IMHO the Zippo (in all its forms) is pretty much overrated. A lot like the Maglite. It's one of those bits of kit that have been around for a long time and have a solid reputation so it has never really been updated. And even if an attempt is made to improve it eventually, it's a case of too little, too late.

Now, sometimes a product is so good there's just nothing to improve and as they say, one shouldn't try to fix what ain't broken. But then again, some products would benefit from a technological overhaul every now and then when better solutions become available.

I've used a classic Zippo for some time. But even though it's a well made lighter, the fuel evaporates way too fast to be a reliable means of starting fire in my experience. I'm sorry to hear the butane version is so poorly made. Especially when you consider you could get a few dozen BIC lighters for the same price and they're actually more reliable in the bush.

I guess that apart from its reputation, the Zippo only holds appeal to smokers who use and refill their lighters on a very regular basis. If the butane Zippo is that bad, I don't even see what target group it could be aimed at.