A small mechanical device that I really like is an Iconic Made in America institution… the classic Zippo wind proof lighter.
Its so simple it’s elegant. I have to admit a fascination with them.
The company started back during the Great Depression, supplied our troops during WWII, and is still making the same design. It’s an American success story. I think its something that every gun owner can appreciate.
If you are unfamiliar with the Zippo Wind Proof Lighter. Go get one.
I carry one all the time or at least keep one in my car. Its my good luck charm.
Never smoked but I still have 3 or 4 most from my late father in law
My dad kept (and used) his WWII Zippo until he stopped smoking around 1980!
I have the one my grandfather carried in WW II. The “leaf spring” that tensions the cam, that holds open the cover, finally wore out a few years ago. I sent it to Zippo with a note to ONLY replace the spring and not refinish the brass coloring.
They sent it back looking the same as when I mailed it but working like new. They also sent me a few extra wicks and some packing. All free of charge. Great company.
Sadly, zippos suck, the damn fuel dries out in a couple weeks and it ain’t even heavy enough for a paper weight. I learned this after I decided I liked them and spent a few hundred bucks on the damn things plus spare flints and wicks and fuel. They go dry unused in your pocket, worthless shiny things, was going to give some to my smoker friends as gifts, thats when I got my first, but not last, education on how zippos suck. Even guys who would use them daily don’t want them. Anybody wanna buy some like new zippos plus flints, fuel and wicks?
Butane all the way…
Yeah, because I’ve never run out of Butane…
Obviously, but they give a lot more lights on a tank and the ones I have that are ten years old with little use still light up.
I’m glad you like your cheap Chinese made stuff. Thanks for that input. You obviously have no appreciation for what it is I’m getting at. Who cares if lighter fluid can evap out? There’s more to it than that. I’ve seen Zippos from WWII that still light – Oh of course, if you refill it! Such a chore! We’re talking about something designed in the 30’s and I think it’s quite an excellent design and they still work just as advertised now days. If you keep it filled. Like, top it off every two weeks. You might not have the time for that. You probably don’t have time to toast a Pop Tart either. That’s fine. Me, I’m going to make some time. Because I appreciate some things that maybe you don’t.
One last thing. Zippo makes Butane lighters as well… and they are pretty awesome. And they are also made in the USA. And they’ll outlast anything made in China.
When it’s 20 below zero and you cannot feel your fingers, yes, refilling a zippo is a chore, enjoy your shinny thing, I would not suggest it as a practical piece.
I’ve carried one in my pocket since my 18th birthday. I don’t typically smoke … but you never know when you need fire .
and when you do your zippo will be dry and useless
You are sounding like a broken record now. We get your message. And I don’t care.
I don’t think you do, obviously I am bored and have too much time on my hands but often you endorse products which just don’t work, like those Gerber folding utility knives, I thought they were great too, but shook my head when you endorsed them because I already learned the blade pops out if you actually put any pressure on it, I have several, all the same problem. I don’t work behind a gun counter as you did last I heard, I work out in the field were stuff has to work or its dead weight.
Have we as Americans fallen so far down the industrial ladder that theres no way to obtain an ounce of GASOLINE to refill a zippo?
Its the 1911 of the cigarette lighter world. Classic, understated and requires constant user input to keep running. Obviously, its not for everyone.
I bought a case of refill bottles, and an ounce every two weeks will soon deplete it. Whatever works for you, no, its not for me, function over style in my book.
Exactly. I don’t smoke either. But you never know when you need to light a BBQ grill.
Mmmmmm, PopTarts.
I have other lighters that are probably more efficient but I keep using a Zippo just because I think it’s cool. Plus I like the sound it makes when you flip the lid shut.
But then I am a user of 1911s, revolvers, and lever guns too so…
Some things NEVER go out of style.
Never forget when I was wearing the uniform in SE Asia in the 70’s. Spent time in Thailand and on post kept seeing the Thai Army dudes attaching their Zippo’s (they all smoked all had Zips) tying their lighters to a long string and dropping them down the gas fill hose (gas cap) on jeeps into the gas tank to refill them!!! No purchase of special lighter fluid for them!
It’s a cigarette lighter. It’s made for lighting cigarettes. It does that better than anything else I’ve ever tried, in all weathers. So what if you have to fill it every couple of weeks? Is it too hard to keep a bottle of fluid handy? To keep an extra flint or two under the felt? Some people would bitch if you hanged them with a new rope.
Zippo is a great company. I’ve sent a couple of lighters back for repairs over the 40+ years I’ve carried one, and the company has always been great about fixing and returning them. I wish my cars were as durable.
Yup. Long live the classic Zippo. I have several and use them regularly. Got a fancy pipe lighter one and also one with a butane tank insert that cures the “problem”? some folks have with them.
The company is great and stands behind the product 100%.
Probably the only thing from our current age that will be dug up 5000 years from now in some archaeological dig and everybody will immediately know what it is.
And if refilled, could still work.
It’s a 20th/21st century implementation of basic science from the dawn of time: flamable liquid+wick+spark=fire. Spaceage-caveman at its finest.
Ogre, do you know what of flame is on the Butane models? Is it a torch style, or regular flame?
Torch style…
Zippo has a lot of cool stuff. A Stainless Steel Wallet, nice looking pens and watches. I’ve not seen these in person, but I am interested in them. And they have a nice hatchet.
“Probably the only thing from our current age that will be dug up 5000 years from now in some archaeological dig and everybody will immediately know what it is………” And the 1911!
unless Nate is buying and using throwaway butanes, his butane lighter has a life of about two years and then it’s usually toast. Didn’t matter how much I paid for them they all stopped working after a while.
I’ve got several Zippos, including the first one I ever bought, (purchased at the BX at Tan Son Nhut). It’s been back to the factory at least three times since 1972, but it still works well. Haven’t smoked in 5 years, but still carry a Zippo.
Zippo makes a pretty nice little pocket knife as well (at least they did in the 90’s ). Very thin. Easily and comfortably carried in “business attire”. Not particularly suitable for use “in the field” (I guess that’s a Zippo trait), but it takes a nice sharp edge and cuts stuff.
I guess I would be horribly dishonest and intentionally misleading if I didn’t mention that it does have to be sharpened occasionally.
Seal up your Zippo with a “ranger band,” that is go to the bicycle shop and see if they have any discarded inner tubes they’ll let you have. You can buy “ranger bands” online if you can’t find a bicycle shop.
Cut it wide enough to form a seal around the hinge and seam. The fuel will stay in it for a very, very, long time. A fair number of guys who don’t smoke do this for their bug out bags.
I did that before just to get a better grip on it.
I’ve never been a smoker, but I always keep a Zippo in my pocket. A man never knows when he might need to set something on fire.
Hating on Zippos is like hating on Buck 110s, single action revolvers, Jeep CJs, apple pie, and Mom.
It’s a sure sign that you’re generally a low-grade of man at best, and probably a commie.
LOL… Nailed it.
The other day, a coworker of mine was trying to light his cigarette, and itwas windy outside. His bic lighter wouldn’t work, so he asked if I had my zippo. I handed it to him, it light right up, even in the wind.
The only thing not to love about Zippos is the fact that they always seem to leak, and a pocket full of lighter fuel is not my idea of a good time. Ranger bands don’t always help. I’ve taken to carrying one in a small leakproof container occasionally. If the company could fix that, I’d buy a dozen to start with.
I’ve had plenty of Zippos in my day, and not one of them have ever leaked .(unless of course you over fill it)
If for some reason it does leak, that’s what the warranty is for.