Zippo Warning

S

swede79

Joined
Jan 30, 2001
Messages
813
Wow, did I ever make a mistake last weekend. Going into the woods, I usually carry several lighters (like most of you), including zippos. Not being a smoker, they are usually in a butt pack and back pack. For whatever reason, I put one in a front pocket, and drove from Denver, Colorado US, to Vail. This involved driving from 5,000 feet over an 11,000 foot pass. Big mistake.

As we got to the top of the pass, my leg was burning pretty bad. All I can guess is that I filled the zippo to the brim the night before, and the high altitude was causing some evaporation/leakage. :eek: Got a nice burn on my thigh!

You've been warned!
 
i take it you mean a chemical burn, from the fluid...
thanks for the heads-up.
peace.
aleX.
 
I think most guys that have carried a Zippo for any length of time have had one of these burns. I think going to altitude makes them leak even more. I was in Durango Colorado when mine leaked all over my legs. It hurt BAD for about two hours. I quit carrying them after that even though I still collect them. I converted to butane type lighters because of the leaks and Zippo fluid evaporates very quickly and you have to make sure they always have fluid. Not to mention zippo fluid overpowers the taste of a cigar or pipe.
 
You boys ain't kidding. I once tried to get a stain out of the driver's seat of a truck with a cleaner that had naptha in it. Had some real toasty inner thighs for an hour or two. Nasty stuff to get on the skin.
 
Hey Guys....

Holy Crap..
you ain't using Naptha in your frigging lighters are you ???

Ummmm Slightly dangerous guys....
Besides,, it evaporates to quickly...

Lighter fluid will last loner as it is slightly oilier...

I remmember a few times using my mothers purfume to fill my lighter when I was out of lighter fluid.. Talk about NAS-TY taste!!! :)

As far as burns to the skin..
I went swimming with my Zippo in my front pockets and got a Wicked rash with Zits on the front of my leg.. Don't remember how long it lasted,,but DO remember being uncomfortable for quite some time...

ttyle

Eric...
 
Not to mention what is located very near the bottom of those pockets! And that's from experience!:(

Paul
 
Hi,

The evaporation and leakage of Zippo fluid can almost be stopped by using an insert fluel tank to replace the cotton inside the Zippo.
I also once got a nasty chemical burn from the regular Zippo lighter fluid. I had a dark spot on my skin for months!

I found that little gadget on a German outdoor company called Globetrotter go to:

http://www.globetrotter.de

and type in the left upper corner the article number ZP 01 101 it's called a Tristar Zippo fuel insert tank.

Or just directly go to: http://www.globetrotter.de/de/htm_shop/rubrik_start.php3

It's in the middle column of pictures second row.

The tank costs about $2.40

Or you could buy an Tristar Zippo gas insert (right column second row) and you have a Zippo with a liquid gas insert .

Best Scouting wishes from Holland,

Bagheera
 
Hi Normark,

No, from earlier zippo posts, I thought that zippo fluid WAS naptha, or some derivative of it.

Thanks, Bagheera, I'll take a look at these. My red spot is now half brown, so I guess it's healing.... :D :D
 
Trust me, lighter fluid that you buy in a store anywhere, IS Naptha. It may be perfumed some but it is Naptha. Yeah, higher altitudes will cause it to expand and you should NEVER fill a Zippo and carry it until it sits awhile and has been lit several times. There's still nothing like a Zippo though in windy conditions.

Piet, your Zippo tank idea sounds great! I'll have to check those out. Thanks. What's the shipping from Germany to the U.S.?
 
bigcozy wrote:
"I converted to butane type lighters because of the leaks <snip> Not to mention zippo fluid overpowers the taste of a cigar or pipe."

====================

VERY true. I smoke about two or three cigars a month. One thing I've learned is that, if you want your stogie to taste like lighter fluid, use a Zippo. If you want to actually enjoy the taste of the cigar, use butane (jet lighters are the best for this) or wooden matches. I love the looks and feel of Zippo lighters. But they're just lousy for cigars.
 
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