For the uninitiated - can you please describe the ‘bag trick’ and elaborate on using cotton in the insert? Sounds like something I’d like to try. If I could keep fuel in mine for a while w/o it evaporating, I would use it more. Thanks!If I didn't smoke I would most likely go butane 100%. It's hard to say. However, I do smoke and can maybe offer a different perspective
I appreciate the weekly ritual of topping off my Zippo with fuel. Like oiling my blades to prevent rust. Could I just buy stainless? Yes, it is more convenient. But I enjoy the pleasures and functional benefits of carbon steel and the maintenance that goes along with it. The history of lighters and what made Zippo successful brings me joy. I can fix my Zippo insert if almost anything goes wrong, which cannot be said of butane inserts.
Fwiw, I also use "the bag trick" and on my EDC insert replaced the rayon with "cotton bacon". I can go 2 weeks without needing a refill if need be. And I light it about 20 times a day. A 12fl oz can of fuel lasts me about 6 months and it's less than 5 bucks. I also have a small fuel canister on my keychain just in case but have never needed it. Spare flints are stashed on top of the cotton. If I'm packing a lighter for long term storage and reliability, I simply pack a bic.
No hate on the butane inserts! They are great too! I know that lighter fluid, flints, and wicks are not for everyone. But, I also think there is a time, place, and perspective that supports doing things "the old fashioned way"
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Show off your traditional knife and Lighter
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JM2
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Very nice all the way around. What model is that AB fixed blade? I’ve seen several others with one and it’s about the best looking fixed blade to my eye.
btb01
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But, I also think there is a time, place, and perspective that supports doing things "the old fashioned way"
Of all places, I don’t think you have to explain that concept to anyone here.
Jsega51
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The Exotac TitanLight fills from the bottom like a Zippo and is o-ring sealed under both caps. I’ve really been liking this lighter (enough to buy a 2nd pretty fast), especially the design of the threaded main cap. It unscrews in 1 turn and has multiple “start“ positions so you don’t have to worry about lining it up correctly. I have some Zippos and use Bics regularly as well but these are pretty cool in their own right.
btb01
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This was my first Zippo that my dad bought me when I was 14 or so. It originally had a matte black coating, but that got so chipped and beat up (and not in an attractive way) that I removed the rest of the coating, except for the bottom of the lighter. The TC Barlow in the second photo wasn’t my first TC Barlow, but it was the first TC Barlow, which I lucked into thanks to a GAW by
Campbellclanman
(thanks again, mate!).
I like the patina you can get with a solid brass Zippos.
Here’s the same lighter when it was new.
Zippo lighter, Zippo knife.
I think we must have had a knives-and-lighters thread before, because I found this photo on my Imgur account posted at the same time as several other lighter photos.
Campbellclanman
(thanks again, mate!).
I like the patina you can get with a solid brass Zippos.
Here’s the same lighter when it was new.
Zippo lighter, Zippo knife.
I think we must have had a knives-and-lighters thread before, because I found this photo on my Imgur account posted at the same time as several other lighter photos.
GaiusJulius
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IM Corona Old Boy.
JM2
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I have about a dozen suppose. Some older ones in the mix. I have some of the original inserts too. Some of which have the wicks without copper. I seen that mentioned. Is there any reason that’s desirable or better?
Also... all of my inserts have 16 holes in the chimney. But some are flat sided and some have the rib. Any way to date them?
Also... all of my inserts have 16 holes in the chimney. But some are flat sided and some have the rib. Any way to date them?
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The bag trick is cutting a piece of plastic bag (I usually use a freezer bag as it's more durable) and wrapping it around the bottom of the insert before putting the insert in the case. There's some good YouTube videos demonstrating it. I can make a more detailed post if you'd like.
And cotton bacon can be used as a replacement for the Zippo provided rayon balls. Others have done lots of testing with a variety of materials and found products like cotton bacon absorb the most fluid. Maybe twice as much as rayon. It is essentially a recent innovation in wicking material due to vape pens becoming popular. Cotton bacon comes in a pack full of long strips, hence the bacon name. Just cut them into smaller sections and fill the insert. Make sure you pack the wick correctly. I've found other vape cotton brands to perform well also. I got my brand from a local vape shop.
Very cool! I'll have to look into these!
That's awesome you have that lighter to cherish. And what an amazing barlow! Something to cherish as wellThis was my first Zippo that my dad bought me when I was 14 or so. It originally had a matte black coating, but that got so chipped and beat up (and not in an attractive way) that I removed the rest of the coating, except for the bottom of the lighter. The TC Barlow in the second photo wasn’t my first TC Barlow, but it was the first TC Barlow, which I lucked into thanks to a GAW by
Brass does patina so nicely. Yours looks great! I have a Buck 110 with a nice brass patina I'll have to post here with a lighter sometime.
It's crazy how much they change and great you have a picture to show it!
