[pct-l] Replacement for the faithful bic?

[Perkins, Perry]

Hey all,

Been reading the bear cannister posts with great interest. I don't post
often, but I found a cheap, lightweight gear item that, while not yet
tested, I think might be a great new addition to my pack.

Like many of you, I'm sure, I carry a mini-bic lighter for emergencies,
petzel failure on my stove, and the occasional fish-fire. One thing I've
never liked about the mini-bic (or any lighter for that matter) is that
I usually have to hold it as such an angle that I end up singing my
thumb and/or forefinger before anything lights. Also, when making a
tinder-ball, I can't light it in the center, but only on an outside
edge.

Yesterday I was tooling around the local grocery store (Albertsons, I
think) and found this on the check-out shelf (they make these displays
for impulse buyers like me....)

http://acme-usa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1350

I looked up the manufacturer online to find a picture of the product and
that is it. It's about the size of a standard bic (not mini) and weighs
about the same. BUT, it had a retractable lighting tube, on/off switch,
and it's refillable (butane). Cost me $4.99!

Basically, a palm-sized, retractable bbq lighter, but I think it will
work very well for the uses above, too.

Thanks again,
 
Perry