New Flat-Flame Lighters From Les Fines Lames
Les Fines Lames, the French manufacturer best known for its distinctive line of cigar knife cutters, has carved a name for itself in the niche world of luxury cigar accessories. Since starting in 2015, the company has gradually added to its portfolio, touching nearly every sector of the accessories market. Now, its most recent addition aims to strengthen its offerings in perhaps the most critical of product lines for cigar smokers: lighters. The Le Feu - RS lighter, equipped with a sleek, flat-flame torch, debuted earlier this year and is now available for purchase on the company’s website and in cigar stores.
Le Feu roughly translates to “the fire” in English. The “RS” in the product name stands for “Ring Shaped,” which the company says is inspired by cigar rings, or the rounded, cylindrical shape typical of most cigars. The latter moniker is evident in the design of the lighters, which are very thin except for the middle curvature that protrudes on both sides, mirroring the shape of a cigar. The RS lighters two other “Le Feu” models as part of Les Fines Lames lighter portfolio, Le Feu Brick and Le Feu Svelt.
The lighters have a sleek, classy look. They won’t “wow” you with eccentric design, rather they seem built for functionality, but with a purposeful touch of elegance. According to Pierre Jourdan, founder and creative director of Les Fines Lames, that’s the approach the company takes with most of its products. “When creating new Les Fines Lame pieces, we always keep in mind the motto ‘simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,’ ” says Jourdan. “Le Feu - RS embodies this philosophy.”
The RS lighters are available in eight different finishes: Armor Black, Brushed Chrome, Brushed Gold, Burnt Bronze, Glacier Blue, Habanero Red, OD Green and Sniper Grey. The two brushed metal models have very smooth and shiny exteriors, they embody the more traditional, elegant accessories common in the cigar world. The gold model has distinct richness, more akin to the shade of gold seen in ancient artifacts rather than the typical shiny gold on jewelry. The colored, satin paint models, on the contrary, have a kind of matte feel to them with a good grip and a durable finish. They offer a chance to express more personality and flair, but the exterior also feels built to last and withstand continued use.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the RS line is the flame itself. The very top of the lighters looks more suited for dropping coins in than producing flame, but save your loose change. Upon ignition, a sharp, flat, torch flame is produced, which nearly takes the shape of an arrowhead. The fire is precise and not overwhelming. It won’t be the strongest torch lighter you’ve ever encountered, though the flame height is adjustable, but it’s certainly serviceable and should hold up in most weather conditions suitable for cigar smoking.
The lighters are -friendly. On one side, there’s a long ignition button that runs the length of the lighter, making it easy to produce a flame, almost regardless of your grip. Don’t worry though, you still have to apply enough pressure, so you shouldn’t accidentally set the lighter off just by picking it up. The other side has a gas tank window and you can add butane on the bottom where you adjust the flame. The lighters are small and light enough to carry and conceal in your pocket. The RS is roughly two and a half inches tall and weighs around three ounces.
When the lighters were released earlier this year, they were available solely through Les Fines Lames partner retailers spread mostly throughout Europe and the United States. Now, you can purchase them directly from the company’s website. The colored, satin paint models each retail for $179 apiece. The Brushed Chrome model is currently listed at $199 on the Les Fines Lames website, whereas the Brushed Gold lighter has a price tag of $219.
Les Fines Lames is also releasing another product, but this time it’s a reintroduction. The company’s Punch Bracelets—stylish, beaded bracelets with clasps that double as stainless steel cigar punches—will be available once again with an elastic band. The resurrection comes as a result of customer , which Les Fines Lames took to heart. For the last few years, the bracelets have solely been made with an adjustable, sliding cord. Now, all models can be purchased with either the sliding cord option or an elastic version, available just in a large size, which is ideal for wrists between 20 and 22 centimeters (about eight inches) in diameter.
The Punch Bracelet, first introduced in 2019, is one of Les Fines Lames staple items and is available in a wide array of finishes and designs. If you unscrew the clasps of the bracelet, a seven-millimeter, stainless steel cigar punch blade reveals itself. Once your cigar is ready, the bracelet can be screwed back together and reassume its role as a fine piece of jewelry. The accessory is just as much fashion-oriented as it is cigar-oriented. Some feature beads made with stones such as tiger eye, magnesite and volcanic stone, which can be supplemented with gold and silver charms, rings or skull pieces. Prices range from $69 to $258.
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