Looking for a high-tech lighter

Discussion in 'Functional Gear & Equipment' started by Bandit99, Mar 2, 2016.


  1. Bishop

    Bishop Monkey+++

    Permanent match
     
  2. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Amazon has the S.T. Dupont for about $200 but it doesn't have such great reviews... I will keep searching but appears there certainly is a need for such an item...
     
  3. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    There may be a need but I cannot justify spending $200 on a lighter. No matter what, it is basically a fire starter. $200 is a huge amount. There is a commercial...... so easy even a caveman can do it. No caveman would need a $200 lighter.
     
    Tikka and Caveman Jim like this.
  4. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Yeah, I cannot justify $200 for it either but there has to be something that isn't so cost prohibited and is reliable. I will keep looking...
     
  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Worse than price is the fuel stock required for post event. Look into almost anything else for long haul, and disposable lighters for the short. Luvs me butane lighter, but not enough to count on it, fuel and flints are its downfall.
     
    oldawg likes this.
  6. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Basically, @ghrit I am looking for something that I an carry with me all the time, something that's reliable and easy to get a fire going, waterproof and durable. It's for an simple emergency and not truly something for a 'post event.' For a SHTF post event, I got lots, magnesium and striker and a handful of Bics and blah, blah, blah... But, this would be something that I could put on my keychain along with my LED project light and it would reside in my pocket with pocket knife. But, I do not see anything worth buying...and certainly not going to pay $200 for something as simple as a fire starter.

    Maybe I should just get a Zippo and make my own gasket for it...as those things always use to leak on me. What I want is a butane torch lighter that is durable...
     
  7. Caveman Jim

    Caveman Jim Goin for the Glory

    You got that right motomom!!!!

    I'll just stick to my Zippo, Bic and stick matches. IMHO, technology sucks when it leaves the research facility...
     
    Cruisin Sloth and Motomom34 like this.
  8. Idahoser

    Idahoser Monkey+++ Founding Member

    I don't see where that's not what you're looking for. Have you practiced with the magnesium starter? HINT: they do it wrong every time on Survivor
     
    Tikka likes this.
  9. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Well, I truly thought that since there is a real need for a waterproof, non-leaking lighter that burn hot enough to start even wet kindling that someone somewhere would and could produce a quality product that was reasonably priced. But, I was wrong...there isn't anything worth buying or it's so expensive one can't justify the cost.

    I want something that I can either carry in my pocket or on my key ring. I have the magnesium + Striker and etc. in a small ruck in the truck but it is not something I want to carry in my pocket. So, I will probably end up purchasing a Zippo and modify it myself. Maybe I should cut off a small piece of mag, drill hole in it for keychain and just carry a Bic lighter...
     
  10. Idahoser

    Idahoser Monkey+++ Founding Member

    again, you are defining the magnesium block. Really! You scrape off some magnesium flakes with your knife into a pile about the diameter of a quarter. Place this pile in/near your kindling. Then you strike the flint side with your knife to send sparks into the flakes. This is not a destructive "hit" which would damage the flint, you're just scraping it just like starting a match. One or two times like that, depending how fine you got your magnesium flakes, and WHAM! 4,500 degrees fahrenheit. DESIGNED to start damp kindling. Waterproof. Leak proof. LASTS A VERY LONG TIME IN USE. Keep a couple spares in the bottom of your pack, but certainly one in the pocket.
     
  11. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    You do have a good point. I have two magnesium blocks from FireSteel.com. One is much to big to carry around and doesn't have a built in striker. The other does have the built striker but it is also a bit too big to carry at 3" L X 1 1/4" W. But, I think you are right and this is the way to go. I think I had a smaller one at one time also...So, I am going to go online and see what I can find.
     
  12. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    IMG_20150224_010211056. mine is @Bear made. Perhaps you would like one as well?;)
     
    oldawg likes this.
  13. AxesAreBetter

    AxesAreBetter Monkey+++

    Rock it gramps. Bear knows his stuff.

    Is there a trick to getting a pile of magnesium? Every time I have tried, I would swear they shipped it with a knife hone instead of a tinder block.
     
  14. Bandit99

    Bandit99 Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Well, I went looking on Amazon and apparently there is a lot of Chinese crap now, some even bearing the Doan's name (what the military uses) but in truth it's a Chinese knock off...So, I need to find a vendor that sells real ones, made in the USA. I am going to test these two I have tomorrow as I haven't used them yet and now don't trust them. I got them from FireStarter.com when I returned stateside a little over a year ago... But, I do think this is the way to go.
    EDIT: Who is 'Bear'?
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2016
  15. AxesAreBetter

    AxesAreBetter Monkey+++

    Good luck finding anything made in the U.S. these days. If China makes it cheaper, the .gov will buy there.

    Bear is a member...full username of Bear. You can search for him in the search bar to the upper right of the banner up top.
     
  16. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Two things.
    1) I believe there is a review of magnesium fire starters here at the monkey, and one brand stood out as the very best. (Highest magnesium content).
    2) no need to find @Bear , he has been alerted and will be along shortly. (Use of the @ symbol before the person's name crates a link and pages that member. )
    Links show as blue.
     
  17. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

  18. Witch Doctor 01

    Witch Doctor 01 Mojo Maker

  19. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Very similar to mine, and at that price, I may replace mine with it.
     
  20. Tikka

    Tikka Monkey+++

    One of the easiest ways to start a fire is petroleum jetty and a tampon.

    Not very manly. :ROFLMAO:
     
    Ganado likes this.
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