Today, we review the iconic Ligne 2 (French for Line 2) lighter that is a part of the 1872 Monogram Collection from S.T. Dupont. The Ligne 2 is a dual soft-flame lighter that many consider to be the company’s signature product. Ligne 2 goes back to 1973 and was created by S.T. Dupont’s André Dupont. The lighter is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship found in various models. Furthermore, most of these lighters produce a distinctive “ping” sound when opened. Since its launch, the Ligne 2 lighter has been featured in numerous regular production runs and limited editions, providing consumers with a range of finishes to choose from. One notable offering is the 1872 Monogram Collection. This particular collection introduces a new regular production item from S.T. Dupont, with a special focus on the Ligne 2 lighter finished in elegant Palladium.
The “1872” in the 1872 Monogram refers to the year that S.T. Dupont founder Simon Tissot-Dupont founded his operation. While 1872 is in the name, the Monogram Collection is a throwback to the company’s designs of the 1950s. This collection is highlighted by a pattern of parallelograms, some of which contain delicate striping patterns. These intricate patterns are known as guilloche.
- Biggy
- Twiggy
- Ligne 2
- Le Grand
- Cigar Cutter
- Ashtray
- Cigar Case
Not all 1872 Monogram Collection uses engraving, but the Ligne 2 and Le Grand lighters employ it. The 1872 Collection offers three finishes on the Ligne 2 lighter:
- Palladium
- Yellow Gold
- Black / Yellow Gold
S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 (Line 2) 1872 Monogram Palladium Lighter – Accessory Review
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: 1 15/16 x 2 7/16 x 1 7/16 inches
Weight: 5 ounces
Finish: Black Lacquer/Gold
Price: $1,450.00/SRP
APPEARANCE
The guilloche pattern of the parallelograms and strips adorns the front and back of the lighter. The side of the lighter has a roller wheel that is used to ignite the lighter.
The lid has the S.T. Dupont logo engraved on the top.
OPERATION
Before you use the Ligne 2 lighter, start by opening the lid at the top. The best way to do this is by pressing your thumb upward on the side of the lid, which will give you the signature “ping” sound. If you pull the lid open, it will mute this distinctive sound.
Once the lid is open, you can ignite the lighter by rolling the wheel with your thumb in a clockwise direction. As you do this, a striker wheel will come into contact with a flint, generating a spark that ignites the released butane gas. This process results in two soft flames merging to create a larger one. You can either close the lid or blow out the flame to extinguish it. You can see this in action in the video below.
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To refill the lighter, start by turning it upside down to access the filling valve located on the bottom. On the right side, you’ll find a valve that is sealed with a metal cap featuring a small handle. With your thumb, pop up this handle and twist off the cap. The refilling process is quite straightforward: insert the nozzle of your butane refill canister into the valve and press down for a few seconds. You might want to repeat this a couple of times until you notice gas escaping, indicating that the lighter is successfully filled.
The flame can be adjusted by pulling up the handle on the left side of the lighter. Turning the handle clockwise will increase the flame, and turning it counterclockwise will decrease it. Once the flame is ideal, push the handle back down.
EVALUATION
Positives
- Igniting the Ligne 2 couldn’t be easier. You must put a slight effort into the rollerball, but I like how it won’t ignite accidentally.
- The precision of the flame adjustment is perfect. I love the use of the handle. As someone who prefers jet-flame lighters, I really appreciate this and how it covers the refill valve.
- This is a compact lighter. It can easily fit in a pocket.
- This is a beautiful luxury item. It’s like a fine piece of jewelry, and you can easily see the craftsmanship of this lighter.
- The ping sound is addictive. You will want to do it over and over again, and you will want to use the thumb motion to get the sound each and every time.
Negatives
- The surface of this lighter seems easily prone to scratching. I’m not sure this is a lighter I would carry around unless in a protective sleeve.
- The flint in the lighter needs to be replaced based on how frequently you use it. Most people I spoke with mentioned that they change it about once every one to three years with daily use. During the 30-day evaluation of this lighter, I decided I should replace the flint. While the written instructions provided were somewhat difficult to follow, I took the lighter to my local retailer (thank you, Craig Cass), who then demonstrated how to change the flint. Afterward, I was able to do it on my own. Additionally, there are plenty of YouTube videos available that can guide you through the process.
- Don’t try to use this as a pipe lighter. Turning the lighter upside down will not extinguish the flame, and it can burn you.
Other Evaluation Notes
- S.T. Dupont recommends using their butane for compatibility and optimum performance for the Ligne 2. I did not attempt to deviate from S.T. Dupont’s recommendations here.
- There is no fuel tank indicator. I’m not the biggest fan of fuel tank indicators unless they are easy to read.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As I typically do with accessory reviews, I used the S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 lighter daily for about 30 days. Throughout this period, the lighter proved to be durable and performed consistently. It is a high-quality lighter that is easy to operate. I particularly love the palladium finish on the model I have. However, as mentioned earlier, it is prone to scratching and tends to show fingerprints, so you’ll want to wipe it clean regularly. Another point to consider is that the fuel tank is on the smaller side. Ultimately, there are trade-offs in size for a compact unit.
I should also note that I prefer jet flame lighters over soft flame lighters because I find jet flames to be more precise and require less maintenance. However, I do appreciate how a soft flame can light up a cigar effectively. That said, when it comes to soft flame lighters, the Ligne 2 is the best model available. It’s the one soft flame lighter I wouldn’t hesitate to use. Still, it won’t convince me to choose it over a high-end jet flame lighter of the same caliber.
In terms of the price point, this is a $1,450 lighter. Regarding products like Ligne 2, I put this in the same category as a Rolex watch. It’s an ultra-premium product with the highest degree of craftsmanship. While you will have to protect the surface, I love the palladium finish and the 1872 Monogram design. This one gets a “splurge” recommendation from me regarding buying.
Photo/Video Credits: Cigar Coop
Source: Lighter for this assessment provided on loan by S.T. Dupont for evaluation purposes. The unit is the property of S.T. Dupont.
