Douglass Field-S Oil Lighter

[Pilsner]

Had mine apart so I thought I would post a picture.

I’m liking that photo a lot!

 

[Pomsbz]

Inspired by this thread I've bought some aliexpress lighters to see if I can find a replacement for my usual mini bic. Not that there's anything wrong with said mini bic but I was looking for perhaps a more classy option which was still just as replaceable (i.e. not expensive). Wind proof is a big plus of course.

So we have the mini bic for scale. As well as a Thrym zippo case thing which although it has rubber seals, doesn't give me more than a month or so of fuel retention. The two on the left are brass and have seals, the far left (Chief) is the smallest and is currently sitting in my pocket. It's really cute. The second from the left (Zorro) is brushed brass, a bit more hefty and has a fuel window which is very useful on an EDC lighter, you can tell if you need to fill up before going out. The middle one is a pipe lighter by Chief and despite the nice packaging, it's been extremely unreliable so far. You pull open to light and it simply doesn't work all that often. I'm going to see if I drowned the flint or striker when filling and if it gets better with time. (EDIT, nope, it's simply unreliable, I changed the flint, dried it out, still doesn't light very often)

I've filled them all up to the brim including the Thrym and I'm going to see how much fuel retention I get, checking every few days or at least whenever I remember.

 

[Venice]

Inspired by this thread I've bought some aliexpress lighters to see if I can find a replacement for my usual mini bic. Not that there's anything wrong with said mini bic but I was looking for perhaps a more classy option which was still just as replaceable (i.e. not expensive). Wind proof is a big plus of course.

So we have the mini bic for scale. As well as a Thrym zippo case thing which although it has rubber seals, doesn't give me more than a month or so of fuel retention. The two on the left are brass and have seals, the far left (Chief) is the smallest and is currently sitting in my pocket. It's really cute. The second from the left (Zorro) is brushed brass, a bit more hefty and has a fuel window which is very useful on an EDC lighter, you can tell if you need to fill up before going out. The middle one is a pipe lighter by Chief and despite the nice packaging, it's been extremely unreliable so far. You pull open to light and it simply doesn't work all that often. I'm going to see if I drowned the flint or striker when filling and if it gets better with time. (EDIT, nope, it's simply unreliable, I changed the flint, dried it out, still doesn't light very often)

I've filled them all up to the brim including the Thrym and I'm going to see how much fuel retention I get, checking every few days or at least whenever I remember.

Very nice. Because of this thread I did the same thing and bought a couple lighters that I have no need for. I guess that is part of the fun of collecting stuff.
I got an original IMCO and a Douglass Neo. I like the two on the left. Do they appear to be real brass or a coating?

 

[Pomsbz]

Very nice. Because of this thread I did the same thing and bought a couple lighters that I have no need for. I guess that is part of the fun of collecting stuff.
I got an original IMCO and a Douglass Neo. I like the two on the left. Do they appear to be real brass or a coating?

I think they're real.

 

[Pomsbz]

and a couple of months later, despite their seals they hold fuel no better than a zippo. Looks great, unreliable. I'm back to the mini bic, it just works!

 

[unwisefool]

and a couple of months later, despite their seals they hold fuel no better than a zippo. Looks great, unreliable. I'm back to the mini bic, it just works!

Are you saying the fuel only lasted a few months or that after a few months it's only lasting about a week like a standard zippo?

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

and a couple of months later, despite their seals they hold fuel no better than a zippo. Looks great, unreliable. I'm back to the mini bic, it just works!

Mine is the same. First couple times I filled it, it lasted a week...now the fuel only lasts 3-5 days.

 

[unwisefool]

Prometheus design werx has their own zippo alternative. The fuel in that has lasted for at least 5 months before needing to be refilled.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Prometheus design werx has their own zippo alternative. The fuel in that has lasted for at least 5 months before needing to be refilled.

Very cool lighters. Thanks for bringing the company to my attention.

 

[Pomsbz]

Are you saying the fuel only lasted a few months or that after a few months it's only lasting about a week like a standard zippo?

The latter. I wish it would last a couple of months!

 

[Pomsbz]

Prometheus design werx has their own zippo alternative. The fuel in that has lasted for at least 5 months before needing to be refilled.

Looks like the ubiquitous peanut lighter?

 

[unwisefool]

Looks like the ubiquitous peanut lighter?

No, this one:

Everything is titanium, even the insert.

 

[Pomsbz]

No, this one:View attachment 1551341

Everything is titanium, even the insert.

I didn't see that one. Shame it doesn't take zippo inserts.

 

[unwisefool]

I didn't see that one. Shame it doesn't take zippo inserts.

I guess, but if you want to use a zippo insert I would just grab a zippo.

 

[Pomsbz]

I guess, but if you want to use a zippo insert I would just grab a zippo.

I smoke a pipe and the zippo pipe insert is the best I've found for the pipe smoker. Hence my interest in whether it can fit the zippo insert.

 

[unwisefool]

I smoke a pipe and the zippo pipe insert is the best I've found for the pipe smoker. Hence my interest in whether it can fit the zippo insert.

Oh ok I thought you were referring to the butane inserts. I was thinking well what's the point of that, the fuel won't evaporate. But the pipe insert uses regular zippo lighter fluid, right?

 

[Pomsbz]

Oh ok I thought you were referring to the butane inserts. I was thinking well what's the point of that, the fuel won't evaporate. But the pipe insert uses regular zippo lighter fluid, right?

Yeah, afraid so. I only smoke outdoors so windproof is a must.

 

[Venice]

and a couple of months later, despite their seals they hold fuel no better than a zippo. Looks great, unreliable. I'm back to the mini bic, it just works!

We're talking about the Douglass knock-off, right? I got my Douglass Neo (authentic) and IMCO both over a month ago and both still fire up after filling once when I got them. My Douglass looks like a great seal which is why I got the Neo and it seems like it will go indefinitely under storage. I won't fill until it is dry to see how long it lasts. I don't use them much but fire them up 4-5 time/week.
Sorry your didn't work out.

 

[Pomsbz]

We're talking about the Douglass knock-off, right? I got my Douglass Neo (authentic) and IMCO both over a month ago and both still fire up after filling once when I got them. My Douglass looks like a great seal which is why I got the Neo and it seems like it will go indefinitely under storage. I won't fill until it is dry to see how long it lasts. I don't use them much but fire them up 4-5 time/week.
Sorry your didn't work out.

I bought them for a trial of concept before putting the money down for the Douglass.

 

[unwisefool]

I bought them for a trial of concept before putting the money down for the Douglass.

Hmm not sure it's fair to compare the knockoffs performance to the real thing.