I just looked and it appears that they have a single flame torch insert, double flame torch insert, arc insert, and a softflame butane insert.
The softflame (they call it yellow flame) looks very interesting!
Classic Lighters
- Thread starter Maximumsmoke
- Start date
The softflame (they call it yellow flame) looks very interesting!
So a $19 torch insert in a $25 Zippo with the original insert removed. If the torch works well, that is still pretty cheap.
I worked with a guy that was stationed on an aircraft carrier. He *claimed* that they used to fill their zippos with jet fuel. I have no way of verifying, but wow.
Yep. I smoke primarily outside, never in the house, sometimes in the garage. Anyway, when I'm using my Zippo outdoors on a windy day, I grab an old burnt cob 'cause i know the Zippo is likely to burn it further.
ylekot
On the lookout for a purse
I have been eyeing that as well.
In warm weather I carry a Bic, when it gets cold I carry a Zippo.
A gas Zippo in the summer could be quite nice.
Navy jet fuel (JP5) is quite stable, it has a minimum flashpoint of 140 F.
Gasoline is very volatile and has a flashpoint of -49 F
Regular lighter fluid has a flashpoint of around -7 F
ylekot
On the lookout for a purse
Gasoline does work in a Zippo, but it smells terrible and gives a real nice POOF when it lights and the flame is HUGE!
Not recommended
So, that high flashpoint, compared to lighter fluid, would it even work in a Zippo?...especially in low temp conditions?
Does anyone think about flame temp? I purchased a hemp wick lighter because of its “low temp” and thinking about the caramelization of virginia’s sugars at the correct temp, I think about it now and again. I will withhold the inner nerd and say I dislike using a non adjust Bic with its big flame and will stick with my fatboy. Has anyone used a FB for a while and moved on to something better?
Edit: the hemp deal rocks yet smells awful once the flame is extinguished.
Edit: the hemp deal rocks yet smells awful once the flame is extinguished.
ylekot
On the lookout for a purse
Flame color is a better indicator of temperature than flame size.
In a pinch some used to use it, but we worked in an engineering space that was 120 to 130 F all the time, so it only took a little work to get it going.
If you were out and about in cooler temps? It took a LOT of work. I think real lighter fluid was cheaper than the flints you'd go through.
It was almost as easy to go back behind the boiler and put the end of your cigarette on a steam pipe from the superheater outlet which was almost 500 F. Paper ignites at approx 451 F.
I used to have a zippo I swapped out the innards for a butane insert that I liked, easier to use and fill. Also had a Ronson lighter I liked, they had plastic ones and also metal ones that were a good price.
Zippo owns Ronson now, and still produces a separate line of Ronson lighters and fuels.
That's why Zippo nows says to use only genuine Zippo or Ronsonol lighter fuel.
I've an original ronson lighter that is probably from the 40s or so. I bought it off ebay. It's awesomely cool looking. If I have the mechanism perfectly cleaned and it's topped off with fluid it lights pretty easy. If I'm not religious about maintaining it, it's a PITA to light a pipe with it.
I want a permanent match lighter. I see that working really well with pipes. The Ronson does ok, and just ok, when it's well maintained and easy to flick.
Generally I am into vintage utensils and tools, hence why I rock the ronson. It is one of few examples where modern throwaway economy design actually outperforms vintage build quality. Give me a late 1800s straight razor, or Claus scissors or shears from the 50s, or a vintage case pocket knife, or any of a number er of older vintage utensils. They are usually far superior to the current cheap throwaway options. Current disposable bics, on the other hand, are hard to beat.
I want a permanent match lighter. I see that working really well with pipes. The Ronson does ok, and just ok, when it's well maintained and easy to flick.
Generally I am into vintage utensils and tools, hence why I rock the ronson. It is one of few examples where modern throwaway economy design actually outperforms vintage build quality. Give me a late 1800s straight razor, or Claus scissors or shears from the 50s, or a vintage case pocket knife, or any of a number er of older vintage utensils. They are usually far superior to the current cheap throwaway options. Current disposable bics, on the other hand, are hard to beat.
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I have heard of that. Also read in a book WWII GIs would use gasoline when needed. If it is all you have then yeah.
lasta
Blade Biter
I used to be a long time Zippo guy, but running out of fuel in middle of the week got on my nerves...
Dug up an old Dupont, had it repaired and been using it for the past 2 months. No leakage and lasts much longer.
Dug up an old Dupont, had it repaired and been using it for the past 2 months. No leakage and lasts much longer.
My dad told me a story of when he was in the army, and he used two stroke outboard motor fuel in his zippo, because it was all they had handy. Gummed it all up.
I bet it would! Probably smoked like the dickens too!
The best method with a Zippo is to top it off whenever fuel is handy rather than waiting till it needs to be refilled.
Nimrod, Zippos, Old Boy, BICs.
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