User Panel
It’s hard to disagree.
I have a few Zippos that are always empty, and a few torches that are neat but a little finicky in cold weather. My favorite torch isn’t made any more. It’s a Brunton Helios. I didn’t know if it would work any more, and I couldn’t hear it or see the flame when tried it last week. It worked. My fingertip blister is evidence. |
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Quoted: I love my Zippo's but my IMCO triplex lighters are far superior. For the Bic & other lighters, as the saying goes, quantity is a quality all of its own. Throw one in every cubby hole & back pack you have & if they didn't get broke, they'll be great. http://images.buya.com/production/Images/ITEMS/Zbb/08/35/b37c6821469d45a2ac05e56eb7.jpg View Quote Those are neat, but will also dry out over time. They are for regular use, just like a zippo. |
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Quoted: Those are neat, but will also dry out over time. They are for regular use, just like a zippo. View Quote I carry a lighter daily not for smoking but to have a lighter. When I used to carry the IMCO (which I stopped not too long after they went out of business) it would usually last about 3 months before I needed to refill it. My zippo can usually go a week to 10 days before it needs filled. That's why that gasket I put on it has been nice since it's lasted over 2 weeks now with that on. It would be nice if it will last as long as the IMCO, but I doubt it. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Keep them in an inside pocket and it's not a problem or just rub them between you hands for a few seconds and it'll warm them up enough too. Bics are great, cheap enough you can just scatter them everywhere, I did have one explode from the summer heat when stored in my pickup. The only real drawback is they can be a pain to use in the wind. Make a wind tunnel out if your hand. |
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Quoted: How many people here remember when Bics had wheels to regulate how much butane you got? They were bitchin' for shooting fire from your mouth. View Quote If you took the wind screen off you could really turn up the flow. I had one turned up to where it would shoot a 12" flame. I was using it at a Judas Priest concert and it got Rob Halford's attention. |
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I got one of these. Exotac Titan Light.
All the awesomeness of a Zippo, none of the evaporating. It's water sealed too. Attached File |
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When I smoked, I carried a Zippo but had to make a belt sheath after suffering a couple fluid burns from pocket leaks. I have to say Bics were pretty good and torches are too easily clogged by not super refined butane. Wife got me a usb electric and it doesn’t charge anymore, lulz
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I have a couple brass Zippos with the Zippo butane insert. One is the dual jet, the other the single jet. My experience has been the single jet is the way to go. Still plenty of fire and it lasts longer on a fill than the dual jet does.
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Quoted: Rather than start a new thread. What's the best Zippo insert? I carried a Zippo for years, both regular and pipe styles but got sick of messing with the fluid so I've been back to the ol trusty Bics for a while now. View Quote I tried the dual-torch butane insert, but it seemed to burn (ha-ha) through fuel really fast. I switched to the single-torch insert, and I use that for cigars. For the pipe, I use a regular Bic, as the torch doesn't seem to work all that well with the pipe. I had to do the "Zippo adjustment trick" on both inserts to get them to work correctly. |
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Quoted: I'd love to say it's the old warhorse we all know & love: https://i.etsystatic.com/15068995/r/il/6caf8c/3224972873/il_1140xN.3224972873_c64w.jpg But let's face it, the darn thing is always dry when you go to use it. Plus, don't fall in the water; it won't work after that w/o being taken apart, fully dried, and then re-filled. I absolutely love these things for torching my see-gars: https://s.yimg.com/aah/a-zlighters/visol-hybrid-usb-matte-black-triple-torch-cigar-lighter-7.gif But they fail on the KISS principle. And do they leak over time? I seem to always need to re-fill the cheap one I got. Frankly, I think the best possible all-around, always-works lighter is, as boring as it is, this: https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/136af597-9f8d-424c-97dc-d135d0545133_1.cb3864fd2ad910386cf2e698a6522807.jpeg They are the Glock of the lighter world: drab, wholly unexciting... and they always work. What sayeth you, O hivemind? Anything better? View Quote @M1907Sling Had the Thyrm Zippo case for a few days now and did a couple of submersion tests with and without Zippo insert. Only submerged in a glass of water each time and both times were good to go. Second time (with insert), seen a small, single bubble rise but I believe it was just an air pocket locked by surface tension that finally released. Lit right up. The case is a little awkward in hand due to the locking pawl but otherwise it’s solid. Attached File Attached File ETA: With the seal being watertight, I’d say to a fair degree, I think it’ll keep fluid for a long, long time. |
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For cigars I only use my 23 yr old zippo it was the first present my girlfriend later wife bought me.
