I have a trip coming up that will put me in the middle of the woods for a few weeks, and I thought it might be a good idea to review what I've got and what I need. One of the items that I am considering upgrading is my lighter. I am a smoker, so I always have one on my person, as well as a magnesium fire starter packed in with the rest of the gear.

I have, for years, used a Zippo, but reading one of the articles here has me thinking about going to a refillable butane type. Although the Zippo has served me well, I can't help but to look in envy at the more windproof, and mostly water resistant refillables like the Windmill by Essential Gear. For my upcoming trip, I could obviously take both (which I may, for a real world comparison), but for my everyday carry, which would be better suited? The environmental ruggedness of the more expensive butane lighters is very appealing, as is the piezo-electric ignition and the hotter flame. On the other hand, the Zippo offers the advantage of built in emergency tinder (fuel soaked cotton), small but usefull flints (they still produce usable spark even with no fuel), the limited ability to function as a signaling device when polished, and in a pinch, the ability to use alernate fuels. Since I carry one every day, fuel evaporation is not a problem.

In an urban environment, both types of fuel are readily available, but the butane is perhaps safer and easier to transport. In the wilderness, neither one is good with no fuel. So for an extended stay, I wouldn't count on either one. In a sudden survival situation, which is the one that really matters, I am torn between the two. The zippo seems to have multiple uses, but the butane is more durable.