagrant]

Originally Posted by sonic_mike

I use a one hundred dollar bill.

Nice.


I *will* do that once before I die, let's aim for my fiftieth birthday.



How's about I send you the 200 quantity box of matches, and you send me 100 of those 100 dollar bills, eh?

*grin*

[Cigar Man Andy]

With the Higher end cigars, Opus or PAM, I prefer matches for the experience, but I use either cigar matches or a cedar strip. Most of the time I use a torch. Now I have had several different lighters over the years. I recommended the Xtend by DuPont. Pricey, but I have two. One is seven and the other is five years old. They both still light every time. I found out the secret. What kills most butane lighters is lousy gas. Use good refined fuel and you won't burn out the screen and any butane lighter will last. Torches work well in the wind and won't give you a kerosene taste.