dccrens --- one of the best that I have ever used ...

... is the Blazer PB-207.

Oh, and I might add ...

Zippo's are the most dependable lighters I've even seen in my life, and are great for lighting cigarettes, but I wouldn't even think of lighting a cigar with one ...

... there is nothing worse, than taking those first wonderful puffs of an expensive cigar, only to have it taste like lighter fluid.

That's why many even 'toast the foot' of a cigar (to light it) even with the most refined butane made ... they want nothing but the true taste of the tobacco to shine through.

I have a Colibri Vortex lighter now for a little under a year now and I have not had any problems with it. I have since ordered a Triple flame unit to ensure a good lighting of the cigar. As far as the butane goes I have been using Ronson's butane that you buy at Wal-Mart and have not had a problem.

I have had the Colibri triple flame lighter for about 6 months now, use the fuel sold at the PX, don't purge it when filling, allow the dust of Iraq inside it, and it has worked flawlessly. Guess I am just lucky?

Anyone using a cheap fuel, like Ronson's, will eventually have problems. These fuels are full of contaminants and oils.

Some of the higher-priced butane-powered lighters and jet torches incorporate micro-sized components with extremely precise tolerances. Smaller valves, orifices, and other fittings on these devices require clean fuel with lower levels of contaminants in order to deliver consistent, reliable operation. Premium butane fuel is also recommended for torches used at higher elevations (altitude).

Accordingly, in an effort to achieve a lower level of contaminants for purity, butane fuel, at a minimum, must be triple refined. Triple refined premium butane gas refills are always highly recommended by manufacturers of butane gas lighters and jet torches.

Also, the more refined your fuel is, the hotter and higher the flame will be ...

... why take chances on crap, when you can get better for about the same price?

The Colibri I own has been fine. I also use 3X refined fuel, and I also occasionally use compressed air to clear the tip and orifice. Also, I sent back to Colibri for repair some "old" Colibri Lighters that I came across. While they did not have the replacement parts for these any longer, they did send me back with the originals 2 comparable new lighters, Can't complain about that kinda service...especially compared to the Prometheus lighter I received as a gift, never worked right, and Prometheus basically blew me off...

I thought it was just me. I have had 4 Colibri lighters over the years. They have never lit a thing 2 days in a row. 2 of them have been back to Colibri 4 times for refurbishing. The last time I enclosed a note stating that they could keep them if they couldn't fix them. They came back and one still works. The other just doesn't. It's in a draw forever.

In fairness to Colibri, their service is fast and courteous. However, when I am leaving the house and go to grab a lighter, I grab the Zippo because fumes and all I know it will work.

Ronsons should be required to have a skull and crossbones displayed on their label along with the message "WARNING! - Lighter Poison" in large red letters.

Slim's right ... cheap fuel isn't adequately filtered and has contaminants that will clog your lighter ... I've got lighters I can take apart and SHOW you the proof if such is needed ...

It is highly recommended that at a MINIMUM, you use triple-refined fuel ... LAVA and VECTOR are both quintuple-refined and readily available ... they are the absolute best I know of.

When refilling, purge your lighter and reset flame level if needed ... this is absolutely critical on your first refill ... many of you probably have lighters you thought didn't work just because you didn't know to do that at the time of first refill ... I know shop owners who aren't aware of that either, so don't feel bad ...

Steve

I have tried what you have recommended. Purging first and then refilling but have had no luck. I use the Colibri Premium Butane. Any further recommendation besides tossing it away.

Sorry I missed the big event last Saturday.

Robert

You may need to set the flame higher ... particularly if this is the time of first refill ... the initial fill is done under a pressure your can cannot duplicate ... bleeding excess pressure is required to get more than a drop or two of fluid in, then resetting the flame upward is needed because the fuel is coming out under less pressure, perhaps enough so that it doesn't even light ...

Beyond that, get the guy at Baker Street downtown or that guy in Vacaville to clean the jets ... they should have a little brush suitable for the purpose ...

If that doesn't work ... I'm outta suggestions ...

It was a nice afternoon and a wonderful dinner ... we missed you ... your presence would've added even more to the occasion ...