First Impressions: PDW TiFS Lighter

Every now and then a piece of gear is announced that just catches your eye. Maybe it has the “cool” factor, an impressive design, or just fills a void in your daily carry or kit. The “TiFS” (Titanium Fire Starter) from Prometheus Design Werx definitely checks all of those boxes!

The TiFS arrives in a small metal tin, similar in size to something you might find mints in. In fact, the entire package is so light, you might be fooled into thinking its empty when you open your mailbox. (No doubt that’s from the weight savings of titanium.) On opening the container, you find the TiFS lighter, spare flints, rubber o-rings, and an extra wick (not shown). Of course, the metal tin would always make a good starting point for a mini survival kit, too!

The capsule lighter is precision-milled from 6AL-4V titanium, and features a loop on the top for attaching a lanyard or keychain, and unscrews into two halves. The bottom half houses the lighter insert, and once pulled apart, functions pretty much like a miniaturized Zippo. There is a small felt cover that gets lifted up, revealing batting that is then soaked by the user in lighter fluid (or even unleaded auto fuel, white gas, jet fuel, etc. per PDW specs.).

Once you’re done filling the lighter (be careful not to overfill, ask me how I know, LOL), simply slide the brass insert back into the bottom housing. Make sure it’s nice and snug, wipe up any excess fuel, and you’re ready to go! A couple of spins of the striker wheel and poof, you’ve got fire!

The TiFS is a great little capsule lighter, and enables you to carry around a fire-making tool that is both reusable and sturdy. It takes up very little space or weight (only 1 oz. / 28g), and the fluid should last a lot longer than traditional lighters due to the integral o-ring (will check back with this info later). Based on how it performed right out of the box, I have no hesitation whatsoever putting it into my EDC rotation!