Smokers- do you use a Zippo?
 

I've always wanted to do a Zippo thread, and with all the new smoking/ashtray threads I figured this is the perfect time.

I don't smoke, but I have a couple of Zippo tape measures with advertising on them; they got me to thinking that some of the folks that follow this BBS probably have zippos with great stories.

Now's the time to show and tell!

Only zippo I have is the one my father got me when i graduated basic training, it has the army crest on it I don't use it though, petroleum and Cigars just isn't right. I've got a variety of touch butane lighter and a dunhill that sees near daily use and an ST Dupont that almost never sees use because it's an overpriced brick of **** that never works.

I might smoke a cigar a few times a week, or when walking the dogs.

But I carry a pocket lighter out of habit in case I ever decide to light one up. The Zippo fluid does not mix with cigars well, but the torch lighters do. I have gotten a few different lighters as gifts. I keep all the fancy lighters (Colibri, Rocky Patel) at home.

There is an insert that you can buy for a Zippo that will turn it into a torch lighter. I found that the Ronson lighter is much cheaper, and works better as a torch than the Zippo.

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Many years ago I carried a zippo.
Had to stop as they kept growing legs. Folks would "accidentally" forget to put my zippo back and they'd take off with it.
They would have a better memory iffn I had a cheap bic lighter.

Nowadays I just carry a flint, a steel, and some magnesium.

they gotta be serious about it ..........

Here's my zippo's

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363815775.jpg

so you have Zippo tape measures?

Had a Zippo log time ago just because they look so cool.

But they just smell bad... wouldn't dream of lighting a expensive cigar... or even a stinky little cigarette with one... they are pretty much only good for lighting camp fires IMHO.

That's right. 2 of 'em.

That's an interesting fun-fact about the zippo stink. I never would have given that a moment's thought until now! I guess that's why you only see them in the movies these days.

Walgreens sells Zippo lighters though. They even carry the cool black one.

I used zippo when I smoked. Still have one made in 1982...a 50th anniversary commenrative made of brass...a replica of the first zippo made it 1932, it was engraved by zippo with a replica of my signature. I doubt they do that these days.

I also have one I bought from a stoddard's ad back in the late 60's....think I paid $6.95 for it...it has the Porsche Crest bonded to it's front.

Btw guys, don't spend a bunch on lighter fluid. It's really just (naptha) Coleman fuel...a gallon of coleman fuel & you have lighter fluid for life..until the cigarettes kill you.

Also, zippo does have the best guarantee of any product...it really is true that if it ever stops working, they fix it for free.

I have a bunch of Zippos. Chrome, silver, brushed silver, brushed chrome, red, black, etc.
Zippo makes a pipe lighter that I have a few of as well.
It has the top portion closed off and 2 big holes on the side of the aerated neck. So you can hold the lighter sideways to fill a pipe bowl with flame.
I like Zippos, it's the only lighter i will use.

That explains at least part of it ................

I have tons of vintage boxed, never-used Zippos mainly from the 50's & early 60's that belonged to my Father. Most are aviation related (even a presentation model that flew on the first flight of the Lockheed C-130). Many other non-Zippos as well, even two Coca-Cola promos (made by Bluebird) that have a wind-up tiny music box in each. Have thought about selling some, a friend who collects Coca Cola stuff said that those two usually go for north of $500 each. Also have a 50 cal lighter (the bullet is the actual lighter).

Anyone know the Zippo flick and finger snap?

Cheers Richard

funny thing....took my wife and kids to my Mothers house for dinner couple weeks ago, after dinner my Mother goes upstairs and comes back down with a zippo that her and my Father confiscated from me when I was about 14 yrs old...Lol

She gave it back to me, this thread pops up and for the life of me I have no idea where I put it

Recently read an article (don't remember where?) that Zippos of that era and older can be very valuable collector-wise. IIRC one criteria is the lid hinge has to be on the outside of the case. Apparently it is not on the new models ?

Still have both of mine, but they are butane and not the liquid stuff.

Oh yeah, all of these are external hinges, all are still in original boxes and some even have a little velvet pouch inside the box. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. Who knows, maybe I can find out what they are worth and get some Porsche parts!

With the original boxes and velvet cases, it would certainly be worthwhile to check out your collections value. Again, I just browsed overthe article but it seemed the really hot market for them was in Japan?

I haven't smoked in over 10 years but have kept my assorted Zippos. They're just too cool to throw away. Plus they remind me of my dad----which is better discussed in the memory thread......

My daily use dunhill and Zino Platinum cutter
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...212_160135.jpg
My Zippo
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps2a5a6d82.jpg

+100 I would never use it for a cigar. I have a bunch of them NIB, some kinda collectible but use one? No..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363846545.jpg

Picked this one up at a yard sale... keep forgetting to run it on Ebay.

