Sure, why not? It's just a tool. Like a drill or a shovel.
Now if it were my foursevens Palidin prototype given to me by PK? Heck no. Be it my favorite daily carry...pffft no big deal if I don't get it back.
In life you get back what you give. And being stinjy with a simple flashlight means somewhere down the roads life will pay you back in spades or duds depending on the kharma you've accumulated.
I've seen many things way more important than my flashlight walk away. Was I happy about it? Certainly not. Yet down the road a ways I received much better in return.
I've also learned things like wearing my stainless steel wedding band when going to sketchy places where a dark alley might lead to being robbed. Or carrying a light or knife that if it were to get away would be no big deal.
Ah, so once again, I agree with Mr. Fixer :thumbsup:
I don't have any tritium, or jewel encrusted lights, so I'd lend them, no problem. Other than the D2 on my key-ring I don't recall the last time I loaned a light. The need just doesn't come up.
Oh... yes I do. About a month ago, a young man approached me in my driveway asking if I lost a dog. He had seen one and was concerned that it might get hit by a car. It was dark, and our streets are unlit, and there are no sidewalks. He was going to go door to door, alerting people that their dog may have escaped, OR he was going to see if he could find the dog. At any rate, all he was using was his cell phone light.
I gave him a Defiant triple that I powered with an adapter and an 18650. I asked that when he was done with it to put it into the mailbox. Apparently, he did. A few days later, it dawned on me to look and there it was, deep inside the box.
When I loan a tool of any particular value, I may give it with the admonishment: "you know... that when you borrow a man's tools, you return them in the same condition, or better." This generally works.