Ronson Varaflame

The Ronson Varaflame, introduced in 1957, set new standards in lighter design. There was more than hint of jet age styling to this lighter.  The Ronson Varaflame VF500, above, cost 82/6 in 1960, around £60 in today's money.

The Ronson Varaflame was filled up from a single Butron multi-fill, which cost 3/6. It lasted a whole year. The Varaflame also boasted an adjustable flame.

A number of Ronson patents protected the design of the Varaflame, but it did not stop other manufacturers copying it. In the early 60s, Ronson had to take legal action to defend its patent against Japanese copies of the Varaflame. A 1962 ruling saw that Ichikawa Sangyo, Aiwa Kaguku, Toho Sangyo and Toyo Aerosol Kogyo agreed to stop production of lighters that infringed Ronson's patent.

Ronson Varaflame Premier

The Ronson Varaflame Premier was also launched in 1957. A similar model is available from Ronson today. The modern Ronson Varaflame Premier is available in three versions: there is a chrome model with a gold V, very similar to the 1950s original; there is a version that can be customised with a monogram; and a 50th anniversary gold model.

For more on the modern Ronson Varaflame Premier, visit www.ronson.com.

Ronson Varaflame Comet

In 1965 Ronson introduced the Varaflame Comet. The Comet was a light weight lighter made in plastic and available in a number of different colours. This model, left, was made in the 70s, it is a chrome version of the original design.

The Ronson Varaflame Comet also still available. It is retailed as the 'Super Comet' and available in brushed chrome or black finishes.

Buy Ronson Varaflame

There is a good market for Ronson Varaflame lighters on eBay. Prices vary from £10 or £20 to up to £100 depending on condition and whether the lighter is working or not.

Ronson Varaflame on eBay

Your comments on the Ronson Varaflame

"I just purchased an old Ronson Veraflame Premier and I'm having some problems with not getting any gas flow. I've tried using another lighter to ignite the flame and no go. I have cleaned the gas jet as well. Any suggestions would be very helpful. Thanks! " Phil

"Hi. Do you know of anywhere I can purchase the burners, valves and valve replacement tools for the varaflames. Just cant seem to locate any. Your help would be much appreciated. Thanks. Carl." Carl T

"Where can I find the screw and spring combination that holds the flint for my chrome Varaflame? Thanks" Peter McGlone

"Hello I wonder if you know anywhere that I can purchase the filler valves for the varaflame Thanks Richard" Richard Davies

"Can you please advise me where I can purchase flame and filler valves and fitting tool in order to service Ronson Varaflame Lighter With thanks, D. Foster." Dennis Foster

"Hi,as with another customer ,where can I purchase inlet and burner valves for my ronson varaflames? thanks." garry sives

"i have the ronsom varaflame premier and i take out the parts to clean and now i have problem to put them back , can you help me please with any way ?? please answer me , i am from cyprus and if you want i can send it to you to fix me please" antonis fotiou

"hi love your lighters got one from my mother years ago belonged to my dead dad sadly im having a few probs with it could you tell me if its possible to get the tools to try and fix it also have another 2 i got on ebay but having the same problem with them thanks" frank holden

"Salts of Coventry are a Ronson service centre, they will do a complete overhaul including any new parts and post it back to you for about 24. Their phone number is 02476-223475." Steve Harris

"i own a vara-flame lighter like the one above but with tight lines running through the body i wouldnt mind knowing how old or age bracket i can put the lighter in please help many thanks Andy" Andrew Gregory

"I tore a wall out in my basement and found two Ronson lighters. One is a Varaflame and the other is a Varaflame premier. The premier is in very good condition the other needs a litTle TLC, not sure how long they were there but believe it or not one actually still had gas in it but the flint stick is missing. Does anyone know of a place that services these kind of lighters?" Larry Champion

"How to get flints to my very old ronson" harald solen

"i purchased a new unused ronson varaflame from a collectors shop in wolverhampton with emblem land rover i was lead to believe this lighter was given to a leaving member of staff my problem is i cannot get it to work i have inserted flint with much difficulty but now wheel will not strike flint" e doherty

"i would like to know if i can get it fixed" alan sinise

" I have a Ronson varaflame Premier Mk II 57019. Since I wish to sell it can you kindly let me know the market value? Than you in advance for your kind reply" Manlio Ferrarini

Hi Manlio, Ronson Varaflames go on eBay for £20 to £50. More depends on condition than specific models. Retrowow.

