Introducing the new Zippo Hand Warmer! This incredible Zippo will provide up to a whopping 24 hours of warm comfort for those chilly days. This is a must have for camping, snow sports, hunting, fishing, football, and everything else you can imagine.This can easily fit into your gloves or pockets.

Features:

• No flames- The platinum-catalyzed glass fiber burner offer a quick and sure lighting.
• Economical- The Zippo Hand Warmer lasts up to 24 hours with just one refill of 0.4 oz of Zippo fluid.
• Extra Warmth- This warmer beats other convention hand warmers by 10 times the heat.
• Environmentally Friendly- This is reusable so you can use it again and again without having to throw anything away.
• Suitable Size- The sleak profile makes sure that it can fit in small spaces such as your gloves or your pockets.
• Security- Zippo will offer you a 1 year warrantly on the Zippo Hand Warmer.

Demonstration:

Get your Zippo Hand Warmer now!

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RARE ZIPPO HAND WARMER FOOTBALL CANADIAN CFL GREY CUP 1 Bid Time Left: 6d 6h 11m    US $9.95

NEW Zippo Chrome Deluxe Hand Warmer Hunting Hiking Golf Time Left: 8d 6h 32m    US $17.99

Zippo Deluxe Hand Warmer 40182 FREE SHIPPING Time Left: 10d 10h 8m    US $15.10

ZIPPO HANDY WARMER WITH 4 OZ CAN OF LIGHTER FLUID Time Left: 12d 5h 21m    US $34.95

Zippo Deluxe Hand Warmer Chrome Low Shipping 40182 Time Left: 13d 23h 27m    US $11.74

2 NEW ZIPPO HAND WARMER REPLACEMENT BURNERS Time Left: 22d 18h 47m    US $11.99

Zippo Hand Warmer Genuine Replacement Burner 44003 NEW Time Left: 23d 4h 2m    US $5.95

NEW ZIPPO DELUXE HAND WARMER SET WITH ALL ACCESSORIES Time Left: 24d 20h 34m    US $9.80

Zippo Refillable Deluxe Hand Warmer w Pouch 40182 NEW Time Left: 26d 52m    US $11.55

Zippo Hand Warmer Replacement Burner Low Ship 44003 Time Left: 28d 20h 14m    US $5.55

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1. The Twilight Zone Trick
This is extremely easy to do yet very affective on the audience, although, it has become quite common. The illusion is that you can take away the flame from your zippo wick and toss it back onto the wick. The trick is that you have to bend the wick down at a certain angle ( you can do trial and error on that one). When you run your fingers across the flame, it may seem as if the flame has disappeared but the fact is that there is still a tiny flame lingering at the bottom of the wick. When you "toss" the flame back from your hand, you are also stirring air in the flame therefore the entire wick gets lid up away. Here's a video demonstration:

2. The Floating Zippo Flame
I accidentally discovered this trick while doing the Twilight Zone. Needless to say, the trick is same, which is to bend the zippo wick at a certain angle. You can do trial and error to find the right angle for the wick all the while tilting the zippo from side to side:

3. The Top Pop
This is probably the most common zippo trick ever. Every Zippo owner should at the very least be able to perform this trick, so if you are a new Zippo owner then definitely start with this one. Here's a video tutorial of the "top pop". I find that the key to perform this trick is to apply pressure to the corner of the lid so that your fingers eventually "snap" with the lid. Be aware though, because the Zippo Hinge will wear out and break loose if you do this too often.

4. The Hot Swing
This trick, if followed from the Top Spin will make your performance more impressive. Here's a video tuturial that's very self-explanatory.

Some of Zippo’s nonsmoking products are knives and Italian made purses and briefcases. However, with Zippo’s 75th anniversary just around the corner, the company has decided to start a new line of multipurpose lighters that can be used for purposes other than smoking. For example, these new lighters would be used for outdoor activities, fireplaces, and barbeque grills.

