I think I got a dud Xikar lighter

[Gophernut]

I have the Element as well. Have had it for about 3 years now. The only issue I ever had is when I put Ronson fuel in because that is all I had. It clogged it up. I purged it, and cleaned it out really well with compressed air, and using nothing but the proper butane, it has worked wonderfully since then. I have dunked it in the lake accidentally a couple of time, and it works great. Once it dries out... I love the punch that is installed in the end as well. I have had to send my cutter into them a couple of different times. Once it just got stuck and wouldn't open. The other time, I dropped it and it broke. Both times I got either the cutter or a replacement cutter back very quickly. Can't say enough about the customer service they have provided me.