Anyone Like Zippo's?

Razor

Gold Member
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Dec 8, 1999
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I would kinda like to start collecting them. I have three now. Would they work good in the woods? I remember their was a threat some time back, but I can't find it.
 
I like them too, but i don't fnd them to be the best for the woods for a couple reasons. One, they cant get wet well, if they do they are done (oops :)). Second, they slowly leak so they arent the best for survival imo.
 
theres zillions of zippos out there. i know that some are " collectable ", but few and far between. kinda like Case knives.
 
Love zippo's for general (edc) type carry, but I'd make sure to have backup methods of fire starting in a BOB or survival kit. Throw a misch metal rod and a fire piston in there for good measure.

I'd also look at some good high pressure butane lighters instead of the zippo. As mentioned they slowly leak fuel and are worthless if you get them soaked.
 
I like them in general, but i've had mine fail many times from being a little wet, too much wind, or just being out of fuel. From what i've heard the older zippos are more reliable, but disposable butane lighters are better.
 
I love Zippos - but I wouldn't trust one in the woods. I still take one, occasionally, but they are useless in my opinion.
 
They fail.

Either they run out of fuel, always without warning, the flint runs down and pops out, or they get soaked. You can carry a spy capsule with extra fluid, keep an extra flint in the cotton wadding but they will still fail.

....despite all that, I still carry one most every day.
 
Everything fails eventually. I carry one in the winter because of butane pressure considerations. Yes, I know you can carry it in your armpit, or jock pocket :eek: but I like my Zippo.

lighterx3.jpg


Put a ranger band around the joint and the fuel lasts a long time. I think somebody (maybe Rock6) did a test awhile ago. The ranger band also helps the fire process.

Like Ramm said, keep an extra flint or two in the cotton wadding, and, how much does a small can of lighter fluid weigh?

Having said that, I never go anywhere without more than one method of making fire.

Doc
 
I don't smoke but I carry a zippo around with me. Comes in handy now and then. A disposable butane lighter would probably be more practical but I just prefer the old zippo way of doing things. I like the mechanics of it and its relative simplicity and so on. It's not an essential item for me so I can indulge my preference for old mechanical things. I like old steam engines too. :)
 
When I used to fly (and used to smoke), we never carried Zippo's - we carried matches. If they leak on your skin (they always did at altitude) they will leave a bad burn before you discover it. They are not suitable for survival.
 
The ranger bands help. However, I also carry one of Zippo's o-ring sealed aluminum backup fuel capsules. [They can also carry a spare flint, if you don't like storing a couple inside your Zippo.] These Zippo fuel containers cost way too much at around $10 but they do hold fuel well without leaking.

DancesWithKnives
 
i like zippos i have a couple but here is my favorite one

sharp003.jpg

Here I am in my pedantic mode ...

The translation on the top is incorrect. What is stamped on the top of the zippo should be:

[SIZE=+2]... ..--.. --- ..--.. ... ..--.. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]

:)

[/SIZE]
 
I dont think its the zippo so much as the fluid just isnt like it used to be. Only lasts a couple weeks. Even if sealed up good. I only live about 40miles from the factory in bradford. The Zippo museum is really cool and of course they have case knifes also.
 
I dont think its the zippo so much as the fluid just isnt like it used to be. Only lasts a couple weeks. Even if sealed up good. I only live about 40miles from the factory in bradford. The Zippo museum is really cool and of course they have case knifes also.

zippo owns case that why that have case knives thier
 
I like my Zippo, my father found it in an antique store in Mississippi and brought it home. I think it is from 1953.
I lost the one I had before, but i remember jumping into a pool at a party with it in my pocket, taking it out, and lighting it first try. I probably got lucky, but I was impressed at the time.
 
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