Zippo Question????

S

sir woodley

Joined
Feb 13, 2006
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285
Hi all. I'm thinking about carrying my Zippo as part of my EDC. The thing is, I don't smoke anymore and havn't in about the last four years. I guess I was just wondering if I need "a light", about how long would the lighter fluid last in a non use EDC Zippo. You dig? Thanks, Matt :thumbup:
 
Not long. It will evaporate and it might leak out, depending on how you carry the lighter (if it's not upright, for example, it will leak more so than if it is upright). Also, a newly filled Zippo dropped in your pocket will burn hell out of your leg if the fluid leaks out and hits your skin. The best way to EDC a Zippo is in a leather pouch on your belt, if you're going to do it.
 
I wouldn't rely on a Zippo lighter to stay "wet" for non smoking use. You could try the Zippo blue butane lighter.
 
i took a piece of bike tire tube and cut a "band" out of it. it fits snugly around my zippo and is tough rubber-- helps keep a seal around the lips of the zippo. i've had good results doing this when i kept my zippo in my backpack, but if i keep it in my pocket the zippo gets warm enough that the fluid will still continue to evaporate. slower with the rubber seal, but it still happens.
 
I have never smoked and have carried a zippo for years. About a year ago I switch to a Z-plus insert.
 
Since your not going to be using it much, I would deff suggest a butane lighter. At best a zippo's fuel will probably last a week. Even then you'll start to scorch the wick a bit.

If you want the zippo design, then I would suggest the z-plus insert. The zippo blu would be ok too but ive heard they have issues that zippo still hasnt worked out yet which is the reason why i havent bothered getting one yet.

If you dont mind a very slight bulge, I would suggest a blazer PB-207. It has a good sized tank, is very efficient with the butane it can hold, and very dependable. Has a decent "wow" factor for people who haven't seen one before either. I go months at a time before I refill mine, and I do use it on occasion like burning the ends of cords and stuff.
 
I don't smoke, but I often do carry a Zippo for utility, outdoors recreation, and to have something handy if somebody asks "You got a lighter?". So, the OP would probably use his as much as I (YMMV). I regularly get 2 weeks (sometimes just over) out of mine. I am yet to have a leak. Some people like to put a piece of bike tube on the lighter at the seam between cover and body to slow evaporation. I never have. It is annoying when you do want to use it, and it won't light because it's dry since you forgot to refill it- in that regard somesort of butane (or Z-PLUS insert if you like the Zippo look) could come in handy.
 
I barely smoke now, but I still EDC a Zippo in my pocket. It always comes in handy for all kinds of other things. I've heard a lot about fuel leaking and burning your leg, but in a decade of carrying Zippos in the same pocket every day, I've never had that problem. Maybe it's a question of accidental overfilling?

Yeah, the fuel will eventually evaporate, but you can't in good conscience light a lady's cigarette with a Bic ;). Just make refueling part of your Sunday night ritual. You know: touch up your EDC knife edges, check batteries, polish your shoes/boots for the week, etc.
 
I carry a Zippo slim lighter all the time,in the watch pocket of my jeans,if you overfill it and don't let it evaporate before putting it in your pocket,it will burn slightly for an hour or so.I never fill it more than once a week and I've gone most of 2 without a refill.
 
I would tend towards a butane or butane insert if you are a non-smoker. Otherwise you will forget to fill it on a regular basis and Mr Murphy is sure to visit when you need it to work. I don't use butane but a Bic lighter lives in each car and in my range bags just in case.
 
For those of you getting chem burns, I would suggest filling until the fluid starts to leak from the wick. At that point light the lighter and leave it burning for 15-20 seconds. I've always done that and have yet to give myself a chemical burn.
 
What's the point of carrying a lighter daily (Daily... Not criticizing all zippo carriers) if you won't use it? It's understandable if you will need it, but carrying just so you can whip it out when someone wants to light up is dumb, IMO. OP, is there a reason you want to carry a Zippo?

On topic, it will evaporate.
 
butane lighters are evil, okay now that that's out of the way I've carried a zippo for several years and i make it a habit to top it off once a week. i don't smoke so i just carry it for whatever may come up. don't overfill and you won't get burned.
 
If you don't use a lighter very often, IMHO get a butane. Wal-Mart has a Coleman butane lighter that is about the same size as a Zippo, and it has a lanyard attachment, a latch to hold the cover closed and a dial adjustment on the bottom for the size of flame you want for about 12 bucks.
 
jeffreyliu838 said:
What's the point of carrying a lighter daily (Daily... Not criticizing all zippo carriers) if you won't use it? It's understandable if you will need it, but carrying just so you can whip it out when someone wants to light up is dumb, IMO. OP, is there a reason you want to carry a Zippo?

On topic, it will evaporate.
Click to expand...

Why is it dumb to carry something on hand that you might use, even if you don't use it every day?
 
jeffreyliu838 said:
What's the point of carrying a lighter daily (Daily... Not criticizing all zippo carriers) if you won't use it? It's understandable if you will need it, but carrying just so you can whip it out when someone wants to light up is dumb, IMO. OP, is there a reason you want to carry a Zippo?

On topic, it will evaporate.
Click to expand...

Let's see...what can you use a lighter for?

lighting up a smoke
starting a fire for cooking or warmth
burning the end of a nylon or similar type cord
removing an thread from your uniform button
a better than nothing emergency light
lighting a candle
to find drafts in window jams and doorways
for de-icing car and truck locks
for burning wax off of the tips of ball point pens
emergency signal mirror
as a tool for hobby and craft projects
can be used as a hand warmer
and one of my favorites...
rock concerts!

and I know there are hundreds more...these are what I came up with without thinking on it...
 
jeffreyliu838 said:
What's the point of carrying a lighter daily (Daily... Not criticizing all zippo carriers) if you won't use it? It's understandable if you will need it, but carrying just so you can whip it out when someone wants to light up is dumb, IMO. OP, is there a reason you want to carry a Zippo?

On topic, it will evaporate.
Click to expand...

In addition to the list of uses absintheur posted, I personally just like Zippos, I don't know why- I just do.
 
jeffreyliu838 said:
What's the point of carrying a lighter daily (Daily... Not criticizing all zippo carriers) if you won't use it? It's understandable if you will need it, but carrying just so you can whip it out when someone wants to light up is dumb, IMO. OP, is there a reason you want to carry a Zippo?

On topic, it will evaporate.
Click to expand...

If you have to ask,then I guess you don't need one.:DI use mine for just about everything Absintheur said along with lighting torches,and for about 8 months out of the year,I usually end up lighting fires at least once a week.
 
jeffreyliu838 said:
What's the point of carrying a lighter daily (Daily... Not criticizing all zippo carriers) if you won't use it? It's understandable if you will need it, but carrying just so you can whip it out when someone wants to light up is dumb, IMO.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what people say when I pull out my EDC, a Delica. I don't use it everyday but it is nice to have.
 
mp510 said:
In addition to the list of uses absintheur posted, I personally just like Zippos, I don't know why- I just do.
Click to expand...

You and me both. Zippos are cool. There's something about a 60 or 70 year old design that still works great that appeals to me. I love them, to the point where I carry a spare plastic bottle of fuel in my backpack.

Problem solved.
 
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