ZippoReplica Lighters

I tried a bunch of lighter brands before finally settling on Zippo, and let me tell you, it was like finding the Holy Grail of pocket fire starters! Other lighters were like, “Oh, you want to refill me? Good luck with that!” But Zippo? It’s like, “Top me off weekly with a 5 second squirt, and I’ll be your trusty sidekick!” Plus, it’s an American icon, which means it’s basically the Jesus of lighters.I first got the brass one, and then I was like, “I need more black crackle in my life!” As a US Army Combat Veteran, I appreciate its roots, and I imagine it would have been a great morale booster during those long, cold nights. “Hey, battle, need a light? Just wait until you see my Zippo!”YouTube is your best friend when it comes to Zippo prep. I highly recommend repacking your Zippo before its first use. It’s like giving it a spa day before it goes out into the world. And to save fuel, cut a small piece of plastic and place it over the bottom before placing the insert back. It’s a lighter hack that even MacGyver would approve of!Even though I’m not a smoker, a lighter is an essential everyday carry item for me. It’s like having a tiny, portable sun in your pocket. The other day, someone asked me for a light, and I felt like a BOSS using my Zippo. It’s the kind of power that makes you want to start a campfire just to show off!Overall, I’m incredibly satisfied with my Zippos. I’ll never consider any other lighter. If they ever break, I’m confident it will be repaired at no cost (Zippo warranty). It’s like having a lifetime supply of sunshine in my pocket and I couldn’t be happier!

The virtues of the Zippo Lighter have really been sung since 1932, so 90+ years later there isn't anything to say that hasn't been said already. But that won't stop me...I have several of these. Relevant to this review are three of them - the brushed chrome 1935 and 1941 replicas, and the sterling silver 1941.My use case - I smoke cigars. Probably more than I should, but whatever. The cigar culture tends to default to those butane torch lighters, which to me tend to lack in the performance department. I like soft flame lighters, and don't judge me. Using a Bic lighter is, honestly, a non starter for me because, well, it lacks style AND I really don't like throwing empty lighters away to sit in a landfill for a thousand years or whatever. Yes, one of the reasons I like Zippos is the environmental factor. Sue me.The Zippo price point is really appropriate given that you're buying a lighter that will, honestly, outlive you. The mechanism is dead simple (and therefore reliable) with a flame that doesn't go out at all easily. And while the Cigar Crowd gives me some grief for the whole "but but but lighter fluid has a smell that ruins the cigar!!1!!2111" I just say "you do you." Because honestly...it is a non factor.But here's where we get interesting, and I'm referencing the Precious Metals collection. While el-cheapo torch lighters can be had at a low cost, they also are horrible. To get a GOOD torch lighter you're going to go to a brand like S.T. DuPont, and yes those cost in the $150-$200 range for the entry level. And they are still torch lighters, meaning a mechanism that doesn't really lend itself well to repair. So, put me down for the sterling silver Zippo. It's still a bit on the ostentatious side, maybe, but so what. Given the choice between the S.T Dupont and this especially at the same price point...I'll go for this every time.Really, Zippo has become an American culture touchstone, and it's something I look at fondly. There's really nothing in the world like it, and for that I'm happy. Dead simple, iconic, and reliable: that's more than enough elan for me....

The Zippo Yellow Flame Insert fits these!

My new favorite symbol.

These are really cool and people always like borrowing it. Good feel and sound.

Note: This "black ice" color it refers to seems to be brushed steel, a shade darker than chrome. There's nothing black about it.Pros: Snazzier than your standard Zippo. Nice cruves, slightly larger than the current model. 1941 seems like a fantastic year to model after. It feels almost broken-in, but I imagine this is either its slightly less compact, less efficient design, or its manufacture was slightly lower quality than the current model. That's part of the appeal. It feels old-timey. But really, the look and feel is what it has going for it. You've never seen or felt a lighter like this... unless you've sought out antique lighters.Cons: Aforementioned feel. The current Zippo wouldn't think of opening while being pulled out of your pocket--it's just that tightly designed and constructed. It really feels machined and refined. Contrast to this which feels less like a classically-engineered piece and more like what it was... a mechanical cigarette lighter, 10 years out of the gate, not quite the icon of American manufacturing that it would become. And that's both its appeal and its drawback. Don't take it on a camping trip and rely on it to start your fire. A Bic would be more reliable.Which leads to one more con, and you may already be privy to this: Zippos are notorious for burning through the basics. Yes, it's simple, yes it can heavy use for decades and continue to ignite. Yes, it needs to be constantly refilled with Zippo fuel or Ronsonol. All the time. Let it sit around for a week or two and it will exhaust all of its fuel without even being used. When you really, really need to light something, the steel wheel will grind to a halt, with no flint left to spark. And that's lack of progress. And there's beauty in that too.

I own quite a few Zippos, not as a collector but to actually use. This one was on sale and couldn't pass it up for only $20. The 1941 isn't appreciably different from current ones; fewer chimney holes, hollow rivet in the striker wheel, 4 barrel hinge, more rounded top. This one is a bit plain, but perfect to use without worrying about it getting scratched. Very happy with it.