I generally carry a Zippo as part of my firekit. Since I do not smoke I tend to forget about this lighter in my vest. It used to always be dry of fuel when I wanted it, so I took to filling it and wrapping it in 3 or 4 layers of Saran wrap held in place with rubber bands....not convienient to get to, but my experience was that it usually had fuel when I did want it.

Of course, I never really knew how long it kept fuel, so last time I fueled it I included a tag with the date.

Today I needed to melt some nylon tape for a repair I was doing (at work, so did not want to use a strike-anywhere <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />), pulled out the wrapped Zippo and it fired right up.

It was almost dry though. I carry a Tabasco bottle of fuel and it took 3/4th of that to resaturate the cotton.

So it looks like about 7 months carried in my vest pocket wrapped in 4 layers of Saran.

Hey thanks for the up date on that. I’ve enjoyed reading several of your articles over at Outdoors Magazine.

I was wondering why you chose the Zippo made for pipe smokers rather than the regular ones. I to carry a Zippo daily as a nonsmoker and find the slim ones fit in my pocket with my other stuff I carry and chose the brass one since I think it wears well.

I carry mine with my regular pocket stuff and find that I remember to fill it if I do it once a week, as I get ready for church. Don’t know what that has to do with remembering but as I put every thing into my dress pants I just top the Zippo up.

The only spares I carry are spare flints under the felt you lift up to fill the tank. They are always right there ready to go and not in the way at all.

The other improvement I think I have made is to look for some better fuel for my lighter. I started with regular Zippo fluid, then Premium Zippo fluid but was disappointed with both. I doubt I have found the “best” yet but I have been much happier with the fuel made by Ronsonol. Anyone's input on the best fluid would be greatly appreciated.

I used to smoke a pipe a bit and that is why I bought the pipe version. It is also nice as the flame comes out the hole in the chimney so it works nicely on a tinder nest and pile.

I also have a few extra flints under the felt pad.

I have never really noticed any differences in fuel. I use Ronsonol because I can get it at the grocery easily.

Overall a disposable butane is probably a much better choice for carry but this old Zippo just feels right.

Yea the Zippos do feel right besides they are not affected by high altitude where the pressure change can make the butane one's unsafe. Besides who wants to carry a cheap looking lighter mixed in with quality EDC stuff. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Also, there have been quite a few cases of bic style lighters exploding on people while they are welding. I know of a few welding shops that only let their employees carry zippo style lighters, no bics or butane. Pretty interesting to know.

Anyway, to keep fuel in my lighter I use a cut rubber bicycle innertube (cut about an inch or so long). The cut rubber piece goes around the break in the Zippo case like a big rubber band. I've got a zippo that I filled about a month and a half ago that still lit when I tried it. It is also a bit faster to remove then saran wrap and is completely reusable. Plus you never know when you need a big rubber band. <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I had not considered the rubber band....that is a really good idea and way easier to remove. I will give that a shot.