If you use a zippo once a week to light cigars you can keep it wrapped in plastic wrap when not in use and it will last a month in between refills. For pipe smoking or lighting the grill or wood stove I use a bic. |
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Quoted: @M1907Sling Had the Thyrm Zippo case for a few days now and did a couple of submersion tests with and without Zippo insert. Only submerged in a glass of water each time and both times were good to go. Second time (with insert), seen a small, single bubble rise but I believe it was just an air pocket locked by surface tension that finally released. Lit right up. The case is a little awkward in hand due to the locking pawl but otherwise it's solid. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/384478/489CE44D-5FC5-4234-8CC3-A75E1A783120_jpe-2755527.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/384478/875A5D60-3952-481E-AEE4-CF68DF3C76EA_jpe-2755530.JPG ETA: With the seal being watertight, I'd say to a fair degree, I think it'll keep fluid for a long, long time. View Quote relevant is surely welcome. |
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Quoted: Ronson from the checkout lane at Walmart. Refillable butane torch with zippo form factor. Under ten bucks. Zippos lose fuel. Butane insert for zippo alone costs more than the Ronson and isn't as good. View Quote I have two of the Ronsons bought years apart. Refill them with quality distilled butane and they last a long time. |
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Quoted: I've done the innertube trick it works OK. I like those little inserts, though. The Exotac cover for a Bic is really nice. I keep it in my hiking day pack. I also got an Exotac Titanlight. Very nice. As far as I can tell, it doesn't leak lighter fuel at all. Titanlight I'm also a big fan of the Uco Stormproof matches. They burn like a road flare. Stormproof View Quote I've had the exact opposite experience. The o-ring keeps the fuel from leaking out, but every time I use it the cap and whole top section are full of fuel and soaked and the reservoir is empty. I've made sure to use the recommended 2 caps or less of fuel too. Super frustrating. |
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Quoted: Windmill JP Windproof, made in Japan, 2mm thick armor aluminum case, lanyard loop, and windproof to 70mph. https://i.redd.it/71okwl3qdjj11.jpg https://i.redd.it/bu4ja56yz2p11.jpg Use Newport butane for optimum reliability. View Quote They’re discontinued. I had a JP Delta once and it was junk. |
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Quoted: All this BIC talk, and nary a comment on Djeep unless I missed it. It's like a premium BIC made in France or somewhere fancy. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: All this BIC talk, and nary a comment on Djeep unless I missed it. It's like a premium BIC made in France or somewhere fancy. Quoted: Djeep master race checking in. It's all I used back when I smoked. now i just need something to start the backyard fire, and use a bernz-o-matic torch. Your post was after his, 12 days later, on the same page though. |
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All this talk of butane inserts for Zippos had me go grab the Thunderbird insert I have laying around. Fucker still lights up.
Threw it in a Zippo, found out when Zippos is closed, I can still hear it leaking gas. No wonder that bitch was always empty when I tried to use it. I've still got a can of butane, Zippo brand butane inserts not leak? I like my USB charge electric inserts, but I like FIRE better! |
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Vertigo Cyclone
Still using the one I bought when I started smoking cigars in 2020. Probably lit $2500 worth of cigars with it and I don’t expect it to die any time soon. |
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Quoted: 10 years ago I would have said Bic, but I've never thrown away so many dead ones as I have recently. Ive dug old Bics out of creek beds when I was a kid and you could bang the dirt out of them and they'd still light. View Quote I don't know. I don't smoke, but a mini Bic is always in my pocket. The current one is about a year old. I just flicked it. It fired up. The old full size were amazing. One full sized Bic has been in my tool cabinet at work for 17 years. It was about a year old when it was deposited there. I use it occasionally to light an Oxy-Acetylene torch or to burn a rope end. I X-rayed it a while back with a flashlight. Still has 1/4 of it's fuel. Amazing little device i probably bought for 75 cents almost 20 years ago. |
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Quoted: Zippos are garbage Bics are for the long run View Quote I would not say Zippos are garbage. They are just old tech. I bought a Zippo solely for nostalgia's sake after installing a wood stove in my house. Dad always had Zippos back before he finally quit smoking. I was fascinated by it. Fascination ended after the first time i filled and used it. Lit one fire, but was bone dry for the next attempt. It, spare flints and lighter juice are still in a kitchen cabinet. I light fat wood with a Bic or matches. |
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Show me a 50 year old bic, LOL. Show me a bic you can refill, LOL. I haven't bought a new zippo in awhile so maybe their quality isn't what it used to be but the ones I have will out live any of you. Show me a bic that will do that.
