One essential piece of gear

Lee D said:
I don’t smoke, but I think a necessary piece of gear is a lighter...it sucks to be cold lol and a warm fire can save your life.
Click to expand...

With the o-rings they claim this one won’t dry up like my zippo often does. American made, light weight, and it holds a lot of fluid, so it should be good for quite a while. Replaced the Bic I always carry in a coat pocket.

 
Lee D said:
With the o-rings they claim this one won’t dry up like my zippo often does. American made, light weight, and it holds a lot of fluid, so it should be good for quite a while. Replaced the Bic I always carry in a coat pocket.

Click to expand...

Why no link for us to find out more about it?
 
Lee D said:
With the o-rings they claim this one won’t dry up like my zippo often does. American made, light weight, and it holds a lot of fluid, so it should be good for quite a while. Replaced the Bic I always carry in a coat pocket.

Click to expand...
I don’t want to derail my own thread, but I have a couple of these and love them. I found that the o-rings work really well, but if you REALLY want it to be sealed up good, put a Ranger band around the outside. Pictured here. I also put a small zip-tie around the band to keep it from shifting. To use I just roll the band down over top the zip-tie.
8859F62A-F44C-4F06-ACB1-F6E6AC19E826.jpeg
 
Lee D said:
With the o-rings they claim this one won’t dry up like my zippo often does. American made, light weight, and it holds a lot of fluid, so it should be good for quite a while. Replaced the Bic I always carry in a coat pocket.

Click to expand...
Put that lighter and a Bic in your bag and leave them for 2 years. See which one still has fuel then.

If you fuel up and use a lighter that runs butane or other fuel every day you'll never have an issue. If you leave it in a bag in your trunk for years till you need it that one time I bet you can guess what will work and what won't.
 
FSCJedi said:
I don’t want to derail my own thread, but I have a couple of these and love them. I found that the o-rings work really well, but if you REALLY want it to be sealed up good, put a Ranger band around the outside. Pictured here. I also put a small zip-tie around the band to keep it from shifting. To use I just roll the band down over top the zip-tie.
View attachment 1521061
Click to expand...

What about putting a good bead of hot glue around it? That might work good.
 
Don’t get me wrong I love bics but they can be absolute PITA for frosty weather. Pretty much the only place to store one is inside your coat pocket. Zippo works better in that regard but then they have the leakage issue. Storm matches are good option but they can be tricky too. :D
 
Danke42 said:
Put that lighter and a Bic in your bag and leave them for 2 years. See which one still has fuel then.

If you fuel up and use a lighter that runs butane or other fuel every day you'll never have an issue. If you leave it in a bag in your trunk for years till you need it that one time I bet you can guess what will work and what won't.
Click to expand...

Since it will be in whatever coat/jacket I’m wearing (I suppose that’s odd for a guy that doesn’t smoke), it will get checked regularly. I do like how much fluid it holds, I kept thinking I was overfilling it....probably could have filled my zippo twice. Bics will stay in all my packs and organizers, I just wanted something a little unique and somewhat waterproof.
 
Lee D said:
Since it will be in whatever coat/jacket I’m wearing (I suppose that’s odd for a guy that doesn’t smoke), it will get checked regularly. I do like how much fluid it holds, I kept thinking I was overfilling it....probably could have filled my zippo twice. Bics will stay in all my packs and organizers, I just wanted something a little unique and somewhat waterproof.
Click to expand...
Well as long as you use and refill it regularly it should be fine then.

I've got a similar Maratac lighter in my bag but I have to check it and then fill it. The fuel just boils out over time. I do carry a few fire starting options and on any lighter you can still get sparks off the flint.
 
Flashlight.

Also I have used Zippos for years and have not experienced leakage or fast evaporation. For a bugout bag or similar, yes a Bic is the way to go. For personal carry in this cold winter climate the Zippo works for me. Last summer I was at the lake and my Zippo was out of fuel so I filled it with bbq lighter fluid and it lasted for what seemed like a freakish long time, so an unintentional hack. I don't recommend or endorse this method. :p
 
Wrist watch. Used to be a ‘68 Omega Seamaster, but that is just used for dress these days. Currently Tag Indy500, and when rock climbing a basic Casio. I always wear a watch if I am clothed.

Wedding ring. Never comes off. Ever.

Hearing aid. Partially deaf in left ear. :(

Torch. Currently Fenix PD25.

Lighter. I’m not an arsonist, rest assured. Douglass Field-S
 
Last edited:
My stupid iPhone since I'm attached to texting kids and tracking my walking steps.... damn technology. I also have a Fenix flashlight since my wife and I walk every night, and of course a knife.
 
Fenix EO1 for flashlight is always in my pocket, along with a space pen. With regard to lighting, I like the flint metal match. I don't have a source, but if you google it, they are cheap and available everywhere. They have a rubber gasket that I've tested out for over 5 years, and still no fuel evaporates. They are very easy to use, I love them.

I've tried the Exotac, and it performs well WRT no fuel evaporation, but every time I unscrew the lid, a bunch of fuel has leaked into it and is now all over my hands. They warn you about not overfilling them to avoid that, but it happens to me even when it's almost out of fuel. I don't like starting a fire with lighter fluid on my hands.
 
sodak said:
Fenix EO1 for flashlight is always in my pocket, along with a space pen. With regard to lighting, I like the flint metal match. I don't have a source, but if you google it, they are cheap and available everywhere. They have a rubber gasket that I've tested out for over 5 years, and still no fuel evaporates. They are very easy to use, I love them.

I've tried the Exotac, and it performs well WRT no fuel evaporation, but every time I unscrew the lid, a bunch of fuel has leaked into it and is now all over my hands. They warn you about not overfilling them to avoid that, but it happens to me even when it's almost out of fuel. I don't like starting a fire with lighter fluid on my hands.
Click to expand...
I just end up burning the material on the metal match things when the fuel runs out, the wick burns up. I had that happen with 4 of them and I just gave up at that point.
 
I already responded, on the first page...but, I'm going to expand on my answer. I have lights on my keyrings, and on both work IDs. I also carry a surefire titan in my pocket at work (I work nights). If I have a jacket on, there is a bigger light in the pocket (don't judge - wearing a jacket means I'm not in my workplace, and doesn't necessarily mean I have my car key). I don't "need" a light when I walk my dog; but I like being able to let the occasional car know we're there.

If I'm wearing a jacket, I also have a lighter. A zippo case with a 2 jet butane insert.

I've also been carrying a 5" Knipex Cobra for a while. I use it far more than I anticipated, especially at work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top