Is there a windproof lighter that actually works?

A

ash2020

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Hi all.
I have had various lighters, currently a Turboflame red one and haven't found one that consistently works. I did have one that had a glowing element when it was lit, to prevent it blowing out and it was a great idea but soon stopped working. The Turboflame lights and burns for about 1 second then goes out. I have tried emptying and refilling with Swan gas but to no avail. I only use it for sealing ropes etc. but it's pointless if it doesn't work!
Thanks
Andrew
 
The bog standard Zippo was the most windproof lighter I ever had. If I had need for such a thing, that would be my first choice. I got mine of my friend in the Marines, and it was emblazoned with the RM crest. Of course they use spirit as fuel, rather than gas. I see they're not cheap, but you get what you pay for. I've had Zippo "clones" which were just about useless.

https://www.zippo.co.uk/165-windproof-lighters
 
For ropes I purchased a gas powered rope cutter for about £20 and this works really well. I would not even try to seal ropes with a lighter in the wind but with the rope cutter I can.
 
elton said:
The bog standard Zippo was the most windproof lighter I ever had. If I had need for such a thing, that would be my first choice. I got mine of my friend in the Marines, and it was emblazoned with the RM crest. Of course they use spirit as fuel, rather than gas. I see they're not cheap, but you get what you pay for. I've had Zippo "clones" which were just about useless.

https://www.zippo.co.uk/165-windproof-lighters
Click to expand...

Agree, petrol Zippo. I do have the z-plus gas inserts that are pretty good though which I have used for the last decade or so.

Mister E said:
For ropes I purchased a gas powered rope cutter for about £20 and this works really well. I would not even try to seal ropes with a lighter in the wind but with the rope cutter I can.
Click to expand...

For cutting and sealing ropes, I use a blowtorch and an old knife. Works a treat. The blowtorch is also the best tool for lighting bbq's of all types.
 
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ash2020 said:
Hi all.
I have had various lighters, currently a Turboflame red one and haven't found one that consistently works. I did have one that had a glowing element when it was lit, to prevent it blowing out and it was a great idea but soon stopped working. The Turboflame lights and burns for about 1 second then goes out. I have tried emptying and refilling with Swan gas but to no avail. I only use it for sealing ropes etc. but it's pointless if it doesn't work!
Thanks
Andrew
Click to expand...

IIRC Swan gas and other bog standard ones are not suitable for Turboflame lighters. The gas is not refined enough despite what it may say on the label. I tried it too and it's pants. I got the correct grade of gas from Maplins of all places and if you follow the Turboflame instructions to the letter then it works a treat. They need to be 'bled' of any residual gas before refilling.
 
I bought a red Turboflame at Force 4 late last year. Force 4 also recommended a can of Swan butane for refilling...

...so it's disappointing to learn that Swan butane specifically isn't up to the job. Actually it's academic because even with the original gas, the flame was nowhere near as strong as advertised, and I regret to say, the Turboflame's build quality is the main problem.

The piezo-electric clicker simply stopped clicking. So now it wouldn't matter what gas was inside, it wouldn't ignite.

It's a nice idea - and it feels good - solid and compact. But after very few uses, it stopped functioning. If someone made a £50 version which was a fraction as reliable as a conventional Zippo, I'd order one.

EDIT: I'll try that Silva Helios, looks a better bet than Turboflame. :encouragement:
 
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I do a couple of dozen splices each year in 25mm Multiplait for moorings & have 3 turboflame lighters & they all work very well. I fill them with ordinary lighter fuel.
If it does not light immediately in wind hold your finger over the top & depress the button a little to release some gas ( you can hear it hiss) then quickly light as normal with finger removed. This gives it a bit more gas to get it going.
 
It is early days... but I bought one of these recently having had trouble lighting a incinerator in relatively light winds with a match (or more like a box) and a "standard" petrol filled lighter. I've used it 3 times, once in wind to light a fire, once in shelter to light a paraffin heater (sheltered) and once to seal the ends on some webbing that was fraying and I think it was a reasonable breeze then too.

Its lit every time first trigger, quite like it. Liked the price!
 
My son left several zippo lighter when he left home. Pm me if interested.
Personally I use gas blow torch and an old table knife to seal rope ends . The knife slots into a winch hex to cool.
 
For lighting cigarettes or a pipe the zippo worked great on a submarine bridge in all weathers.On the other hand for sealing rope my main tool is a catalytic gas soldering iron from Aldi with a knife blade, light in shelter and the catalytic burner then keeps it going. For big stuff I use a gas blow torch with a piezo igniter once again light in shelter and then t will work in a gale
 
elton said:
The bog standard Zippo was the most windproof lighter I ever had. If I had need for such a thing, that would be my first choice. I got mine of my friend in the Marines, and it was emblazoned with the RM crest. Of course they use spirit as fuel, rather than gas. I see they're not cheap, but you get what you pay for. I've had Zippo "clones" which were just about useless.

https://www.zippo.co.uk/165-windproof-lighters
Click to expand...

Actually, the Classic Zippo at £18 isn't bad. I paid a tenner for the Turboflame which doesn't work.
 
KevO said:
IIRC Swan gas and other bog standard ones are not suitable for Turboflame lighters. The gas is not refined enough despite what it may say on the label. I tried it too and it's pants. I got the correct grade of gas from Maplins of all places and if you follow the Turboflame instructions to the letter then it works a treat. They need to be 'bled' of any residual gas before refilling.
Click to expand...

That's what The guy at Turboflame just told me too. I have got some Colibri gas on order, which they recommend.
 
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