Regular Zippo Lighter in Backpack - Possible Leaking??

LightGuy

LightGuy

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I just purchased a regular Zippo lighter as a second source of fire (I also have a firesteel). Since these have lighter fluid in them, do I need to worry about it leaking in my pack? I just got a nice 5.11 Rush 12 for Christmas and I'd hate to have lighter fluid leaking all over it..

Thanks in advance!
 
Or you can get a Thunderbird flint ignition, candle flame, butane zippo insert. I got one a little while back and it's done a great job. No leaks, adjustable flame, and a reliable flint ignition.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Or you can get a Thunderbird flint ignition, candle flame, butane zippo insert. I got one a little while back and it's done a great job. No leaks, adjustable flame, and a reliable flint ignition.
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Very interested in this modification...are these different parts I need to get, or a complete kit? I guess I could wrap it per the advice above, but I'd really rather make it leak-proof if possible.

Thanks for the info!
 
It's a one-piece replacement for the guts of the zippo. Just pull out the old one and plop in the new one (after filling it with butane of course!)

Not my photo, but the Thunderbird is the insert on the right.
SN854710.jpg
 
You probably already know, but if you fill your Zippo up and put it in your pocket it will burn (rash) your leg. Ouch, I remember getting those in grade school. The other thing that happened to mine was that I leaned a trick where you put your first two fingers on top of the Zippo and your thumb on the bottom to snap the thing open; anywise, flipping the Zippo open like that caused the hinge on the lid to become loose which in turn caused the lighter to dry up faster… then a possibility for another burn on the leg. The slickest I’ve seen are those belt sheaths though.
 
I carry a zippo in my pocket every day and I've never had a burn or rash or any leaking that I'm aware of from it. When you fill it only put enough fluid in to saturate the cotton ball things inside, if you see it filling up with fluid that's too much and it'll leak.
A bit of rubber tubing around the case wouldn't hurt though and it would help prevent it evaporating too fast.
 
Yeah, leaking is not the problem, evaporation is. If you're going to leave it in your pack long term, don't fill it at all, just put a can of fluid in the pack, too. Or just throw in a few Bic lighters. They won't leak and if you lose 'em you're only out a coupla bux.
 
I keep a zippo in my bag and or pocket all the time and have never had it leak. Even if it did leak it wouldn't get anything wet in your pack it would just evaporate.
 
VA27 said:
Yeah, leaking is not the problem, evaporation is. If you're going to leave it in your pack long term, don't fill it at all, just put a can of fluid in the pack, too. Or just throw in a few Bic lighters. They won't leak and if you lose 'em you're only out a coupla bux.
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That's why I like the butane insert. No leaks. Also, I can crank the flame up in windy conditions.
 
A standard Zippo will leak/evaporate regardless. A tight new one will probably last a week, a loose older instance or imitation lighter will probably last 3 days or so. You can slow the evaporation by placing a piece of rubber tube over the seam between the lid and body, and it will stay fueled much longer ...

But If you want something that will stay fueled for a very long time, AND can still be made to work a few different fuels, look into a 'peanut lighter'. County Com used to sell them. They use the same whicks and flints as a Zippo, but they have a screw on cap with an O-ring seal. They will stayed fueled up for months or even a year+, are made of stainless steel, and cost less than a Zippo. Win.

The 'Metal Match' is another viable long-term alternative to the Zippo. I own all three (Zippo, Metal Match, and Peanut), and I would never use the Zippo for anything serious when I own the other two.
 
They only leak if you overfill them so it'll be fine. One thing I read online was to take the batting out of the bottom and fluff them up. This allows them to soak up more lighter fluid and helps them last longer. I also adjusted the wick so the top of the wick is level with the middle of the wheel to increase the reliability. Works great now. I usually fill it before going camping so I've not had problems with evaporation running it dry.
 
I carry a zippo in a Maxped pack and/or pocket all the time and I've never developed any burning or a rash, nor have I had any leaking. However, the lighter fluid does evaporate quickly if you leave the zippo open or frequently play with it.
-I've owned several butane lighters (some cheap and some up to $50) and I have always had problems with them.
The classic Zippo with a BIC and firesteel as backup serves me just fine.
 
the problem with most butane lighters is they use a piezo ignition. No matter how fancy the lighter the piezo burns out quickly. That's why I like my flint ignition butane insert.
 
I carried a Zippo for years and along the way I learned several things. They will leak if you overfill. You can increase the capacity by adding cotton ball packing and you can improve the ability to utilize the fluid that is in there by using a replacement wick and weaving it over and under the cotton as it is packed. The correct size wire from a paper clip makes a pretty fair hinge repair. Now I am going to buy a peanut. I wish you guys would quit telling me stuff I didn't know about. This is getting expensive.
 
Check the peanuts out carefully, the ones that I bought were very junky - o rings coming off when you unscrew the lid, etc. My zippos last about 3 weeks before needing a refill due to evaporation.
 
sodak said:
Check the peanuts out carefully, the ones that I bought were very junky - o rings coming off when you unscrew the lid, etc. My zippos last about 3 weeks before needing a refill due to evaporation.
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I've not had luck with the peanut I bought either. Couldn't get it to light worth a darn and like you the O rings came off if the cap was tightened. It was a brand mentioned a couple posts up.
 
VA27 said:
Yeah, leaking is not the problem, evaporation is. If you're going to leave it in your pack long term, don't fill it at all, just put a can of fluid in the pack, too. Or just throw in a few Bic lighters. They won't leak and if you lose 'em you're only out a coupla bux.
Click to expand...

Thats what I finally did after 35 years of being a Zippo user. Got tired of it going dry on me without warning, leaking fuel after a fill up, and the stink when I would light my pipe. I went to Bic's and have not looked back. Been years now that I carried a Zippo. I had one Bic go dry on my, and I dug into my emergency bag for the Bic that had been there for over 4 years, still in the factory plastic wrapper. It worked just fine after all that time. Still had all the fuel in it.

I find it easier to just keep a few spare Bic's around in the wrapper. I like the Zippo for the nostalgia, but it's a dated tool.

Carl.
 
I like Zippos for the nostalgia but rarely carry one anymore. I have and do use the Peanut lighter which has retained fuel for over a year. Another option is to pack along Zippo's little fuel container which I haven't checked it but it too has retained fuel for over a year and holds enough for a full Zippo filling.

ROCK6
 
Nobody can knock the ol' trusty BIC.
And ROCK6 is right, I need is one of those little Zippo fuel containers. It really does get old having to chase the lighter fluid can...but then I'll be chasing another can to fill that can...shit
I'm also inerested in the idea that you can retain more fluid and use it more efficiently by cramming cotton wrapped in fuse into the box.
Sounds legit...does it work?
But now I too am in the market for a peanut lighter. Where can I find one that is worth a damn?
 
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