By the author of Dear Diary: It’s Me, Jessica
Disclaimer: First and foremost, I am not affiliated with the EXOTAC company whatsoever. I am not getting paid by them for this review or receiving any kind of other compensation. I am doing this review as I think this is a good piece of gear.
Yes, we should all know how to start a fire using primitive or survivalist method of friction technique like using a bow drill.
However, in one of the OP articles, in the comment section, someone mentioned how he was excited to show an old trapper his skill at starting a fire using a primitive method.
The trapper looked at him funny and said, “Just use a lighter.”
Sometimes convenience and practically wins out.
I know we have all read about the practically and usefulness of the ubiquitous Bic lighter. For me, seems I use it for a dozen or so times and then it quits on me. I have tried several piezo lighters and none of them lasted very long either.
I also own a Zippo. It is not sealed so the fuel evaporates in short order.
The EXOTAC Titan Lighter
I have had the EXOTAC Titan Light for two years now.
Basically, imagine a rugged, sealed, waterproof-to-one-meter lighter. It uses a traditional high spark flint and wick. Both are field replaceable. The fuel compartment is a cotton material. It is also sealed with an o-ring, preventing the evaporation of the fuel. The compartment can also hold an additional flint or two.
At the end of this past winter, the flint had finally worn out and needed replacing. But I wanted to see how effective the sealed fuel compartment was. So, I let the lighter sit on the shelf till I needed it again this year once cold weather set in and I needed the lighter to start the fire in the kitchen.
With my thumb on the top edge of the flameguard, I used the tip of a bullet to push the retaining pin out. I then could easily use my fingernails to pull it the rest of the way out. Carefully, I slipped the flameguard and spark wheel off, as there is a spring that keeps pressure on the flint to the spark wheel. Carefully, I placed all the parts on a paper towel as not to lose them as they are rather small parts. I tapped the flameguard a few times on my desk to get what remained of the old flint out. I then inserted the new flint with the spring behind it. I placed the flameguard back on the main body of the lighter, aligned the cross holes and reinserted the retaining pin.
Top: Main body and wick.
Middle: Flameguard, spark wheel, retention push-out tool (aka bullet).
Bottom, left to right: Retaining pin, flint, spring.
As the flint was new, it was a bit rough to get the spark wheel to move but once it did, I got a good spark. After three tries, the wick light. So, after months of sitting on the shelf, the fuel compartment still held fuel.
New flint installed. Note: lower brass-colored pin is the retaining pin.
Replacement parts
Replacement parts are available for all the parts that could suffer wear and tear.
You can get a kit with 5 flints and 2 o-rings for $7.95
The wicks come in two-wick set for $4.95 ().
The EXOTAC Titan Lighter is $69.95.
Have you ever tried the Titan Light?
What about you? Have you ever given the Titan Light a test run? What is your favorite go-to lighter? What lighter do you have that has lasted for the longest time?
Let’s discuss it in the comments section.
About 1stMarineJarHead
1stMarineJarHead is not only a former Marine, but also a former EMT-B, Wilderness EMT (courtesy of NOLS), and volunteer firefighter.
He currently resides in the great white (i.e. snowy) Northeast with his wife and dogs. He raises chickens, rabbits, goats, occasionally hogs, cows and sometimes ducks. He grows various veggies and has a weird fondness for rutabagas. He enjoys reading, writing, cooking from scratch, making charcuterie, target shooting, and is currently expanding his woodworking skills.
I’m a huge fan of Exotac in general and of the titanLIGHT in particular. It’s a great lighter and I love that it doesn’t leak like Zippos and other similar styles. Yeah, it’s pricier than a BIC, but with minimal care you’ll be able to pass it down to your kids or grandkids.
Right there with ya Jim. The other lighters kept failing on me. I wanted a lighter I could count on, so gave this one a try. As you point out, pricey, but it works!
I figure I will keep some disposable lighters for trade and keep the Exotac as my own personal lighter.
Yep, picked up one of the lighters, and two of the match carriers a couple years ago. Like you, I wanted to see how long the lighter would last – over eight months and it still lit on the first strike. They have all been incorporated into my “get home” bag.
Unfortunately for me, with the exchange rate, I wound up at about $90 for a “Zippo on Steroids”. I’d been aware of Exotac for a while, but I had trouble talking myself into a lighter at that price.
Excelente review 1StMarine.
100% agree: in training we should practice alternative methods not only to make fire but to do everything else. Just so we know and get prepared to cover as many situations as possible.
But in action, nothing beats practical and convenient gear. If a lighter or match is at hand, just strike it and be done. This one looks functional, reliable and sturdy; just what I look for in a piece of equipment. I’ll check it out, thanks.
https://amzn.to/4iUcy8P
Best lighter I’ve ever had