052 – Handmade Mechanical Titanium Automatic Lighter

I’ve been using Brass and Steel Zippo lighters for years for lighting kerosene and oil lamps around my rural farmstead. They are quite useful and definitely last as compared to the ubiquitous Bic style plastic lighters that are available everywhere. This WDMART lighter is an interesting steampunky take on Zippo style lighters.

The Stainless-Steel version of this lighter that I received is slightly longer and heavier than my Zippos and weighs 4.3-ounces and is 2.6-inches tall, 1.4-inches wide, and 0.5-inches deep. I will post a side-by-side comparison photo with one of my Zippo lighters. When you flick the knurled tab to open the lid on this lighter, it simultaneously lights the lighter at the same time that the lid opens, which I like as it is easier and faster to use one-handed over a Zippo. There is also a lock that you can engage to prevent accidental openings, since it ignites when opened, which could be disastrous if it opened accidentally in a pocket or pack.

It runs off kerosene, lighter fluid, or lamp oil, and I prefer it to a butane style lighter because there are fewer parts that could break. I also like that the flint is replaceable and that this comes with ten replaceable flints, five of which can be stored in the wheel of the lighter. The lighter comes in a strange large wooden presentation box, and it arrives with an assortment of spare parts from springs and O-rings to a spare wick and cotton soaking pad. This uses a cotton wick and cotton soaking pad like those found on a Zippo, and as far as I can tell when it needs replacing, you can use a wick from any brand that is designed for Zippo lighters. To adjust the height of the flame, you just need a small pliers to pull the wick further up from its retaining slot.

I do have a few cons that you should be aware of if you choose to order this lighter:

– This does not come with any type of instruction manual. If you’re familiar with Zippos, then you’ll be fine figuring the operation of this out, but there is no breakdown as to how to replace the springs and O-rings and other various parts and components. If you are handy, then you can probably figure it all out, but a manual or at least specifications chart would be helpful so that you don’t accidentally break or lose a critical part.

– There is only one tab for actuating the opening and ignition on this lighter, which is designed for right-handed use. If you are a Lefty, then you must open this with your index finger and not your thumb if holding it in the left hand, which is not all that comfortable or easy to manipulate. This is really designed primarily for right-handed use.

– This is advertised as windproof, but I’m going to say that it is just mildly wind resistant. Try to light a camp stove or campfire on a windy day and you will be sorely disappointed.

So, is it worth the hefty asking price of over a hundred dollars? Well, that is for you to decide. As far as I am concerned, this is unnecessarily expensive for what you get. Look around for the Dragon Tongue Lighter on Amazon and elsewhere and I am pretty sure you can find this for significantly less.