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Quoted: For cigars I only use my 23 yr old zippo it was the first present my girlfriend later wife bought me. If you use a zippo once a week to light cigars you can keep it wrapped in plastic wrap when not in use and it will last a month in between refills. For pipe smoking or lighting the grill or wood stove I use a bic. View Quote Why use a Zippo to light a cigar and a Bic for pipes? I assume you use the Bic for pipes to avoid sucking lighter fluid into the tobacco, and it does the same thing to cigars. I’ve was told to use a wood match for pipes and cigars. I used Bics when I smoked cigarettes a long time ago. I haven’t smoked in a decade+, so YMMV. |
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Quoted: I remember. If you took the wind screen off you could really turn up the flow. I had one turned up to where it would shoot a 12" flame. I was using it at a Judas Priest concert and it got Rob Halford's attention. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: How many people here remember when Bics had wheels to regulate how much butane you got? They were bitchin' for shooting fire from your mouth. If you took the wind screen off you could really turn up the flow. I had one turned up to where it would shoot a 12" flame. I was using it at a Judas Priest concert and it got Rob Halford's attention. +1 |
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Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42280/IMG_5257-2755107.jpg Zippo with a pipe insert. Works great, YMMV. When I smoked cigarettes, I always had a regular Zippo, just gassed it up every couple days. I've got my Dad's he carried in WWII, once in a while I'll fill it and play around, but I'm scared to lose it so it's a 'safe queen' lighter. View Quote Try the soft flame butane insert. |
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This thread had me go and get another bic multi-pack. Dang has everything gone up in price.
It was still 7-8 bucks with the $2 off coupon. |
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Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/157230/BIC_jpeg-2740961.JPGGot a bunch of these from Costa Rica and they are great for lighting all kinds of stuff. Super easy to replace a dead lighter. Way better than those stupid long childproof ones we get here. View Quote Very cool doesn't look like they're available in US anyone have a link?? |
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Quoted: I got one of these. Exotac Titan Light. All the awesomeness of a Zippo, none of the evaporating. It's water sealed too. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/455361/6ACBD448-0619-4574-B4B3-22042DAA2145_jpe-2741217.JPG View Quote Looks like the WW2 German trench lighters I used to carry around growing up. Grandpa brought a bunch of them back after the war. |
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Quoted: Why use a Zippo to light a cigar and a Bic for pipes? I assume you use the Bic for pipes to avoid sucking lighter fluid into the tobacco, and it does the same thing to cigars. I’ve was told to use a wood match for pipes and cigars. I used Bics when I smoked cigarettes a long time ago. I haven’t smoked in a decade+, so YMMV. View Quote I use a bic to light pipes to avoid charing the rim of the pipe. I have tried the pipe insert but did not really like it. I haven’t had any lighter fluid taste in my cigars and the wife will smoke a cigar as well at the pub we go to, we both use the zippo. |
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Quoted: I keep a bic in my cars and quad in an exotac firesleeve: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1829/8159/products/fireSLEEVE_Orange_and_Black_Pers_1024x1024.jpg?v=1595957450 View Quote Reminds me back in the day of Larue fan bois buying Larue mounts for their Chinese knockoff scopes. |
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Quoted: Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42280/IMG_5257-2755107.jpg Zippo with a pipe insert. Works great, YMMV. When I smoked cigarettes, I always had a regular Zippo, just gassed it up every couple days. I've got my Dad's he carried in WWII, once in a while I'll fill it and play around, but I'm scared to lose it so it's a 'safe queen' lighter. Try the soft flame butane insert. Just got one today. Seems leak proof, unlike the Thunderbird butane insert it replaces. It also has FIRE so I like it way better than my electric inserts already. Question now, how long does the fuel last before I refill. I smoke about a pack a day. |
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Quoted: Just got one today. Seems leak proof, unlike the Thunderbird butane insert it replaces. It also has FIRE so I like it way better than my electric inserts already. Question now, how long does the fuel last before I refill. I smoke about a pack a day. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42280/IMG_5257-2755107.jpg Zippo with a pipe insert. Works great, YMMV. When I smoked cigarettes, I always had a regular Zippo, just gassed it up every couple days. I've got my Dad's he carried in WWII, once in a while I'll fill it and play around, but I'm scared to lose it so it's a 'safe queen' lighter. Try the soft flame butane insert. Just got one today. Seems leak proof, unlike the Thunderbird butane insert it replaces. It also has FIRE so I like it way better than my electric inserts already. Question now, how long does the fuel last before I refill. I smoke about a pack a day. Probably a while. I use it for pipes, and that requires a lot more fire. I fill it once a week, it’s never ran out. |
