Zippo lighter for camping/survival kit

[Lesmore]

Like many I enjoy watching survival shows. One outdoor survival hint is to carry a lighter to start a fire, rather than resort to the tradional rub two sticks together to generate a spark and fire.

I'm a non smoker, but I've always harboured a desire to buy a Zippo lighter. I've read over the years that this is a good quality device....reliable, durable with some parts made of metal.

I know there is a Zippo camp fire starter...but I have a hankering for a regular Zippo lighter. No fancy designs....just a plain Zippo.

Any suggestions about which Zippo...how to best use a Zippo outdoors in windy conditions...when setting a camp fire...any spare wicks, flints, etc....that should be carried in the survival kit with a Zippo ?

 

[Legion]

I like zippos, and often carry one even though I don't smoke any more. Having said that, it is not a lighter I would recommend for survival use. On a plus side they work well in windy conditions. On the negative side they rely on fuel, which evaporates even when the lighter is not being used. And if they get good and wet they wont work.

Personally I would keep a bic lighter in my survival kit, or some wind proof matches in a sealed container, then back that up with a flint fire starter.

If you also want a zippo in your pocket, then by all means.

 

[73mountaineer]

I carry a Zippo from time to time, even if I have no intention of lighting anything with it. It is a comforting feeling in my pocket.

That said, I wouldn't rely on one for a survival situation, as there are much better options. For sheer cool factor though, a Zippo is as unpretentious as it gets.

 

[jumper]

Zippo lighters are great. I recently had one rebuilt under the lifetime warranty. The reliance on fuel, however, strikes it off the survival list. Wind proof matches that come in a waterproof container are the clear choice.

 

[VMR357]

Zippos have been around for a long time and do what they do very well. A couple of things you should consider. The lighters work best when they are underneath whatever you want to set on fire. The lighter fluid is very volatile. That what makes it work. It also means it will evaporate out of a closed lighter within a few days. If you plan to use a Zippo for a kit, plan on keeping a can of fluid along with it and don't fill the lighter until you are getting ready to use it. And don't over fill it.

 

[Dirk-Lerxst-Pratt]

Waterproof strike anywhere matches, cotton balls rolled in petroleum jelly, and a magnesium stick with striker. Much better options.

 

[Kentos]

I love Zippos as much as the next guy, but they always seem to run out of fluid when you need it. As was noted earlier a Bic would be better.

 

[ArNav]

I tried to sell a brand new Zippo lighter on BST at a good price, there were no takers.

 

[Lexbomb]

Nothing cooler but there is plenty better. I think if lighting a smoke whilst relaxing on your Harley out the front of the diner like the Fonz go for the zippo. If stuck in the middle of dodge I would carry a bic or a magnesium striker

 

[Wishoot]

For fire, my bug out bag contains a bic lighter, cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly and a magnesium brick/striker.

Certainly lacks the coolness factor of a Zippo, but much, much more practical IMO.

 

[Lesmore]

Nothing cooler but there is plenty better. I think if lighting a smoke whilst relaxing on your Harley out the front of the diner like the Fonz go for the zippo. If stuck in the middle of dodge I would carry a bic or a magnesium striker

The Fonz was cool....he rode a Triumph 500 twin.

 

[Lesmore]

After reading the replies...I think what would work best for me would be to carry a Zippo, a bottle of Ronson lighter fluid, a Bic and some camping matches. Thanks for the info. I didn't realize lighter fluid evaporated out of a Zippo so quickly.

 

[oldbluelight]

If you want a large supply of lighter fluid cheap look for naptha at a paint store. You'll be amazed at the profit margin a small 'lighter fluid' container.

 

[Bad Robot]

I quit smoking 2 and a half years ago. Love my Zippos but yes the fluid will evaporate very quickly out of them so you'd need a supply of that too.
Off topic but I always notice and wonder why in movies characters almost always use Zippos to light gas pools and so on by throwing the lighter onto them. Seems like an odd thing to do to me but its a massive movie meme.

 

[Slash McCoy]

You should get a belt holster for it. Lighter fluid seepage or fumes can put a burn on your leg if it is in your pocket.

The old flints you could easily carry a spare or two between the felt and the cotton. They last a long time anyway. A wick will last your entire lifetime if you use decent fuel.

Yeah they evaporate. And also the flame is not super hot. Best is one of the blowtorch type windproof refillable butane lighters. Can be had for $20 to $40. Some even cheaper. Very hot flame focused in a pinpoint. Great for starting a fire under adverse conditions. A bic sucks in the wind. Only works if you have a good fire starter such as dryer lint or something like that. Cotton balls soaked with something flammable are good too. Magnesium fire starters are okay. A zippo is actually okay if you bring along some lighter fluid. Not a big can though. Find a very small solvent resistant plastic vial of some kind is my suggestion. For just a day or two at the most, don't bother... just fill your zippo before you leave civilization.

A prudent navigator always has two completely redundant and separate means of determining his position. A prudent rock climber always has two ropes. A football team doesn't take the field with just one quarterback. A wilderness adventurer is stupid to only have one means of starting a fire. Yes, Bic lighters suck. But for 99 cents it is a backup worth having, no matter what your primary means of firestarting might be.

BE CAREFUL in dry areas. Respect "No Burn" zones and conditions. Protect your fire from wind and do your part to prevent flying embers or burnable stuff on or in the ground from spreading your fire. Keep it small, for several reasons, not least of which is common fire safety. Never leave a fire untended. Banked coals is a bad idea. Put it out at night. You can always make another fire in the morning, and part burned wood catches quickly anyway. Consider a small white gas stove or similar, for cooking. It leaves a smaller footprint in a pristine wilderness, but still be careful not to set the woods afire. Make Smokey The Bear proud of you.

 

[cb91710]

A prudent navigator always has two completely redundant and separate means of determining his position. A prudent rock climber always has two ropes. A football team doesn't take the field with just one quarterback. A wilderness adventurer is stupid to only have one means of starting a fire. Yes, Bic lighters suck. But for 99 cents it is a backup worth having, no matter what your primary means of firestarting might be.

Technical Scuba is even more stringent. "Two is one, one is none"... For air/gas, scooter (motor and batteries), and lighting, everything is triple-redundant. 1/3rd of your gas is for the trip to the destination, 1/3rd is for the trip back to the surface, and 1/3rd belongs to your buddy.
Likewise with lighting... large HID or LED canister light, plus two 3/C-cell scout lights as a backup. I also carried a couple of AA backups in a thigh pocket.

 

[maxman]

I've got a Zippo and a Colibri lighter.
The Zippo is nice but if you need that really fast heat then the jet torch type like the Colibri is better.
Whatever you choose, always carry a backup.
Weather proof matches seem a little simple, but they have come in handy in the bush more than once.

 

[velocityboy]

You can buy butane inserts that will transform any regular Zippo lighter into a butane torch lighter. I have this one and it works perfectly.

 

[packersfan117]

I have several Zippos, but the fact that youneed to have fuel with you puts a damper on the effectiveness. I would advise you to have a backup plan if you do decide on it though; some waterproof matches or a Bic lighter are good options. When I go camping, I typically have 3 lighters on me (but then again, I do smoke pipes).

 

[f86sabjf]

a little trick but a good starter fuel is right in your house. Grab the lint outta the dryer save it and stuff it in toilet paper roll tubes. Weighs nothing works great