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Recorded Zippo Lighter Data
Zippo Purchased: 12/01/2006
Data Collection Time: 12/01/2006-02/21/2008
(448 total days with 444 total days
of collection data)
Type of Flints Used: Zippo Lighter Flints
Flint Usage:
12/01/2006-01/01/2007 (32 days)
01/02/2007-02/03/2007 (32 days – 1 day no lighter use)
02/04/2007-03/17/2007 (42 days)
03/18/2007-05/11/2007 (55 days)
05/12/2007-06/25/2007 (45 days)
06/26/2007-07/31/2007 (36 days)
08/01/2007-09/22/2007 (52 days – 1 day no lighter use)
09/23/2007-10/29/2007 (36 days – 1 day no lighter use)
10/30/2007-12/24/2007 (56 days)
12/25/2007-02/21/2008 (58 days – 1 day no lighter use, end data collection)
Total Flints Used: 10
Average Number of Days per Flint:
44.4
Total Number of Flint Days:
444
Type of Lighter Fluid Used: Ronsonol Lighter Fuel 12 fl. oz. container
Lighter Fluid Usage:
12/01/2006-12/21/2006 (21 days)
12/22/2006-01/06/2007 (16 days) 01/07/2007 (no lighter use)
01/08/2007-01/21/2007 (14 days)
01/22/2007-02/04/2007 (14 days)
02/05/2007-02/18/2007 (14 days)
02/19/2007-03/02/2007 (12 days)
03/03/2007-03/14/2007 (12 days)
03/15/2007-03/25/2007 (11 days)
03/26/2007-04/05/2007 (11 days)
04/06/2007-04/17/2007 (12 days)
04/18/2007-04/29/2007 (12 days)
04/30/2007-05/10/2007 (11 days)
05/11/2007-05/22/2007 (12 days)
05/23/2007-06/02/2007 (11 days)
06/03/2007-06/14/2007 (12 days)
06/15/2007-06/22/2007 (8 days)
06/23/2007- 07/02/2007 (10 days)
07/03/2007-07/11/2007 (9 days)
07/12/2007-07/20/2007 (9 days)
07/21/2007-07/31/2007 (11 days)
08/01/2007-08/10/2007 (10 days)
08/11/2007-08/21/2007 (11 days)
08/22/2007-09/01/2007 (11 days)
09/02/2007-09/11/2007 (10 days) 09/12/2007 (no lighter use)
09/13/2007-09/22/2007 (10 days) 09/23/2007 (no lighter use)
09/24/2007-10/04/2007 (11 days)
10/05/2007-10/15/2007 (11 days)
10/16/2007-10/26/2007 (11 days)
10/27/2007-11/09/2007 (14 days)
11/10/2007-11/23/2007 (14 days)
11/24/2007-12/07/2007 (14 days)
12/08/2007-12/21/2007 (14 days)
12/22/2007-01/04/2008 (14 days)
01/05/2008-01/16/2008 (12 days)
01/17/2008-01/29/2008 (13 days)
01/30/2008-02/11/2008 (13 days) 02/12/2008 (no lighter use)
02/13/2008-02/21/2008 (9 days – end data collection)
Total Lighter Fuel Refills (per 12 fl. oz.):
37
Average Number of Days for Fluid Usage per Refill:
12
Total Number of 12 fl. oz. Lighter Fluid Days:
444*
Type of Wick Used: Zippo 4.5 inch wick
Wick Usage:
12/01/2006-03/02/2007 (1st trim – 91 days, 1 day no use)
03/03/2007-06/15/2007 (2nd trim – 105 days)
06/16/2007-10/04/2007 (3rd trim – 109 days, 2 days no use)
10/05/2007-02/21/2008 (end data collection – 139 days, 1 day no use)
Total Wick Periods (between trims):
4
Average Wick Usage per Period:
111 days
Total Days per Wick: 444
* Lighter fluid refills means filled until fluid level is flush with bottom of
lighter (an approximation)
Note: This data is based upon the use of a 1 ½ pack a day smoker (30 lights per
day). To a lesser extent the data collected is also based upon occasional
lighter use for the lighting of campfires and burn barrels.
Conclusion - The data presented clearly indicates that the Zippo lighter is an
excellent choice for a fire starter to be used in an emergency preparedness kit.
Extreme weather and adverse conditions may affect the usage time and periods
predicted for each category, however, since an individual is unlikely to use a
Zippo lighter to ignite more than 3 fires per day (in comparison to lighting 30
cigarettes) the usage periods should remain relatively accurate. It should be
noted, however, that the duration of a Zippo Wick's lifetime may be reduced by
approximately ¼ (1-2 months) with continued use in windy conditions or in cases
of unusually extended flame life.