I had seen those knives and considered getting one. How do you like it? Recommend?
I honestly never looked or thought about it. Some of my pics in random threads had lighters in them just because they're a part of my EDC
Then this thread popped up and I was like of course! They pair so perfectly together.Very nice! I have a few different lighter designs I'll have to post here as I rummage through them
The copper wicks are better. They're easier to replace due to their stiffness. But also, the copper heats up and aids the fuel in wicking. Because Zippo stopped producing the wicks without copper, the older wicks are "more valuable"; meaning if your buying a mint vintage Zippo and it has a copper wire wick, you know it's not completely original.
I don't remember how long ago they switched from 14 hole to 16 home chimneys. But, 14 holes are very old and generally worth a lot. By my own records, sometime between Dec 1999 and March 2000 they added the rib to the insert. Dating inserts on most modern Zippos is easy as they have a date code on them that follows the same scheme as the bottom stamp on the cases.
JM2
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Here is a site I found. http://www.glenzippo.co.uk/date/dating.htm
Looks like the wire wick was in 1980.
Looks like the wire wick was in 1980.
That is a site I use heavily and one that helped me date my steel construction Zippo to 1952 (although it was hard to tell and might've been a 51 iirc). Fantastic information on that page for anyone interested in Zippos!
Thanks for digging into it and finding that date! That makes sense as my hunter and dog Zippo is a 74 and did not have a copper wicks but my 1980 fly fishing Zippo did!
Was going back through this thread and don't know how I missed these comments! I too first started using Zippos seriously when my bics kept blowing out in the wind. I also live in a fairly rural area and always liked being able to refill a lighter at home instead of having to go out and buy a new bic. Butane would've worked just as well. Call me traditional I guess! Have a decent stockpile of fuel, wicks, and flints now
That is too bad. Depending on the age, it might've been an original black crackle which are highly sought after too. My grandpa apparently threw away on accident his early 60s case folding hunter in stag that he used to dress game before I was born. Boy was he upset. I wish I could've received that when he passed as I hunted with him more than anyone else in our family.
And thanks again for starting this thread! I'm going to try to continue posting knives and not just lighter chat. But I started collecting Zippos before pocket knives. So, it's easy to get me going
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Love the wear on that lighter and the drop point on that mustang is to die for! I've always been a bit of a sucker for drop points
Here is a "nothing special" Case logo Zippo. I bought it around the time I started collecting traditional folders. It just seemed to fit. I like the diagonal lines on it though. I think it's the only one I have with that feature. But most importantly, it is posted alongside a knife that I hold dear to my heart. I don't post it here often. This Case Peanut is my first ever pocket knife. My grandfather hand picked and bought it for me in person while we were in TN together. He told me to take care of it because Case makes the best pocket knives around and it will be worth a lot of money one day
Kept it in a drawer for years and years. I still have the original box and packaging. $18.99. Never used or carried, save for the time I put it in a pocket slip to carry at my grandfather's funeral. Although, I'm sure I played with it plenty as a child when I first received it. I've considered carrying it more regularly now that he has passed as it reminds me of him and I know I'll never sell it. So, keeping it pristine is not really important anymore. But, having kept it in its box for so long, it feels weird taking it out 
btb01
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The Zippo knives are just rebranded Case knives, so whatever your thoughts/expectations are for current production Case knives, that’s what you get. My personal opinion? It’s ok. Not great, but decent enough for the price.
Yea, I had heard and even assumed they must be made by case since they are all the same company essentially. Wasn't sure if they put any more or less effort into these. Thanks for letting me know! My own experience is that modern case isn't great, but isn't terrible either. I purchased a yellow delrin full size trapper at the local feed mill and they let me go through a few boxes. The first one I opened was nice and so I took that one. Contrarily, I bought a chestnut bone mini trapper in CV sight unseen online. The first one had a good sized chip in the bone so I had to send it back for a replacement. The second one, however, was pretty good. Again, not great, but far from terrible.
All of that is to say, maybe I will have to pick up one of these ZIppo branded case knives
If I can't find them in person, I'll just have to make sure wherever I order from has a solid return / exchange policy. Thanks again!!
knowtracks
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This Zippo was from the 1980's I believe. My brother and I both got one, it was originally painted in camo!
Dave
Dave
Very nice!! You'd hardly know it was camo it is so well used
I, too, have a camo lighter except it is from around 2000. It means a lot to me and is perhaps my most sentimental lighter. I'm sure it will get posted here with the backstory at some point And I love love love the bunny knife and the history behind it. The gentle sway in the frame, the clip with a long pull, it's a masterpiece. As much as I liked deer hunting, rabbit hunting was always my favorite. More active style of hunting for sure and a much more challenging shot, imo. I guess I liked the shotguns we used rabbit hunting more than the ones we used deer hunting as well
Thanks for sharing!