Product Review

This lighter has been known by other names such as "shepherds' lighter" or "rope lighter". What makes it unique is that conventional fuel is not needed, and there is no flame. The method of operation is to strike the attached flint wheel to create sparks, which are caught on a charred cotton rope, that has been partially withdrawn from a metal tube housing. This was typically used for lighting cigarettes which does not require a flame to accomplish. Once an ember is generated, it is windproof, and is extinguished by retracting the cord back inside the tube and an attached lid snuffs it out. This flame-less feature made it somewhat covert and was often used during WWII. The windproof feature is also advantageous and was useful to shepherds who were out in the windy field while watching their flocks. It is an easy way to create a live ember, when, combined with tinder, can be coaxed into a flame for starting campfires.