Zippos have been around before WWII, and these iconic lighters are still around today despite the constant competition that comes from inexpensive disposable lights that you can purchase at gas station checkouts.
It may be due to Hollywood marketing that always has Zippo lighters in movies in which the action hero casually takes out his Zippo from his pocket and then heroically tosses it onto the trail of gasoline before walking away from it all with an incredible explosion taking place shortly after.
It's important to note that with a growing number of consumers Zippos are now becoming more popular since people now understand that quality is better than quantity. Survivalists are beginning to become more interested in Zippos because they can burn a variety of fuels.
After the break, learn more about Zippos and the range of fuels they can burn as well as discover a brief history lesson on these lighters and why they've become valuable to preppers today.
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I carry a Zippo and love it. But you need to carry fuel for it because the fuel does evaporate over a week or two. You can take a piece of bicycle inner tube and put it over the lighter to close it better and reduce evaporation. Plus a slice of the inner tube can be used to help light wet tinder in an emergency.
I have quite a few of them in my bobs and I’ve even added Zippo hand warmers to them. Hypothermia can be a$#%&!@*even when it’s not winter.
I have a zippo, but it doesn’t get used much anymore. I got an IMCO lighter that can use many different kinds of fluids to work.
The hand warmers are awesome.
Nice tip never really thought about doing that. I also keep extra Flint’s right in the cotton in the bottom.
I never thought about carrying extra flints in the bottom, so thanks for the tip.
I live in Central Maine and work outside and I have two that I keep in my coat pockets I absolutely swear by these.
Thomas Pena
You’re welcome and thanx for your tips as well.
I usually Rob them from old bics I find but you will need to cut them in half they are twice as long as needed but that just means two Flint’s per bic lighter.
PS. I cut them with my leatherman and a piece of cloth wrapped around it so you can catch it those things will go flying.
Useful information, gonna start getting Coleman fuel
Your better off carrying both, but I’d say a Bic lighter is just better to have.. It will last for many years and can start thousands of fires. I’d recommend carrying 3-5 in a Bag..
I have used Bic flints in my zippo before, they don’t strike quite as good as zippo flints but they get the job done.
The article was a pain to read but it had some good info o think
They dry out too easily. Not even in my top 10 for fire starting options.
I’d rather carry 3 Bic lighters than a zippo. I had a zippo in the past and it seems like I was refilling it all the time.
Zippo can use multi fuels
So what. You’ve got a wick to replace, they dry out fast…1 Bic lighter will outlast a zippo and a can of fuel in any climate
To each his own Eric, but they work if you take care of them.
I have several and I was born after 1970. A poor statement. You can get a zippo at almost every check out line in the United States.
Nick Smith if you run out of fuel and can’t get more right away take the flints out of the cotton and store them dry. Otherwise they turn to powder once the cotton dries out.
I’ve owned zippos for years. have 10 of them dating back 40 years
Love my Zippo try lighting a bic n the wind
Have owned several zippos in my life! Still have most of them. Guarenteed for life. will be sending all of what i have left in for repair shortly. Thanks Zippo for such a great lighter!
Getting rid of this silly$#%&!@*page. You want to tell me 5 things you don’t have to get me to click on 6 different damn pages
zippo fuel = white gas = Coleman fuel
This is false. I’ve used olive oil and lamp oil.
Naphtha
To delay the evaporation of fuel for long term storage in a bug out or survival bag I put petroleum jelly in the bottom of the Zippo case and coat the wick carefully as well, do the inner tube trick also… Petroleum jelly can also be used to catch tinder alight easily.
I own 102 Zippos and will get more the only way to have a great lite
Lyle Patrick Johnson my current wick is 4 years old.
Good for you. A Bic is more reliable than a zippo in a survival situation
Way to many clicks so here…
I used to carry flints in the bottom as well but I noticed lately they disinigrate! Prolly old ones is my only guess, I always use the yellow package Ronco ones too! :/
I carry this one because it’s the same age as one of my kids. 🙂
Zippo’s are fantastic lighters, the author of this article is an idiot. Poorly written, non flowing, poor integration of information points, anyone can publish any type of drivel today….
If this isn’t allowed sorry.
Best lighter that uses white gas is a Douglass Field S. Waterproof and fuel still good after a year. Has a reserve tank too. Only draw back is its cost. Quality lighter.
http://www.bladehq.com/item–Douglass-Field-Lighter-Waterproof–23249
I buy packs of zippo flints. have a few in the bottom of each lighter. also buy zippos broken and use the parts. folks don’t always know what they have
Phil Most
Lyle Patrick Johnson it depends on where you live. A Bic will not light in cold climates. The gas does not turn to vapor, therefore you here hissing but it will not light.
Zippo, great company, they stand behind their product. I found a Zippo buried in a dry Creek bed, the insides were toast, the case hinge broken. I sent it back, they repaired the hinge and put brand new lighter inside and sent it back to me, all it costed was postage. Great company.
The statement that a Zippo want leak is absolutely false. Anyone that has filled a Zippo and placed it in their front pants pocket will tell you that they leak and if you dont clean it up it can be quite unpleasant as it will burn your skin. Another drawback is that whatever fuel you use, it will evaporate leaving you with little more than a spark.
I smoked for 30 years and often carried a Zippo, still have one, they are durable and wind resistant. But unless you plan on carrying a bottle of lighter fluid in your BOB they are not very practical.
But to each his own.
Just my two cents.
As a Boiler Technician in the Navy, we were only allowed Zippos in the Fireroom on my ships. I worked in the oil lab for a while and learned that when the ships store was out of lighter fluid, I could use isopropyl alcohol. It didn’t last nearly as long and it burned a little cooler… but it did work.
Facts.
Seriously, even a magnifying glass is more reliable
The zippo replaced the Bic and almost has replaced the Djeep lighters for me. I carry a zippo daily and havre never smoked. The leg burn is a leaky unit- you don’t have to live with it they can correct it at the factory. On the surface they are easy to dismiss for a “prepper”. For a survivalist they are a great piece of gear. Those WP lighters that Pete Rock posted might be better, but the Zippo has a lot going for it that you will not figure out except by use. Bic will leak unexpectedly, have a small non adjustable flame. Djeeps are better. But I fill my zippo religiously, and carry it daily, and it’s what I want come an emergency.
I don’t smoke, but I carry this all day ever day.
I agree. Got that burn a time or two. The fuel will leak out over time for sure! Lose it in the crack of the couch for a month and it will come up dry.