IPCPR 2018: XIKAR

While XIKAR was acquired by Quality Importers in January, the two companies had separate yet adjacent booth spaces this year, with the XIKAR booth retaining its familiar design of branded corner pieces, open middle sections, numerous retail-style glass display cases and sections of tables and chairs for retailers to place their orders. Next year will be different and the duo will combine into one singular space.

As we’ve seen in recent years, XIKAR has been steadily building its High Performance line, and this year is no different. The company also unveiled a handful of gift sets, some interesting new Xi1 cutter designs, a humidor and its first flat flame and electronic lighter offerings.

XIKAR HP3

Last year, XIKAR released the quad-flame HP4, and this year they add a triple flame version, the HP3. The two outer jets are angled by eight degrees towards the center jet, which produces a strong and focused flame. The body has been designed with what the company describes as “sharp lines and aggressive curves” that enhance ergonomics and grip. The HP3 is being offered in four finishes, Burnt Yellow, Daytona Red, Matte Black and G2, which is a gunmetal grey color. When looking at it, it had me thinking of a radically updated take on the Trezo, one of my favorite lighters of the past decade and had me wondering if that might be going away; it’s not, from what I was told.

• MSRP: $99.99
• Production: Regular Production
• Launch Date: July 2018

XIKAR Humidor

The company has a new 75-count humidor it is rolling out this summer, a limited production piece available in either a natural walnut or jet black finish. It features LED lights in the inner lip to provide a soft, subtle glow, while the feet lift the unit up just a touch, something not seen on most humidors on the market.

• MSRP: $299
• Production: 250 per color for the U.S. market.
• Launch Date: July 2018

XIKAR Lighter Tool

The company is beginning to send out a branded screwdriver and lighter bleeding tool to help retailers perform some basic service on lighters instead of having to send them in for a repair at the company’s offices, since many times a simply bleeding of the lighter can fix the problem. It will also be available to consumers in the future. The screwdriver end features a removable bit with both a Phillips and flathead option.

• MSRP: n/a
• Production: n/a
• Launch Date: July 2018

XIKAR Turismo

This double flame lighter comes in an all-metal body highlighted by a pair of grip-enhancing side panels as well a slightly more recessed flame to help improve wind resistance. It’s offered in four color finishes, matte black, matte red, matte blue and matte gray, as well as being part of RoMa Craft’s accessories collection with the corresponding branding.

• MSRP: $59.99
• Production: Regular Production
• Launch Date: July 2018

XIKAR Verano

One of the firsts to be found in the XIKAR booth was the Verano, the company’s first flat flame lighter. While not a new technology by any means, it will be interesting to see XIKAR’s spin on it, as they proclaim it offers the power of a double flame, the breadth of a triple, and the fuel consumption of a single. It is being offered in four colorways: black, silver, G2 and vintage bronze.

• MSRP: $79.99
• Production: Regular Production
• Launch Date: July 2018

XIKAR XFlame

For a company known for its slogan of being “the best thing to happen to cigars since fire,” the XFlame is a notable departure from its traditional offerings. Originally developed under the header of the Fuego Robusto USB Lighter, XIKAR entered into a licensing and manufacturing agreement for the flameless lighter and now has it in its portfolio. It can handle cigars up to a 62 ring gauge by way of a truly windproof heating element and grate used to warm the foot and begun the combustion process in a manner that harkens back to the car lighters of yesteryear. The heat source can reach upwards of 500 degrees, and when a charge is needed, simply connect a standard USB cord to a power source.

• MSRP: $69.95; replacement coils, $19.95
• Production: Regular Production
• Launch Date: August 2018

XIKAR Purofine High Performance Butane – New Size, Price

The company has long offered smaller sizes of its butane and this year the Purofine High Performance Butane gets a 1.9-ounce option. Additionally, the larger size is getting a price reduction of three dollars, going from $12.99 to $9.95, something made possible by the acquisition of XIKAR by Quality Importers. The fuel is designed to perform better at altitudes but in particular at higher elevations, while also burning cleaner and hotter than standard butane, which the company says can give some new life to older lighters.

• MSRP: 8-ounce can, $9.95; 1.9-ounce can, $5.95
• Production: Regular Production
• Launch Date: July 2018

XIKAR XO Cutters – New Finishes

The company has a handful of new finishes available for its XO cutter, which debuted in 2016 and has already added a number since the first batch. This time, the company incorporates woods into the handles, including a redwood with silver blades option ($120) or black blades ($130) spalted tamarind with black blades ($130). There is also a polished silver ($120), black honeycomb ($120) or polished chrome with black blades ($150). Everything else about the cutter stays the same; a double guillotine style with a planetary geared cutting system. It can handle the caps of up to 70 ring gauge cigars, while it can cut up to a 64 ring gauge cigar in half.

• MSRP: $120-$175
• Production: Regular production
• Launch Date: July 2018

XIKAR Don’t Tread On Me Desktop Set

One of two new sets that incorporate the “Don’t Tread On Me” flag design and which builds on the company’s use of the design, this features an Xi2 cutter and Linea lighter packed in a 25-count glass top desktop humidor.

• MSRP: $119.99
• Production: 500 sets
• Launch Date: September 2018

XIKAR Don’t Tread On Me Travel Set

The other of the two new sets that incorporate the “Don’t Tread On Me” flag design, this features an Xi2 cutter and Linea lighter packed in a five-count Cigar Caddy travel humidor.

• MSRP: $79.99
• Production: 500 sets
• Launch Date: September 2018

XIKAR Las Calavas Cutters

A quintet of Xi1 cutters that feature Dia de Los Muertos-themed art, each priced at $79.99. The available colors are listed as black, silver, black vivid, silver enlightened and silver bandido.

• MSRP: $79.99
• Production: 500 sets
• Launch Date: September 2018

XIKAR Ultimate Tactical Set

This pairs a XIKAR knife with a tactical pen and puts them in a box for easy gifting or storage.

• MSRP: $99.99
• Production: 500 sets
• Launch Date: September 2018

XIKAR Urban Force Gift Set

This includes a Xi2 cutter and Linea lighter in a black, white and gray digital camouflage pattern, and is presented in a metal gift box.

• MSRP: $79.99
• Production: 500 sets
• Launch Date: September 2018

Image courtesy of XIKAR.