I'm looking for an elegant soft-flame lighter and it seems the best deals are on eBay, which means I'd have to purchase one sight unseen. I've seen some old Dunhill Rollagas that look to be in good condition, but there are many other options as well. Does anyone here have experience buying vintage lighters from eBay?
By the way, I'd be using it to light cigars.
Posted Jul 25, 2021, 4:03 PM UTC
Something like a Dunhill or Dupont can always be serviced, as long as all the parts are there. They are fairly reliable. Other brands are less so. Vintage butane lighters are prone to have problems, the o-rings and gaskets dry out over time and will not hold pressure.
You can easily find serviced Dunhills and Duponts, and if you buy one blindly and it doesn't work, there are service kits available with all of the o-rings you need. O-rings are not so readily available for the less known brands.
Thanks, that helps.
I can add that rollalites when working are a solid lighter with a simple mechanism for opening and lighting.
The Varaflame I use day to day can lose the flint pusher when dropped and the mechanism for opening and igniting is fragile by comparison to a lot of lighters.
In general, the less intricate designs are easiest on upkeep.
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