"Hi, i have a Ronson Varaflame Jupiter. It is a table lighter, the top is chrome like any Varaflame and the botton is a big black rounded kind of bakelite. Can not find any information on the web for this model, never seen one for sale on ebay. Can you give me information on this model, are they worth something? Thanks" pierre durocher

Hi Pierre, I've not come across this model before. However, the top looks very similar to a wooden table lighter Ronson made in the 60s. They produced a variety of table lighters in different designs. Some are rarer than others. Perhaps someone else can shed any light. Retrowow

"I would like to get an idea of what my lighter is worth. It is 'Varaflame Bell' fashioned by Ronson and made in the USA. I think it needs a flint." lynne haupt

Hi Lynne, I've not come across this particular model. Have a look on eBay for something similar. If you are an eBay member, you can search completed listings. Retrowow

"As with some another customer I do need inlet and burner valves for some of my Ronson Varaflames. Can you please let me know where can I purchase these items? Regards " Gianni Rocco

"hi,have got a ronson varaflame,chome diacut with unused engraving plate.vf-216.open to best offer. (njbthebatch@hotmail.co.uk)" nick

"hey ...my godmother gave me a Ronson lighter ....is lookz like an antique ...i pretty sure it still workz ....inside the box Say's "by appointment to HRH THE DUKE EDINSURGH"...WAT does it mean ...and how much is it worth ??" alex 28/06/2010

"i'm interessed" chris leenaars 04/08/2010

"send me an email: chrisleenaars@telfort.nl" chris leenaars 04/08/2010

"have got a varaflame, with a gold v, serial number on bottom is RD DE8, is it worth anything, phone 01495 247577" david goff 05/09/2010

"hi i have had a ronson spode 1958 table lighter in box with all condiments for 20 years now .i can see these are becoming fashionable .the glaze pic on front is of buckingham palace and queen elizabeth statue ..i have researched everywhere and cant find any search results on value .please help ..i know of only one in blue glaze sold 5 years ago for 150 pound but decided to keep mine till now .it works and in box mint condition thanks" gary fortey 24/10/2010

"I've had great success in using a pinless scroll saw blade and pipe cleaners for clearing Ronson flint tubes. The blades are thin enough to insert from the topside clearing most obstructions. The Varaflame models have a straighter flint tube and can be partially drilled out with a 1/16" bit Caution! If you see brass shavings you have drilled too far! I've got about 85% almost 1000 ronson lighters working again without removing the striker wheel using the thin blades. On straight flint tubes (not curved tubes like many ronsons are) use high speed blades made for drilling hardened still they will drill through any flint. Many of the rubber seals on butane lighters can be reconditioned by removing the jets and placing a tiny drop of oil on the rubber seal. If the seal is too dry rotted heating and airconditioning suppliers sell o-ring kits the rings aren't exactly the same but will work. Unfortunately with these kits you will only use less than 10% of the o-rings they provide. They also sell orifice tools that are great for clearing clogged jets. A little patience clearing the flint tubes will easily get most Ronson lighters working again without removing the flint wheels by using the above methods. Good luck!" Richard Kuhl 10/11/2010

"Hi,i have a ronson varaflame premier.
When it lights the flame burns down in seconds.
It is holding gas ok.

Any ideas what it could be ??" los lobo 03/03/2011

"I have just acquired a lovely ronson comet lighter and am having trouble filling it with gas. can you tell me what adapter i should be using on my ronson gas can" Neil Culverhouse 05/04/2011

"I,have a ronson varaflame and it holds gas with no leaks,but the flame burns away in seconds.
Anyone know why this is ?" Bob Byrne 10/04/2011

"Can anyone help me? I have a square pewter based Ronson table lighter which needs rebuilding.I have most of the parts.The gas tank is cylindrical, which slides snuggly into the pewter base.I do not know what it is called.All I know is I bought it for my father in 1976 as a retirement present.It contained a square piece of stainless steel to accomodate an engraved inscription, but I lost that.The actual 'firing' mechanism is identical to the normal varaflame pocket mechanism.'Storm master' springs to mind.The flint wheel assembly needs installing since those are the missing parts.I do have the main two components - the pivoting front extinguisher/gas needle valve cover/gas shut off activator." John Giffard 11/04/2011

"Hi all, i have been collecting ronson lighters for many years, but i have decided to sell the majority of my collection as one lot, this includes table lighters,pencillighters,varachem pen lighter, many boxed working varaflames,many lighters for spares, total is around 250 ronsons, to be sold as a single lot.
If anyone is interested i would be happy to supply images." chris bradley 03/09/2011

"hi i have a ronson variflame sorry i know thats not howyou spell it but i just baught it and when i fill it with gas it just comes out the same hole so if that link fails can i fix it please let me know" quentin 20/09/2011

"hey can anyone sell me a box of spare parts" quentin 20/09/2011

"I have a 1957 ronson varaflame premier case and all were can i get an adapter so i can fill it with fuel and what kind of butane shuld use and im pretty sure it works its in great condition and i need a diagrahm of its inner parts?" jason 27/09/2011

"i also have a ronson varaflame windlite so what hapend to them?" jason 28/09/2011

"sorry I forgot to put a , between all and were. and what i ment by what kind of butane is what grade of butane I should use any help will be very much apreciated and thanks for any help you give me." jason 28/09/2011

"Hi, i am looking to sell my late fathers Ronson Varaflame. It looks like the premier one produced in 1957. My father passed away in the early 80's and i remember him having this lighter in the 60's. Please could you give me any more info and or price. It is in good condition and full working order.

Thanks Mike" mike 06/12/2011

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