[pct-l] Replacement for the faithful bic?

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

Yes; I've tried these.  I find the flame to be too close to the body of the lighter -- okay for things like cigarettes in the wind, but hard to light my alcohol stove. I had a hard time cramming the flame down low enough to get the stove lit. It was heavier than the Bic, too.  It got dumped during my gear testing process.  I noticed that the Bic became less reliable and harder to use in colder weather and at higher altitudes.  Keeping it in an inside pocket where it was warmer helped.

Ultra-lite master Andy Skurka advised to use only matches, which was his method for his Sea-to-Sea hike.  I carried and used a mini-Bic, but actually liked using the matches better.  

I think it would be cool to be like Bear Grylls (Man vs. Wild) and carry only a flint.  

L-Rod
-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Saenz <msaenz at mve-architects.com>
>Sent: Jan 2, 2007 5:21 PM
>To: Deems <losthiker at sisqtel.net>, pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Replacement for the faithful bic?
>
>Sorry if this is a duplicate response (I opened this after deleting
>several response posts)...
>
>I saw a lighter in several convenience stores which lit like a tiny
>propane torch- a fine point of high pressure blue flame. I'd bet that it
>would stay lit in a high wind!
>
>Because it burned like tiny pocket-rocket, it probably eliminates the
>tilt problem the mini Bics have
>
>I also bet it runs out of fuel quickly, but it was small and cheap. Sold
>on the counter right next to the mini Bics.
>
>I'll get one next time I see it and see how well and long it burns.
>
>Anyone else see these?
>
>Michael  Saenz
>Associate Partner
>
>MVE & Partners, Inc. | Architecture + Planning + Interiors 
>Irvine + Oakland + Honolulu
>
>1900 Main Street, Suite 800 | Irvine, California 92614-7318 | T
>949.809.3388 | www.mve-architects.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
>[mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Deems
>Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2007 5:09 PM
>To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: [pct-l] Replacement for the faithful bic?
>
>Perfecting fire is like perfecting the mouse trap. I like the mini bic,
>and 
>I pull the safety stop on every one. I carry two for my adventures and
>never 
>get beyond #1. This lighter looks neat, but it has an extra moving part,
>and 
>more parts introduce potential for problems. Refillable seems like an
>obtuse 
>need, when a new bic is an easier answer. However, I bow to any artistic
>
>expression of fire..for it is old as man..
>~~~
>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 
>
>
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