Well you got to remember that when Zippos became so popular the Bic and other disposable gas lighters were not out yet. So the Zippos were about the best around, plus their claim to fame was they could be used in some wind.

The flick and finger snap was common with troops in V.N. the lighter was held lengthwise between the tips of the fingers and the tip of the thumb, with the top toward the thumb. Then squeezed tightly til it flipped to the flat and upright position quickly enough for the lid to flip open in the process. Then the other hand is held close to the striker and a snap of the fingers turns the striker and sparks it.

Funny what people will entertain themselves with, no?

Cheers Richard

When I was 14, I decided to take up smoking.

I bought a Zippo, practiced the finger-snap trick and generally just wanted to look like a badass. I smoked an entire pack of Marlboros on my first day as a smoker and lost my voice for about a week. I never touched a cigarette again, but occasionally still enjoy a cigar.

I still have the Zippo in my desk drawer.

I use a Bugatti torch lighter for my cigars. As mentioned above, Zippo's leave a bad taste when enjoying a cigar and the butane of the torch lighter does not.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363879228.jpg

OK, got a few of the boxes out and am starting to take some pics. I did not remember all the different sizes, but I have found 4 in the "Traditional look" maked Zippos. The battery on my camera died after the 1st pic, so I'll start with these: Top row, l-r: C-130 maiden flight, GE, General Precision, United Air Lines, Capital Airlines Viscount, General Dynamics Convair 21.

Bottom row: Castle Harbor Yacht Club, Motorola, Braniff Airlines, Douglas RB66 Maiden flight 6/28/54, Rocket City Air, TWA

more to come after battery is charged.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363882647.jpg

One more after a short charge: Norair, Haveg Aircraft Products, Shell Aviation, Airco Supply Co, Bendix International, Goodyear Aerospace, Bell Aerosystems.

Still many more Zippos to come, plus other "art deco" lighters. Would really love to find if there is a market for these and where to look for values. All have boxes. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363883118.jpg

A few more Zippos and other assorted lighters:
Top row, l-r: American Airlines, Airways Systems, Sweet Sue, Ryan, Coke (one of the "Bluebird" music boxes

Middle row, l-r: Republic Airways, Coke, Capital Airlines, Montego Bay, ALA. Football

Bottom row: KLM Airlines (not Zippo), 50cal lighter
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363895291.jpg

It does not go well with pipes either. I have a pipe model Zippo which quickly converted me to a Lotus butane.

One more for today:
top row, l-r: Capital Airlines, Capital Airlines, Braniff, TWA, Piedmont

middle row: Air France, Lufthansa, Princess, Gulas, Winston

bottom row: Playboy Club, Wyly Labs, Pan American (cigar/pipe lighter?)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1363896389.jpg

^ I love those old airlines Zippos !!

rouroux that is one damn impressive collection. Hard to remember a time you could smoke on a plane, until one sees that bit of history!

Aren't those airline ones Ronsons?

I remember when they smoked on a plane. My 1st-wife and I were put in the smoking section of 1st class on a 747, Hawaii to LA, 1989. Someone lit up in the non-smoking section. She called a stew over and forced them to put it out!

She HATED people that smoked.

yes sir, in that pic many of those are Ronsons, and other brands that look just like Ronsons (some are in a fancy script, will have to get a magnifying glass to read them. HAve a few more boxes, mainly from airlines and companies that furnished parts/services to the space program in the late 50's/early 60's. This was the contents of 1 of many filled shoeboxes. ;) The Coca Cola Bluebirds (one red, one white) play different songs. One is from a Coke jingle in the early 60's, and the other plays "Dixie".

I see the Ronsons.

I grabbed my grandfather's old Ronson from the old house just before it was demolished. I want to restore it to working condition.

I was talking about the old airlines Zippos in the top pic. I have some old airlines pins that they gave out to kids in the 1970s (American, Delta, United, Pan Am).

Don't smoke, but..........
 

I have two of my Dad's Zippos from WWII. Both still work, or rather would if I put in some lighter fluid. These two lighters spent about 2 years in the CBI theater (China, Burma, India) and one was in his pocket when he took supplies up the Burma Ledo road to Mitckiyna (SP?) after it was retaken by the Merrills Marauders. If only those two little suckers could talk!

My father has smoked all of my life. As a kid, I was intrigued by his lighter. I thought it was the most awesome piece of technology in the world because they had somehow managed to get a fishing lure inside the lighter. It was a Scripto Vu.

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I am not a smoker. Well, I have 3 or 4 cigars a year, but the insurance company says that is below their threshold so "I am not a smoker". I have several Zippos, and an old trench lighter. None are ever used by me. I prefer a cheap, $10 Ronson torch lighter. I like it even better than my snazzy little Colibri.

Quit smoking a few years ago. Still have this in my "Navy Box."


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