Greg Booth, Zippo’s president and CEO, assures that this new business tactic will revive the company’s success and make up for the setbacks that Zippo has experienced from the recently stringent airport security policies, anti-smoking legislation, and widespread sale of knockoffs.

In a recent phone interview, President and CEO Greg Booth said that “Our corporate plan is to diversify…” Thereafter, Booth specifically identified the company’s objective and explained, “We’ll continue to do what we do best: manufacture items that generate flame. But we’ll add and diversify with products that are nonsmoking related.”

The Zippo lighter was discovered by founder George Blaisdell in 1932. Blaisdell set out to design a lighter that would be unaffected by the wind or any other outdoor influences; and thus he ended up with the current rectangular shaped lighter with its signature hinged lid. Since then, Zippo lighters have starred in Hollywood films, adorned U.S. soldiers during war, and sparked collector’s clubs worldwide. Additionally, Zippos are always sold with a lifetime guarantee.

Each year, the Blaisdell Family run Zippo Company earns around $140 million for its lighters, $40 million for its knives labeled as the W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., and $10 million for its fashion accessories by Zippo Fashion Italia.

Although each sector of the company has been doing well, Booth has mentioned that it has had its fair share of challenges.

Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, more stringent airport security policies have been put into place and have interfered with the desire of tourists and shoppers who would usually purchase Zippo lighters as gifts, thus hurting Zippo’s business.

As a result, Zippo was forced to cut around 50 jobs and experienced a net loss between $4 million and $5 million a year, due to airport security policies. Booth described the dire situation, “Purchases like that came to a screeching halt. That’s a tough hit in terms of dollars and the community and overall economy of the region.” There are about 760 employees situated at the Bradford facilities.

By August, the Transportation Security Administration had decided to lessen the severity of the security policies. Passengers were now allowed to take their lighters onto the plane and pack empty lighters in their luggage. In addition, a traveler could take two lighters with fuel if he/she had government verification.

The Zippo Company is currently trying to inform the public about these new security renovations, an attempt to bring back Zippo’s financial losses. “They now can take their Zippo lighters back on the plane in checked luggage and in the cabin,” CEO Booth explained. He then went on to say, “We want people to know their lighters won’t be confiscated, they can take them on board. We think we will get a portion of that business back.”

Additionally, Zippo has been consulting foreign governments and federal trade experts to combat manufacturing factories producing Zippo knockoffs, and begin the legal fight against their crimes. Most of these knockoffs come from China, so Zippo has been concentrating its efforts in that area.

However, Booth realizes that the process is quite difficult. “But it takes an awful long time to get the message across that it’s wrong, and you must stop, and we’re going to prosecute and put you in jail,” said Booth.

Zippo is also having difficulty dealing with the widespread anti-smoking bans sweeping not only the United States, but also other parts of the world.

Due to anti-smoking sentiment in the United States, Zippo has been subject to a 3-4% decrease in the company’s wholesale distribution, according the Booth.

Booth said, “It’s certainly had an effect. We’re not naïve and we certainly don’t feel the anti-smoking pressure is going to do anything but increase our strategy to diversify our product line.”

In order to diversify its business, Zippo acquired the Case Cutlery of Bradford in 1993, a company known to produce knives for outdoor activities. In 2004, Zippo also bought Fashion Italia, which brought in a new line of products that ranges from briefcases, shoes, wallet, belts, and purses – for both men and women.

“We’re always looking for acquisitions,” Booth said.

Although Zippo has reached out to other product lines, its diversification within the lighter category has only taken place since the year 2002. Beginning with the MPL (multi-purpose lighter), Zippo has followed up with such lighters as the Zippo Hand Warmer and the Outdoor Utility Lighter.

These multi-purpose lighters “are reaching a completely different target audience” and are now being sold in outlets and retail chains. Women and campers alike are being exposed to the Zippo brand more readily and Booth boasts that “They’ve had excellent consumer acceptance.”

