The legendary Zippo Lighter

The Government

The Government

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Aug 21, 2009
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I have always been a fan of these lighters. I am curious if anybody uses one as a primary lighter when in the outdoors. Surely you have other fire-making tools, but do you carry a Zippo as well?

I guess I like them because they are cool for one, and because they are wind resistant. They run out of fluid fast, but it isn't too hard to carry extra fluid. I am comfortable with my other fire tools as well (firesteels, matches, and tinders) so having a lighter is already a little bit of a luxury (I do cary a bic in my PSK as well). I guess it is just fun to play with. Everyone can also find a zippo to match their personal character -surely some of you like the RAT Zippo;).

Thanks for your responses. :thumbup:
 
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A couple of issues though, possible to work around exist.

The lighter only works right side up, so you have to have any tinder elevated above the lighter.

The fluid evaporates just by carrying, not exactly something I would want to have to rely on.

They are prone to getting wet and not working too hot.

Otherwise they are pretty good, and aren't a bad thing to have if you carry additional fluid, but I wouldn't say it's a real survival lighter, you're far better off with a Bic.
 
i always carry three sources. zippo and fluid, matches, and my rat fire kit. aswell as
some type of tinder. i know it's over kill.
 
If i'm out on a 1-2 day hike i'll probably take a zippo as my primary means of fire but i'd have a backup (etc. fire steel, magnesium fire starter). Zippos are more reliable in colder temperatures then a butane lighter and are windproof. But keep in mind it only takes about 1-2 weeks for the fuel in a zippo to evaporate when not in use.

I find a zippo is a handy thing even when it's out of fluid.
Cotton in the zippo itself can be used to help start a fire, or the metal casing for storage.The extra flint never hurts either.
 
if I'm about to head out, I'll top off my zippo and drop it in a pocket. I love that it is easy to use with cold clumsy hands. flip the top, run the wheel down your leg, and the lid makes a good handle while you hold the lighter in one hand, and a "tinder torch" in the other.
 
Had a Zippo for awhile. Gave it to an ex-girlfriend.
They are definitely the coolest lighters on the planet.
 
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I have two around the house for novelty purposes. They are always out of fluid or nearly so every time I use one, and I would never ever light my cigar with one. They are fun to play with though.
 
They're the most reliable thing I've found to light a smoke on a ski lift. Like all things, they just need a little love now and again to keep working well.
 
RAT zippo sit right in my pocket, heading out or not, I have it with me. Never would be my only means to light a fire, but it is doing a great job so far lightin my smokes. :)
 
Now that I have a couple, one is EDC, the other is in my go kit.

I think the advantages (for me) outweigh the disadvantages. Plus, I bought a couple of fuel storage containers for them, so even if they evaporate out, I have fuel with the lighter.
 
MrMushSHROOM said:
But keep in mind it only takes about 1-2 weeks for the fuel in a zippo to evaporate when not in use.
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I must be doing something wrong, mine is dry in about an hour or so. I would never rely on my Zippo but I keep it around because I like playing with it.
 
7wt said:
I must be doing something wrong, mine is dry in about an hour or so. I would never rely on my Zippo but I keep it around because I like playing with it.
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Take a piece of bicycle innertuvbe wide enough to cover from the base of the lighter to about halfway up the lid, slide it one and it will prevent the fuel from evaporating. I've left one in my hunting daypack and it still lit easily and burned 3-4 months later. I use the small tabasco sauce bottles from the MRE for Zippo fuel and they work GREAT!!!
 
blake g49 said:
Take a piece of bicycle innertuvbe wide enough to cover from the base of the lighter to about halfway up the lid, slide it one and it will prevent the fuel from evaporating. I've left one in my hunting daypack and it still lit easily and burned 3-4 months later. I use the small tabasco sauce bottles from the MRE for Zippo fuel and they work GREAT!!!
Click to expand...

Interesting, I am going to have to try that. Thanks!
 
Before BIC's, it was pretty much Zippo or matches. Nothing like over filling your Zippo, throw it in your pocket and getting that nice burn on your thigh.:eek:

Really going back, our HS football coach had to monitor study hall in the library one period a day. If one of his "boys" was taking a snooze, head down on the table, the coach would come up behind him, get out his Zippo, and whack the offender really hard on top of the head. In the quiet library, it sounded like a shot. Everyone would giggle and pray they didn't nod off. And, yes, there was a time when HS staff could and did smoke as well as physically deal with students.:jerkit:

_________________
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Now that I have a couple, one is EDC, the other is in my go kit.

I think the advantages (for me) outweigh the disadvantages. Plus, I bought a couple of fuel storage containers for them, so even if they evaporate out, I have fuel with the lighter.
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can i ask what kind of containers?. i just have a can of fluid in my pack.
i would be interested in a smaller setup. thank's.
 
Ya if you you use "ranger bands" (read bicycle innertubes) on your zippo it'll keep fuel for a LONG time. If you Use a "ranger band" it will also keep water out. My brother and I decided to test this out on our last canoe/camping trip. They made it all the first night and through the second day without getting wet. What eventuallyy was the downfall was i think us getting water under the band and it squeezing into the zippo. the reason i think this is is is b/c we swam the same amount, but i was always sure to try and qipe my hands dry when using it. He on the other hand did not and his got wet way before mine did.
 
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