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Quoted: Excellent! I'm also going to send one in for repair on the hinge. I wonder what the lead time is like on that. Probably a while. I use it for pipes, and that requires a lot more fire. I fill it once a week, it’s never ran out. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42280/IMG_5257-2755107.jpg Zippo with a pipe insert. Works great, YMMV. When I smoked cigarettes, I always had a regular Zippo, just gassed it up every couple days. I've got my Dad's he carried in WWII, once in a while I'll fill it and play around, but I'm scared to lose it so it's a 'safe queen' lighter. Try the soft flame butane insert. Just got one today. Seems leak proof, unlike the Thunderbird butane insert it replaces. It also has FIRE so I like it way better than my electric inserts already. Question now, how long does the fuel last before I refill. I smoke about a pack a day. Excellent! I'm also going to send one in for repair on the hinge. I wonder what the lead time is like on that. Probably a while. I use it for pipes, and that requires a lot more fire. I fill it once a week, it’s never ran out. |
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I’m ashamed of the heathens in this thread who admit to lighting their cigars with liquid fuel lighters.
Ronson Jetlite is the way. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42280/IMG_5257-2755107.jpg Zippo with a pipe insert. Works great, YMMV. When I smoked cigarettes, I always had a regular Zippo, just gassed it up every couple days. I've got my Dad's he carried in WWII, once in a while I'll fill it and play around, but I'm scared to lose it so it's a 'safe queen' lighter. Try the soft flame butane insert. Just got one today. Seems leak proof, unlike the Thunderbird butane insert it replaces. It also has FIRE so I like it way better than my electric inserts already. Question now, how long does the fuel last before I refill. I smoke about a pack a day. Excellent! I'm also going to send one in for repair on the hinge. I wonder what the lead time is like on that. Probably a while. I use it for pipes, and that requires a lot more fire. I fill it once a week, it’s never ran out. Not sure. I’m a dealer, and they’re super cheap. I just replace them. |
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Quoted: Not sure. I’m a dealer, and they’re super cheap. I just replace them. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/42280/IMG_5257-2755107.jpg Zippo with a pipe insert. Works great, YMMV. When I smoked cigarettes, I always had a regular Zippo, just gassed it up every couple days. I've got my Dad's he carried in WWII, once in a while I'll fill it and play around, but I'm scared to lose it so it's a 'safe queen' lighter. Try the soft flame butane insert. Just got one today. Seems leak proof, unlike the Thunderbird butane insert it replaces. It also has FIRE so I like it way better than my electric inserts already. Question now, how long does the fuel last before I refill. I smoke about a pack a day. Excellent! I'm also going to send one in for repair on the hinge. I wonder what the lead time is like on that. Probably a while. I use it for pipes, and that requires a lot more fire. I fill it once a week, it’s never ran out. Not sure. I’m a dealer, and they’re super cheap. I just replace them. Sentimental value with this one, so even though it's a basic as fuck, cheap model, I'm still gonna get it fixed. |
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Quoted: https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/Sb1cf639b328842e091b263d595271986W/Lighter-Lighter-Stove-Oven-Bic-Handy-Multipurpose-Rechargeable.jpg_Q90.jpg_.webp Very cool doesn't look like they're available in US anyone have a link?? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/157230/BIC_jpeg-2740961.JPGGot a bunch of these from Costa Rica and they are great for lighting all kinds of stuff. Super easy to replace a dead lighter. Way better than those stupid long childproof ones we get here. https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/Sb1cf639b328842e091b263d595271986W/Lighter-Lighter-Stove-Oven-Bic-Handy-Multipurpose-Rechargeable.jpg_Q90.jpg_.webp Very cool doesn't look like they're available in US anyone have a link?? |
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Quoted: Zippo with the Zippo dual jet butane insert. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/23848/20230325_210545_jpg-2759082.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/23848/20230325_210551_jpg-2759083.JPG View Quote This thread is going to cost me more money, I love the look of the brass ones, but don't have one. FUCK! |
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