The advantages gained through the use of a Zippo lighter as a fire starter in an
emergency preparedness kit over other items currently available on the market
are immense. A Zippo lighter will prevail in strong winds, relatively cold
temperatures, and during extreme precipitation. In addition, a Zippo lighter can
be used for temporary emergency lighting, melting frayed fabrics (mending), and
heating small frozen pipes/lines (such as brake lines) without the necessity of
lighting a larger fire.
The Zippo lighter holds an impressive advantage over other forms of lighters as
well due to its capability to use a varying degree of fuels and still perform.
It is clear that under a diverse set of circumstances some form of fuel can be
acquired or manufactured (such as alcohol) for use in a Zippo lighter. This
fact, makes the traditional Zippo lighter superior to all disposable lighters as
well as refillable butane igniters.
The superiority that the Zippo holds over matches, magnesium firestarters,
disposable lighters, butane igniters, and ancient fire starting methods is
highly evident when considering all the advantages and uses of the traditional
Zippo lighter. While learning ancient skills and carrying some of the other fire
starting apparatuses may be prudent it is still clear that the most practical
fire starter for emergency preparedness is without a doubt the traditional Zippo
lighter.
In closing, it should be noted that the Zippo lighter is the most time-tested
lighter and was praised for its construction, durability, and diversity by
combat veterans throughout its history. For all its many advantages and
legendary functionality the average price of a traditional Zippo lighter is
about $10.
Emergency Preparedness Data -
Zippo Fire Kit should include:
1-2 traditional Zippo Lighters (a backup is recommended)
12 fl. oz. Ronsonol Lighter Fuel per year of Zippo usage
10-12 Zippo Lighter Flints per year of Zippo usage
1-2 Zippo Wicks (4.5 in.) per year of Zippo usage
Instructions for Zippo Lighter (for proper wick replacement)
Tweezers, Scissors, and Screwdriver for wick replacement (a Swiss Army Knife is best)
Warranty information for your Zippo lighter
Medicine bottle for storage of flints, wicks, instructions, etc.
According to a spokesperson for Ronsonol their 12 fl. oz. bottles do not require
"burping" and the lighter fuel (naphtha) should last several years before
deteriorating
Always store flammable liquids or fire igniters in a cool dry place and do not
allow them to come into contact with direct sunlight or heat sources. DO NOT
store flints in metal containers
Keep all items in your fire kit out of damp conditions whenever possible (a
Zipper storage bag is excellent for this purpose). If your lighter is immersed
in water remove it immediately, disassemble, remove packing material and wick,
dry the casing with a cloth, and air/sun dry
Although Coleman Camp Fuel is naphtha and is also usable in a Zippo lighter the
1 gallon containers are not recommended for storage of lighter fuel since they
are constructed of metal and are grossly susceptible to corrosion
Unopened Bic lighters may want to be included in your Fire Kit for emergency
preparedness as potential backup or for future barter/trade. According to a
spokesperson for Bic these items can be expected to remain usable for several
years
Several unscented tea candles may also be included in your Fire Kit for use
lighting fires in extremely damp conditions or for temporary lighting in order
to save lighter fuel and the expected life of a Zippo wick
SOME EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SPECIALISTS MAY DISAGREE WITH MY CONCLUSIONS, BUT
THE DATA IS INCONTROVERTIBLE. IT IS UP TO EACH INDIVIDUAL TO ASSESS THEIR OWN
NEEDS, DESIRES, AND ALL FACTS CONCERNING EMERGENCY PREPARATIONS. ONE SHOULD
CONSIDER THE INTELLECT OF MODERN HUMANITY WHEN CHOOSING WHAT SYSTEMS OF
EMERGENCY PREPARATION ARE BEST FOR YOU, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE MOST LIKELY RISK
MANAGEMENT SCENARIOS INCLUDING ONE'S OWN CAPABILITIES. IN OTHER WORDS, IS IT
MORE USEFUL AND EFFICIENT FOR YOU TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS OF CAVEMEN AND THROW
TECHNOLOGY OUT, OR IS IT MORE LIKELY YOU COULD USE A WORKING UNDERSTANDING OF
FIRE, UTILIZE TECHNOLOGY, AND BACKWARDS ENGINEER IF NECESSARY? IN TODAY'S WORLD
THE TIME AND PATIENCE NECESSARY TO ACQUIRE ADEQUATE PRIMITIVE SKILLS SHOULD ALSO
