Review—Xikar Linea Single-Flame Lighter
Ask a cigar smoker what they value most in a lighter, and the answer will likely be dependability. No one enjoys trying to toast a cigar, only to have the lighter's flame sputter or not appear at all.
Xikar's new Linea single-flame lighter is not only dependable, but comes with a host of other user-friendly features one expects to find in a modern lighter. And with a price of only $29.99, it's also a bargain.
The new-for-2017 Linea measures about 2 1/2 inches tall by 1 1/2 inch wide, or just slightly larger than a conventional Djeep lighter. It weighs only about as much as a deck of cards, thanks to a mainly plastic body. Most of the weight seems to come from the metal base and top, which give the lighter a sturdy feel. Overall, the Linea is quite durable, having survived more than a few drops in our office.
The single-jet flame is triggered via a push-down button on the top of the lighter, where there is also a lid that covers the flame, protecting it from any tobacco bits or other debris when not in use. When the ignition button is pushed, the protective lid pops up to guard the user's thumb from the high temperature of the torch flame—a smart design and a nice little touch. Best of all, we experienced little to no misfires during our test, which encompassed lighting up about 150 cigars.
A standard fuel window on the side of the body allows one to judge how much butane is left in the tank, while the oversized fuel wheel on the base makes it simple to adjust the height of the flame.
Xikar's Linea comes in four glossy finishes—tuxedo black, riot red, electric yellow and reef blue—and is available at Xikar's website, or your local brick-and-mortar tobacconist. And like all Xikar products, it's covered by the company's lifetime warranty.
