Torch It or BIC It?

redryno247

Evolving Lead Gorilla
The question at hand is this; to use a torch lighter (wind resistant, butane fuel, jet lighter) or a BIC-type lighter (lighter fuel, flame lighter).

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VS.
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My first few cigars were lit (unevenly I might add), using a flame type lighter. This was simply out of convenience; it's what I had on hand. Did it get the job done? Yes. Was it perfect? No. The problem with this type of lighter is that it's most susceptible to wind. I personally like to be able to get a lot of heat to the cigar in a short amount of time. I was never really able to do this using a flame type lighter. As already mentioned, I also suffered from many an uneven burn. It should be stated, that attempting to correct/fix an uneven burn with a flame type light, while not impossible, I found to be quite difficult. I usually would end up charing the wrapper; producing a bitter taste in the smoking experience. In my humble estimation a flame type lighter should be used in a pinch. In fact, I'd personally opt for matches over a flame type lighter.

I quickly made the jump to a torch lighter, and immediately noticed a huge difference. The biggest difference between the two types is that a torch lighter produces a hotter burning, wind resistant flame, that allowed me to put a large amount of heat to my cigar in a short amount of time. A torch lighter allowed me the opportunity to toast the cigar rather than light it. By toasting the cigar I found I was able to get a much more even burn over the course of the smoke.

By "toast" I'm referring to the process where, rather than begin with the cigar in your mouth, you keep the cigar gripped in your hand, holding it at a comfortable horizontal position. You then ignite the torch lighter and place the tip of the flame to the foot of the cigar; making sure to cover the entire surface area of the foot with the tip of the flame. This allows the tobacco at the foot of the cigar to take on heat, beginning to burn. After the entire foot of the cigar has been toasted, you can draw in a couple of initial puffs, to help draw the heat down into the cigar. Your cigar is now lit and you should notice that you have a nice even burn established, with little to no charred wrapper.

I've noticed that the price range for a torch lighter vary as much as does the style. While everyone likely has their own oppinion on which torch lighter is best, it's probably best for you to find the one that fits you; in terms of style (looks), feel, no. of jets (1, 2, 3), and price. Another consideration might be company.

I've had two different torch lighters, my first being a Colibri Firebird. This cost me $10 and worked fine until the butane ran out. I was unfortunately unable to refill the lighter because the valve was too shallow in the body of the lighter. My second lighter came to me free through a promotion. It was the Colibri Cigar II. I've refilled this lighter a couple of different times, and except for a couple of mislights, has performed great for me. At this time, this is the perfect lighter for me as it suits all the criteria I listed above. Pictured below is what this lighter looks like (minus the CI logo), mine is black and silver.

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While finding the perfect lighter can prove more challenging sometimes than finding what to smoke this weekend, it's worth the time and investment to find what works best for you. If it were me, I'd opt for a torch lighter and go from there. Which such a wide range of choices just within torch lighter, you're sure to find something you'll love and that will serve you well for years to come.

Thanks for reading.
 
Butane = odorless and tasteless

Lighter fluid...well, I have steaks where some genius decided to put lighter fluid on (the charcoal). Not odorless and tasteless and would probably mess up your tobacco flava's!
 
Butane = odorless and tasteless

Lighter fluid...well, I have steaks where some genius decided to put lighter fluid on (the charcoal). Not odorless and tasteless and would probably mess up your tobacco flava's!

Also another good point for the torch lighter...did you choke down the steaks? That's rough.
 
Either soft flame or torch work fine. Soft flame can take a little longer to and requires more attention to detail and can be much harder to use outdoors if there is any breeze at all.

Torch is faster but does require that you take care not to char the cigar overly. Also much easier to use outdoors.

Both certainly work.
 
I've been using a z-plus insert for my zippo and really like that.

On another note, that first picture appears to be a swiss army knife.... Does anyone know where to get one of those???
 
I use an array of single and double flame torches. If I really want a soft flame I pick up the cigar matches. I've always felt that bics are best used for cigarettes which I don't smoke.
:ss
 
Looks like torches win by a long shot. I'm a torch guy myself, and will reach past matches to get the job done right.

Not that I'm trying to stir the pot (O.K., maybe a little bit), but don't BIC lighters have butane in them? In my mind, there's a HUGEdifference between BICs and Zippo fluid.
 
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Not to hijack but for those that use matches are there any in particular that you use or any made specifically for cigars? I like my torches though whether it be single or triple flame.
 
I think you are correct and that is what I was about to add.

http://www.bicworld.com/inter_en/pdf/2006/lighter presentation_14nov06.pdf

"Also, BIC® lighters are filled with pure ISO butane which guarantees the stability of the flame."

Thanks for straightening me out on that. I thought that was correct.

But, as the OP noted, a BIC just doesnt' toast the foot like a torch does...

Not to hijack but for those that use matches are there any in particular that you use or any made specifically for cigars? I like my torches though whether it be single or triple flame.

Long (3-4 inches), wooden matches are the choice of many. Just make sure the bits of sulfur have burned off before toasting/lighting, as you don't want that taste in your cigar. A couple of seconds will take care of it.
 
I use a refillable butane soft flame lighter for my pipes a lot of times when I do not want to deal with matches. For my cigars, I use a butane torch, quick easy and even burn. I have even found a soft flame torch lighter, seems odd, but the flame does not burst out of the lighter and is not wind resistant at all. One of my torches look like the CI photo you posted, but it is a Vector brand, it is also a favorite lighter of mine.

One of the fun things about tobacco, all the cool little accessories to find!!
 
3 Words....Long Wooden Matches

But normally I just use a torch.

I'm going to get some of those and do that from time to time - I always smoke outside and this time of the year - the wind is wicked, even at 9, 10pm but for those nice summer evenings with not even a bit wind - a nice, long wooden match to light a nice stog would be enjoyable - go thru a few to get it lit but that's part of the enjoyment isn't it?
 
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