Zippo lighters.

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I really like them, I don't know why, but something about them is just neat. I've never smoked and don't plan to. I have my great grandpa's that was made in 73' (I think, got to check the date chart.) I used to carry it as a token of remembrance, plus it was a handy item to have around before I started carrying a flashlight. I about lost it one time and quite carrying it as it is irreplaceable because of sentimental value.

Well I picked up a new one about a week ago to start using/carrying around again as a back up to the flashlight I carry. So now I have to get back in the habit of "topping it off" every other week. I guess it's like why I prefer metal guns over plastic guns even with the more care needed to maintain them I just like Zippo's better than the BIC type lighters.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

So which if any do ya'll prefer? Can we get a "lighter war" going?

And a photo because it did happen. (The one on the left is my Grandpa's.)

 

[arjay]

I've got a zippo my son gave me years ago,but I usually use a bic.I had a bad habit of over filling them and whoosh [emoji33]

 

[Xfuzz]

I started buyin them over 20 years ago.
We were always stopping in antique/re-sale
joints. About the only "guy" thing in these places.
were Zippos.
Had 200+ at one time.
Good advertiser's and oil company's were great seller's.
Made stupid money on ebay....some sold for $400+one went
for $900.00(Aunt Jamima--Syrup).
They have since petered out.
Have a few left.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I'll play . . . Inherited from my father. The top is engraved "Presented by Commanding Officer"

 

[JayCeeNC]

I have 5 or 6, including some from the 1950's and 1960's that belonged to my dad, a pipesmoker.
I use this one every day. Those who've been in the Sandbox will recognize it:

 

[snubbyfan]

Talk about a coincidence, I was just lookin' at a thread on Zippo lighter pouches over at a leatherworkers forum.

 

[UncleEd]

Don't smoke but do have a Jack Daniels as well as a Zippo hand warmer.

 

[Salty RI]

I have several old Zippo lighters and two hand warmers, people used to like the clicking sound when you opened and closed them, you can flick your Bic or click your Zippo.

 

[Oldiron]

I have 15 or so of them, most are some variant of the Coast Guard emblem. Have a couple of the Colt 1911 and some of my Dad's. Still looking for one like I got while I was in boot. Had a big CG emblem on it. Gave it to my Dad and he used it for years.
True story about Zippos, When I was somewhere 10-12 yo, they had let the lake down that is a half mile away. As usual whenever they would do this, my brother and I would walk the waters edge looking for arrow heads and Super Sonic lures. Was at one spot where I had lost several lures and found a Zippo in the mud. Washed the mud out and since it was in reasonable shape I put it in my pocket. On the walk home, I pulled it out, spun the wheel and to my amazement it sparked and lit. Don't know if the new ones would be capable of the same performance.
Larry

 

[Muss Muggins]

Don't smoke but do have a Jack Daniels as well as a Zippo hand warmer.

To this day I don't understand why I never set my pockets on fire with those hand warmers.

 

[Xfuzz]

Couple recent Zippo's I keep
in my small Colt collection.
I like the art work.

 

[LTC]

During my USAF days, while stationed in Japan (1968), I had a Zippo hand engraved by a Japanese engraver. He did an excellent job on the engraving and I loved it. I did smoke at the time.

Fast forward about a year and I am at Langley Field in Va. Unfortunately it goes missing and it never turns up. Heartbroken might be over stating my emotion at the time but I did and still do regret it's loss.

Probably the last Zippo I owned as I quit smoking in 1975.

LTC

 

[tomtheturner]

Have a Zippo desktop next to me as I type. Great for lighting cigars. Also have a Zippo in my pocket.

 

[carpriver]

One of the items I still have from my tour in Vietnam is my Zippo. Like many GI's I had mind engraved with my name and my wife's name. the year and duty station and branch of service. The cap came off I just never sent it back to Zippo to get it fixed.

 

[zeke]

Used zippo's for the years was smoking. Always the plain all brass case version. Wore out more than a couple of em, never sent em to get fixed )used to be for free?)

And yes you can flick a zippo, kinda like snapping your fingers.

 

[LedFowl]

I really like them, I don't know why, but something about them is just neat. I've never smoked and don't plan to.

I've never smoked, either, but I own a few Zippos. Hard to explain.

 

[galena]

My ZIPPO

Here's mine, circa 1972 in the far, far east. I gave it to my interpreter with my unit crest and asked him to have the crest attached. I don't know what they used to attach it but it has never came off. It was in my pocket on a daily basis, my troops said they could tell what I was thinking by listening to the clicks from my front pocket. I gave up smoking in the early 1980s but carried it a bit longer than that. It now resides in my curio cabinet among the other items that have no meaning to anyone but me.

 

[coltle6920]

True story about Zippos, When I was somewhere 10-12 yo, they had let the lake down that is a half mile away. As usual whenever they would do this, my brother and I would walk the waters edge looking for arrow heads and Super Sonic lures. Was at one spot where I had lost several lures and found a Zippo in the mud. Washed the mud out and since it was in reasonable shape I put it in my pocket. On the walk home, I pulled it out, spun the wheel and to my amazement it sparked and lit. Don't know if the new ones would be capable of the same performance.
Larry

Did it have the Glock emblem on it?

 

[LostintheOzone]

Back in the 60's everyone had a Zippo. Ever wonder why nobody uses them anymore? I can tell you from experience. They leak lighter fluid and that stuff will seriously blister your skin. Or, if you fill them too full they will torch and turn your hand into a fireball.

Fun manly stuff.

 

[bgrafsr]

I was given a Zippo when I got out of the USAF in 67. Still have it. Engraved Graf, Webb Air Police 67. Carried it for a long time and then put it up when I quit smoking.