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We used one years ago in the scouts, and I once saw it "flare up" due to not being properly up to pressure.    Wouldn't touch one with an extra long tentpole!  If I had one I wouldn't even give it away to someone I did not like!

There are lots of rechargeable and even clock-work wind up alternatives these days, so there is no need to carry flammable liquids etc.

Everyone to their own I suppose.

The big difference between a Tilley and a Coleman seems to be that you don't need to pre-heat the vapourising tube in the Coleman whereas you do (with a meths-burner) on the Tilley.  (Does Paraffin have a higher ignition point than petrol?)  Also, if you run out of fuel it is probably easier to pop down to the local garage for some unleaded than get hold of paraffin. (Not that I use unleaded with all the added carcinogens!)

Having said that, I remember with fondness the two Tilleys we used in our Scout Troop; fine lanterns indeed.

Breezeblock, have you really had problems with the Coleman mantles?  How frequently and after how much use?  Would you say that it's down to them somehow waring out or just more prone to knocks?  I've had my Coleman for over a year now and, although I admit it is not used very frequently, I've not had to change the mantle once.

Simple instructions to light a Tilley_

Ensure there is parafin in the tank and that the pump knurl has been tightened to maintain pressure in the tank when pumped. Make sure the on off valve is turned off. Pump the lamp about 20 strokes. soak the preheater in meths, attach to the vapouriser tube just under the glass globe and light it to heat the tube. When all the meths has burned off the vapouriser and mantle will be warm. I then resoak the preheater and light it again to ensure that the vapouriser tube and mantle are really hot. As the meths starts to fade, turn the valve on and the mantle should then light giving off a bright glow. Once the mantle is lit you need to give the pump another 40-50 strokes to build up to full pressure.

Many people do not like the Tilley as Cardad said they can flare up if not lit properly. This is always due to the fact that the vapouriser tube is not hot enough which is why I use the preheater twice. The Tilley works on vapourised parafin so if the tube is not hot enough it will just flare. 

We use Colemans when camping with our Scouts and I use Tilley's when camping with the family. I confess the Colemans give off more light but the Tilley has a glow and aroma that the Coleman does'nt have.