BE FACTORED INTO ONE'S DECISION AND PLANNING. IT IS THIS AUTHOR'S MODERN
PERCEPTION THAT SIMPLE TECHONLOGY (SUCH AS THE ZIPPO) SHOULD BE APPLIED AND
RELIED UPON WITH A SIMPLE WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF PRIMITIVE SKILLS BEING ACQUIRED TO FALL BACK UPON. THOUGH ANCIENT FIRE SKILLS ARE DIFFICULT
TO MASTER, KNOWLEDGE IS ALL THAT IS NECESSARY UNDER MOST REALISTIC CONDITIONS
UNLESS WE ARE TO COMPLETELY DISCARD THE WILL TO LIVE AND SUPERIOR INTELLECT OF
MODERN MAN. IT MAKES JUST AS MUCH SENSE (IF NOT MORE) TO ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE
TO BUILD FIRE IGNITERS AND MAKE FUEL AS IT DOES TO ACQUIRE WORKING PRIMITIVE
SKILLS AND BUILD ANCIENT FIREMAKING TOOLS, YET THE FORMER ALLOWS CONVENIENCE AND
THE ADDED BENEFIT OF BACKWARD ENGINEERING TO CREATE THE LATTER IF NECESSARY. THE
DATA PRESENTED HERE WILL ALLOW YOU TO DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS BASED ON ACTUAL
HISTORICAL FACTS AND FIGURES RATHER THAN THE "SAY SO" OR "OPINIONS" OF THE
SO-CALLED EXPERTS. ULTIMATELY, ITS YOUR LIFE AND THE CHOICE IS YOUR OWN – CHOOSE
WISELY.
Other Important Facts and Considerations -
Zippo lighters are reusable while matches and disposable lighters are not
Zippo lighters prevail in strong winds while matches and magnesium fire starters
do not
Lighters and matches provide instant flame while primitive skills do not
Zippo lighters carry a lifetime warranty as an added advantage during poor
economic times
Zippo lighters are field proven by combat veterans and many newer devices are
not
Traditional Zippo lighters will not explode in extreme heat like most butane
igniters
Lighters enable the user to control the flame while matches and magnesium
devices do not
Flame lighters provide emergency lighting while flameless lighters, magnesium
fire
starters, and matches either can not or are extremely limited in duration
Flame lighters offer more advantages/uses than disadvantages
Fire starting devices are more easily passed on and traded than primitive skills
Naphtha has more field uses than butane
Most individuals already have a knowledge of primitive fire making, yet most do
not
possess the knowledge required to build a lighter or make fuel (backwards?)
Traditional Zippo lighters have metal cases which do not melt or puncture
Traditional Zippo lighters do not provide Child Proofing (advantage or
disadvantage?)
Refillable lighters require carrying, acquiring, or manufacturing lighter fuel
Flame lighters increase the risk of accidental fire
Zippo products are Made in the U.S.A. (est. 1932)
In the late 1950's, a Zippo lighter was removed from the belly of a fish. It lit
the first time
Fuels that can be used in a traditional Zippo lighter include:
All wick lighter fuels (Zippo, Ronsonol, etc.) - BEST
Camp Fuel (naphtha) – NEXT BEST
Some Paint Thinners (naphtha) – ALSO GOOD
Rubbing Alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) – GOOD ALTERNATIVE
Everclear / Grain Alcohol (ethyl alcohol aka "moonshine") – GOOD ALTERNATIVE
Kerosene – WORKS
Cologne – WORKS
Diesel Fuel – WORKS
Jet Propellant (JP – 4) – WORKS
Lamp Oil – WORKS, BUT HARMFUL TO LIGHTER'S FUNCTION
Gasoline (dangerous but does work) – POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE
* There are many other untested and less common fuels that are not recommended
My 5 Year Fire Kit:
Zippo lighter for pocket carry
Unused Zippo lighter in protective plastic case with instructions
Plastic medicine bottle for wicks, flints, and instructions
Zippo Wicks in plastic medicine bottle (8)
Zippo Flints in small glass pill bottle (nitro pill bottle) inside plastic
medicine bottle (114)
Spare Zippo instructions in plastic medicine bottle
Store-packaged Bic lighters (6)
Unscented tea candles (4)
One quart zipper storage bag for lighters, containers, and candles
12 fl. oz. Ronsonol Lighter Fuel (5)
Hemp pouch for storing collected kindling (lined with plastic)
TOTAL WEIGHT: 4 lbs. (an extremely low weight for the benefits that are
acquired)
All the information provided is for the purposes of planning and acquiring a
survival kit or BOB (bug out bag). The data collected, opinions, and facts
presented are published as information that is accurate and reliable to the best
of my knowledge. All data published in this article was collected in an honest
manner and reviewed by two or more persons to ensure accuracy in facts and
figures.
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