So, I bought a Blazer CG-001 lighter about a month ago off Amazon. It now doesn't work. I know why.... The little piece of copper that conducts the lighter spark fell out. It happened once while fishing, and I was actually about to find it on the deck and put it back in the lighter to fix it. Next time I went to use the lighter, it was gone again... I guess it fell out somewhere else. :-)

Anyone else have this problem? Anyone have any experience with replacing that little copper piece?

I guess I need a new lighter. This is now my second decent lighter. My first was a $60 Colibri lighter... just stopped working after a while.

I need advice on what to get that is RELIABLE. I'm tired of spending good money on lighters that just don't last!

Thanks!
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Ronson or Cbid if you want something a little more substantial. :-)
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We all know Xikar makes good cutters. I have a xikar fuego lighter that came as a freebie with a CI deal. Lights EVERY FREAKING TIME I click it. It's not pretty, but it works. Ronson is also good in the low price range, if you can find them in your area.
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For a torch, non-Ronson, Blazer is about as reliable as you are going to get. My advice would be to get another one, you got a dud, it's definatly not normal for Blazers.

I had a Xikar Exec, busted within a year. Now I use soft flame indoors, if I'm outside I just use a Ronson because I didn't feel like buying another torch. Got tired of dealing with torch lighters, most of them are pieces of crap.
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Finally got a Blazer ( Model PB210-CR ) and after 5 mos it has the same striker problem you describe although it does work occasionaly so the copper piece may be just out of position. No luck with many others - work for a few mos and lose either butane flow or spark.
Decided to try, for at home use, a table top design but on a tip from Walt at Stogie Review in one of his video reviews purchased a type used by chefs to finish carmelizing Creme Brule. Bed Bath and Beyond -19.95 - works great so far and for the money I'll just replace it. Holds a ton of Butane and the flame controls work well. For a portable option matches or a soft flame flint striker type for me for now.
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http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4179

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Best lighter buy on the market! Under $2 a piece delivered if you buy 3.
These hold more fuel than Ronsons and are very reliable. I have given away dozens. If one breaks, you just toss and pull another out of the drawer. :-)
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I actually found this same website last night. I think this may be the best bet. That site actually has several different models of torch lighter. I was thinking about ordering like 5 of each, just to mix it up and see what is best.

Not only is shipping free, but I also found a coupon code for a discount if you order 3 or more of any product! Code: BULKRATE




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I can get 15 lighters (5x 3 different lighters), shipped, for the same price of the Blazer - about $33! Seems like a very good option...
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I pulled the trigger. I ordered 10 of the lighter suggested by bobarian. I used the BULKRATE code and the total came to about $20 shipped. Not bad at all. Hopefully, this collection will get me through quite a long time...

Thanks for everyone's input! :-)
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OK... not that anyone cares that much but....

I got home from the weekend at the shore where my Blazer broke and tried my old Colibri lighter. I was bleeding it with the plan to try and fill it up again... and it just started working! Apparently, maybe it just needed to be bled, and the thing works fine!

Oh well... I'll have lots of backups now :-)
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Lol dont you love when that happens :-)
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I've learned that good quality butane is way more important than the lighter itself, if you want sustained reliability. For a while, I was using any ol' butane I could pickup locally, but even high quality lighters will suffer with it.

I've been using Xikar butane with no problems for the past several months. I know others will have their favorites as well, but definitely check the quality of the butane. :-)
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Agreed.

I've been using Vector butane only...


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I had one of these I used for a year and a half, and then gave it to a guy who needed a lighter. Eventually the chain broke off, but it never missed a lick.

I have three Blazers and a decent soft flame lighter, but I always keep some of the dealextreme cheapies around. For the money, you just can't beat 'em.
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I think it goes without saying that short of an IRONCLAD guarantee, one should never pay over
4 bucks for a lighter. And even with the gurarantee, sometimes postage to send it back to have it
fixed is worth the same as 10 good cheap lighters.
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Painting with a pretty broad brush there :-). Maybe it "goes without saying", but I don't regret the money I paid for my Blazer. Since I don't typically carry extra lighters with me, I like having the one I do carry to be reliable. :-)
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I just got back from a trip where I purchased 2 Ronson Jetlites at WalMart and these are great backups for a Blazer. I own 2 Blazers and they are still my favorite, but these Jetlites at just under $4 each are really good. I had to go to the counter where they sold the cigarettes at to find them. :-)
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I am a big fan of the Blazers as well, have had one that lasted more than 3 years as an every day lighter. The Ronsons are good for what they are, but I find the flame a little small for lighting cigars properly. I keep a couple Ronsons around for inexpensive back-ups, but my Blazer is my go-to.
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:-) Used Mine 2-3X/Wk For Last 3 Years With "0" Problems. Always Refill With Vector 5X Refined.:-)
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I must have got a bad one... or a BS one... or something. The fact that the little copper piece for the spark fell out in only a few weeks of use is total crap. I'm pretty pissed. Going to try and contact the manufacturer.
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