Product Review: S.T. Dupont X-Tend Lighter

If there’s been one standard in my cigar smoking over the past years of my smoking, it’s my S.T. Dupont X-Tend lighter.  If you’ve been with me for awhile, you know I really haven’t done product reviews, but I think this one deserves time and mention here on Cigar Command.

The S.T. Dupont X-Tend lighter has long been a standard of luxury in the cigar smoking lifestyle.  If you’re not aware of the price already, the current MSRP for this lighter is about $195.  Now, before you completely dismiss this lighter, hear me out.  If you’ll look at my pictures, these are images of my actual lighter, not standard product images of a new X-Tend.  It’s pretty beat up.

I bought my lighter back in January 2003.  Then the current MSRP was $125 and I figured no lighter was worth that price.  At the time I was stationed at Camp Pendleton outside of San Diego and my local shop was Cigar Grotto.  Since starting smoking cigars in 2000, I’d become good friends with Gregg, the owner of Cigar Grotto, his family, and his staff, and it was the lighter he and his staff raved about.  I eventually wanted one badly.  Well, luckily, Gregg had a sale and I picked one up.  Since then this lighter has been numerously dropped, kicked, washed in the washing machine, dried in a dryer, and more.  You’d think that I would be more careful, and I always intended to be, but I really beat up this lighter.  And, guess what… it still works like a charm.

I’ve never had a problem with this lighter.  Even after I pulled it out of the washer or dryer, it would light on the first click.  It’s been over six years since I first bought this lighter and it’s been completely reliable and faithful.  The only maintenance it needs is to be refilled with fuel every once-in-awhile.  I know it’s a lot of money to spend on a lighter, but if you want one luxury item to use in your cigar smoking, then I say this should be it.

On a side note, if you’re out in the San Diego area, I urge you to get up to Oceanside and check out Cigar Grotto.  Gregg’s a great guy and a true brother of the leaf.

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1. 

   Se7en_Vandalay says:

   April 19, 2009 at 7:32 pm

   DAMN! That’s quite a price tag, but six+ years for a lighter is pretty good. With all the wear and tear you put on it sounds like it’s very durable. Guess when I spring for a luxury lighter, I’ll put this near the top of the list to check out. Thanks for the product review.
2. 

   beezer says:

   April 19, 2009 at 9:08 pm

   Nice review! I’m no lighter buff and until your review I had never heard of this lighter. I always have terrible luck with lighters (I go cheap), so maybe its time I look into getting something a little more durable and of better quality.

   Stationed at Camp Pendleton huh? So was I…from 1998-2000. I spent 8 years in the Corps and got out in 2004.

   Semper Fi!

   v/r
   Beezer
3. 

   Ricky says:

   April 20, 2009 at 7:11 am

   Just missed you, Beezer. I got there in 2000 after spending 4 years in Okinawa. I was in for 8 and got out in 2003. I can’t believe it’s been so long already. Semper Fi, bro.

   As for the lighter, I know it’s a big chunk of change, but to me it’s worth it. I don’t usually say that about something like this, but after the abuse this lighter’s taken, I have to say that it’s just awesome. And if you don’t look at it too closely, it’s still very classy-looking.
4. 

   Rob says:

   May 3, 2009 at 4:30 pm

   Good review. While the Duponts do carry a price tag above others I have to say it’s well worth it. Mine has lasted years.

   Keep up the good work and I love the picture you shot.