Polar

EckDesign describes Polar as the world's first open-frame lighter, a claim attributed to the maker. The design draws on the seafaring spirit of 15th-century sailors and the myth of Prometheus, and the company pitches it less as an ignition tool than as a long-term companion for travel and everyday carry.

Sealed body, open frame

The maker's starting point is a familiar complaint: thin aluminum lighter cases let fuel evaporate. Polar is instead CNC-machined from a solid block of titanium or brass, with every interface sealed. EckDesign says this raises fuel efficiency to over 90%, compared with around 30% for typical lighters. The tank holds up to 5ml, which the maker puts at 1.7 times a conventional lighter, and it claims a single fill lasts up to 20 days, or 18 refills a year versus 91 for an ordinary lighter that needs topping up every 4 days.

The exposed frame is meant to show off the machining while simplifying maintenance. According to the maker, removing a few screws gives access to the interior for flint changes and refuelling. Those screws are custom-made titanium parts, CNC-machined in-house despite the added cost and complexity.

Compass, mirror and modules

Polar ships ready to use with the lighter and a compass core. The liquid-filled compass is inspected before, during and after assembly, the maker says, and it rotates 360 degrees and folds. The compass module is interchangeable, and a hidden mirror is included for grooming or signalling with reflected sunlight.

• Optional modules: loupe, watch and waterproof capsule
• Materials: grade 5 titanium and brass, CNC-machined and hand-finished
• Versions: stonewashed titanium, black titanium and brass
• Each unit engraved with its year of manufacture

The titanium versions are positioned as light and modern, while the brass model is expected to develop a patina with use.