Pgunnz – 2012-11-26
As expected from a Zippo!
It is a Zippo after all so you know what you are getting. Works great in almost any conditions plus you save on replacement lighters as you only need to replace the fuel, wick, and flit when they run out. far more cost effective over disposable lighters. The only problem I see with it is the fuel will evaporate if you leave it sit for a while. This is not an issue as long as you are on top of it and top it off before you head out. I would recommend storing it as empty as possible so you don't waste fuel when not is use. Bottom line I want to get another one! (probably a nice one with a design) Oh and I will have to try the white gas suggestion when I take on the Colorado Trail.
ttk – 2012-09-04
Old Reliable
After buying and then returning a few fancy wind proof butane lighters that eventually failed I contacted REI asking them to add a Zippo to their line. This lighter is the same one that millions have used for generations. It requires little dextarity to light with cold hands and will stay lit long enough to get natural tinder started. Make sure to check the flint and fill the fluid before you leave home. I use Zippo fluid because it does not evaporate and does not have much of a petrolium smell. A lanyard loop would be handy.
Deschutes – 2012-05-18
Classic, field-maintainable lighter
After using a variety of fire-starters on many backpacking trips (firesteels, matches, disposable lighters), this has become my primary one. It's very rugged and comes with a free lifetime warranty (Zippo will repair or replace any lighter for free, no questions asked), and it's made in the USA. The lighter is also completely field-maintainable. It can be taken apart by hand, and I keep a spare flint and wick under the batting at the bottom of the insert.Best of all, lighter fluid is simply white gas (aka, Coleman fuel), so when my lighter runs out of fluid, I just refill it with a few drops from my Whisperlite's fuel bottle. Also, even when completely empty, the lighter still produces a nice spark that's good enough to light a stove, or even some tinder.On the negative side, lighter fluid does have a tendency to evaporate (I've discovered that a fill-up will last about 10 days). Also, this lighter is not waterproof, so if you drop it in the water you'll have to dry it out. Both problems can be remedied by keeping the lighter in a small ziplock bag when not in use.All in all, this is a nice, rugged, and field-maintainable firestarter. It will always light, no matter the altitude, temperature, or weather. I would simply recommend that REI start carrying the "slim" model by Zippo, which is smaller and lighter than this full-size model, and even better suited to backpacking.
