Bic Trick

Guyon

Guyon

Biscuit Whisperer
Super Mod
Joined
Mar 15, 2000
Messages
45,835
I recall picking up this tip here at BFC, but I don't remember specifically whom I should credit. Anyway, I thought I'd pass it along again in case some folks here haven't seen it.

Many of us carry mini-Bics or Bics in our kit as a first layer of fire starting gear. One danger with this tool, however, is that the butane release button can get depressed when in tow, and you can lose valuable gas.

A solution is to place something under the button. I went down to my local hardware store and picked up some O-rings that fit pretty tightly around the lighter and that are thick enough to keep the button from depressing even when pressure is applied. When I want to ignite, I just slide the O-ring down and flick away.

bic1.jpg


Of course, you always need a backup IMO. Matches, hot spark, firesteel, etc.

bic2.jpg
 
Cool idea with the O ring. I usually just break off the childproof thingy and crimp it under the button. I like the idea of the o ring better!
 
Nice! I use a small zip tie on mine, same concept, different means to an end... I have some glow-in-the-dark O rings that would be cool for that. If you set the lighter down in the dark you could shine a light around for a few seconds and when you turned it off you would see the glow and find it.
 
I like the idea of the glow-in-dark ring. Where'd you find those?

All my medium-sized outdoor rigs in Spec-Ops sheaths contain some sort of Leatherman, a lighter, a firesteel, and some firestraws. With everything crammed in the front pocket, the O-ring really does help prevent accidental discharge of the butane.

RWstripped3.jpg
 
Thats cool guyon. Can you also slip the o-ring at an angle to hold the fuel depressed and keep the lighter going? Just a thought.
 
kgd said:
Thats cool guyon. Can you also slip the o-ring at an angle to hold the fuel depressed and keep the lighter going? Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Nope. Tried it just now. The back side of the O-ring just slides up the lighter.
 
Yeah, that's a good trick. I use rubber bands for this since I usually don't have o-rings around.

I also take bright/hot pink flaggers tape and wrap many layers around my bic. This way it both makes my bic easily findable in my pack or if dropped, and it gives me a convenient supply of flagging tape. :thumbup:
 
Guyon, You can find the GITD O rings at Lighhound http://www.lighthound.com/GITD_c_70.html . I just tried a couple different sizes and the 1/2 works great on a full sized Bic. They are thinner than the one in your pic, but snug up under the button pretty well and I tried pressing on it with no gas hissing out. They've got some other good stuff as well, I order from them all the time. If you just want one to try, PM me your address and I'll throw one in an envelope for ya.
 
Cool stuff.

Experience would have probably had to teach me that because as retentive as I am on some things, I don't think I'd have thought about that.

Thanks.

To add: I like the ring/rubber band idea more than the zip ties. Zip ties would require cutting which could be difficult given cold, wet, or separation from cutting tools. I know my luck: if I had to cut a zip tie, Murphy would step up and kick me and I'd damage the lighter or something. YMMV
 
Last edited:
pretty cool... i have been doing that for years... my dad said he used to it when he was in the military.. i normally use small rubber bands or zip ties....

i like the glow in the dark o-ring idea...:thumbup:
 
I like the eye bolt through the bottom of the Zippo!

Where do you get the Zippo-like case for the Mini-Bic?
 
cmdr249 said:
Zip ties would require cutting which could be difficult given cold, wet, or separation from cutting tools. I know my luck: if I had to cut a zip tie, Murphy would step up and kick me and I'd damage the lighter or something. YMMV
Click to expand...

Not really- The zip tie doesn't have to be extremely tight. I use 4" ties and get 'em snug enough so they aren't going to slide off accidentally. To remove the tie, you just have to push it up an over the top. No cutting required and can be replaced.
 
That's a great trick. I've been doing that with all of my Bic lighters since I read about it here a good while back. If you're a smoker, and use Bic lighters- it will greatly extend the life of your lighters. I used the same lighter for almost two years- with an O ring keeping the button from being pressed by moving around in my pocket. Actually, I still have the lighter, and it still works. It just got knocked out of the rotation a while ago by a different one.
 
Don Rearic said:
I like the eye bolt through the bottom of the Zippo!

Where do you get the Zippo-like case for the Mini-Bic?
Click to expand...

The Zippo-like case for the Bic was purchased in a gas station, although I've seen them in other places.

As far as the eye bolt in the Zippo goes, the lighter was originally set up as a table lighter, mounted on a base. A friend who quit smoking asked if I would like it. I said sure but was afraid the fuel would deplete too fast because of the hole in the bottom :(, so I didn't do anything with it for awhile.

I did have one of the sportsman Zippos with the lanyard attached to the lid pivot hinge which was too light duty and broke. So 2 + 2 ................... It works very well and I have no fear of losing it :rolleyes: Also, I haven't found the addition of the eye bolt has caused any fuel loss concerns.

Since I'm yammering on about the Zippo, there's one other thing I want to add. If fuel depletion is a big concern to anyone, why not carry a small can of fuel? It weighs a lot less than most multitools and represents a huge amount of fires.

Doc
 
Thanks for posting this G :thumbup:
Don't have an O ring handy, but I slapped a rubber band on the one I carry - great idea.

sp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top