I said many times on this site I am a Xikar fanboy and believe that I will be for a long time. Recently one of the guys from the cigar shop needed a little help with his Xikar lighter and I tried, but couldn’t fix it. So I ended up helping him through the process of using the Xikar Guarantee. I had done it once myself a long time ago and noticed it’s a little bit different now. So I simply decided to write up a quick post that answers the questions are Xikar lighters worth it, how to use the Xikar guarantee, and how you can contact Xikar directly?
Are Xikar Lighters Worth It
Over the years I have used several Xikar lighters and have always been impressed. I currently have a Xikar Tech, Allume, and an HP3. I have owned the Xikar Stratosphere and a Verno flat flame. In my opinion, Xikar lighters are totally worth it. I know they’re a little pricey, but their guarantee makes it worth it to me.
With the exception of my Allume, I haven’t had any problems with my Xikar lighters that I couldn’t fix myself. With that being said the problems that have popped up were the most common issues that all torch lighters have.
In the past couple of years, a few people have asked me what Xikar lighters are best. This is such a difficult question because they have a wide variety of lighters in many different styles. It’s impossible for me to recommend a specific lighter without knowing your idea of taste and style.
What Is Covered In The Xikar Guarantee?
The Xikar guarantee covers manufacturing defects. So if when your Xikar was there was a defect that made it out of the factory with it being noticed it’s covered. If you have an issue with your Xikar but aren’t sure if it’s covered then you should contact Xikar.
What Is Not Covered By Xikar
Xikar won’t cover any issues you have from regular use. If you run into any problems and aren’t sure if they are covered you should get a hold of Xikar.
You should also know that if you have a Xikar lighter confiscated by the TSA in the US or any other security service throughout the world is NOT covered by the Xikar guarantee.
Can The Guarantee Be Voided?
The guarantee will be voided by disassembling your lighter. It will also be voided by attempting to repair your lighter either by disassembling or by causing further damage during the attempted repair.
Do I have to register my Xikar lighter to use the Guarantee?
No. According to the Xikar website, you do not need to register your Xikar lighter.
How To Use The Xikar Guarantee
There are two ways to start the process. First, contact Xikar directly and they’ll guide you through what needs to happen to get your lighter fixed or replaced.
Second, create an account and register your lighter on the official Xikar site. Then log in to your account and follow the directions. Once that is completed you’ll receive an RMA number. This number is basically your confirmation number of the guarantee process. Make sure you hang on to it.
You’ll be getting an email shortly after you get your RMA number. In the email will be the steps for preparing your lighter for getting boxed up and where to ship it.
Once Xikar has received it, they’ll be sending a confirmation that they got it.
Xikar recommends that you insure and get tracking information when you send your lighter. As their website states; “XIKAR is not responsible for packages lost in transit to our facility.”
The site also states that the estimated time for turnaround is 4 to 6 weeks.
I should also note that Xikar mentions that before requesting guarantee service you should go through their how-to-fix section. This covers basic troubleshooting for your lighter. You can also check out our post on in-depth torch lighter troubleshooting.
How To Contact Xikar Directly
You can contact Xikar via email using info@xikar.com or you can call them in the USA using the phone number 1-866-676-7380. For customers from outside the USA, you need to use the phone number 1-816-474-7555.
Is Using The Xikar Guarantee Easy?
I have used the Xikar guarantee once and it wasn’t that big of a deal. Was it easy though? I can’t say it was easy, but by no means difficult. So I guess I can say it’s not really easy but not hard at all. Be prepared for emailing back and forth and a fairly long wait.
How I Choose Cigar Lighters Be It Xikar or Other Brands
A big reason I buy any lighter comes down to three things. First, does it look cool? I think the reason I do this is because, why have it if I don’t like the way it looks? I have bought way too many lighters that look cool but work like crap so that brings me to the next thing
Second, what are the reviews of real cigar aficionados? Many times cigar experts have good if not the best opinions when it comes to cigars as well as cigar accessories.
Third, does it have a guarantee? This is where it can get a little tricky. A lot of cheap lighters don’t have guarantees but may look cool. This for me is always a gamble. I might get a good lighter and I may not.
Most higher-end cigar lighters have a guarantee/ warranty and some are better than others. ST Dupont for example only has a 12-month warranty. Colibri offers a 2 warranty. Xikar on the other hand offers a lifetime guarantee though it is somewhat limited as I already discussed.
In Conclusion
Getting your lighter fixed or replaced by Xikar is not incredibly difficult, but does take a few steps. To ensure you don’t need to use the Xikar guarantee, hopefully, make sure you take care of your lighter by using quality butane and doing regular maintenance. For more information on the best possible butane for your lighter see our post on quality butane for a wide range of options.