Despite its focus on diversification, Zippo has not deserted its initial dedication to lighters for smokers. Its newest item since August is the refillable butane gas lighter called the Zippo Blu. Since its development, 85 new jobs have been filled at the Bradford location. At the retail price of $39.95, Zippo is hoping that the Zippo Blu will be a success. Booth expresses his anticipation saying that the recent sales “have been very strong, it’s too early to tell…whether it is going to be a home run for us.”

President and CEO of Zippo, Booth is from Bradford, the birthplace of the Zippo lighter. He earned a biology degree from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1971 and thereafter desired to attend the pharmacy school at the University of Pittsburgh. After taking a job at a refinery to support his graduate school education, Booth got exposed to the business field and decided to change his path. Booth eventually ended up at Sunoco in Philadelphia.

In 1999, Booth returned to Bradford and took on the task of running the Case Cutlery, a sector of the Zippo Company. Two years later, the Chairman George Duke (also the grandson of Founder George Blaisdell) appointed Booth to be the President and CEO of Zippo, thus becoming the third nonfamily member to be in charge.

Recently, Booth has been able to learn some Zippo trivia; especially with the advent of Zippo’s 75th anniversary. Some random facts include: The Zippo lighter’s number of movies appearances (1,500+) and the first design that Zippo got a license for (Elvis Presley).

In addition, a Zippo lighter has been auctioned off at the all-time highest price of $37,000, a 1933 original Zippo in tip top condition.

“It’s eye-opening to say the least,” said Booth.

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07304/829760-28.stm

The Zippo Lighter: A Hollywood Legend

Even more popular than any superstar, the Zippo Lighter has a long history in the entertainment business that is quite enviable. In the 1930’s and 40’s, the Zippo was very fitting for the heroic characters portrayed in films at that time – it was mostly utilized as an accessory to enhance the overall look of a character, just like a trench coat or fedora would. World War II was extremely influential in increasing the popularity of the Zippo. On and off the screen, it was highly used by U.S. troops, thus becoming a national symbol. Today, the “click” of a Zippo lighter is as distinguishable as the Groucho’s moustache, Julia Robert’s smile, or the Duke’s drawl.

It does not stop there. Zippo is continually starring in more than 1,200 films, television shows, and theatrical productions. Please email us if you have seen the Zippo lighter in a production that is not listed.

The Zippo Lighter: A Celebrity Casted with Thousands

As mentioned already, Zippo’s popularity increased noticeably during World War II, which is made obvious when one observes the sheer number of appearances that the Zippo lighter has made in the films during and after the war. The Zippo lighter offers a sense of authenticity that no other prop can, which is demonstrated through the scene in which Donna Reed lighted Montgomery Clift’s cigarette in “From Here to Eternity” or in the way Flynn suavely handled his Zippo lighter in “Objective Burma”. In the famous documentary “D-Day to Berlin”, Director George Stevens was spotted utilizing his personal Zippo as he worked on his masterpiece. In the 1945 film “The Clock”, Director Vincent Minelli used the Zippo as a plot tool to romantically bring together the characters of Judy Garland and Robert Walker. However, the lighter did not physically star in the film, due to the shortage of Zippos at that time.

The Zippo lighter is not only associated with World War II, it also stars in movies related to the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In “Sergeant Terror”, a Zippo connected the characters of Karl Malden and Richard Widmark and in “Pork Chop Hill”, actor Gregory Peck had to depend on his Zippo for moral support.

Furthermore, in the popular film “The Green Berets” (starring John Wayne), the Duke’s camouflage model of the Zippo lighter is one of the most prestigious collectibles. The director of “Apocalypse Now” Francis Ford Coppola used the Zippo in the opening scenes of the film. Attempting to create an eerie mood, Coppola adorned the character of Martin Sheen with a Colt revolver and a Zippo lighter. The Zippo lighter also featured in films by means of the music. The “clicks” of a Zippo were instrumentally incorporated in the song “It’s Probably Me” for the film “Lethal Weapon III”, featuring veteran actor Mel Gibson and Danny Clover. Singer and Songwriter Eric Clapton came up with the novel idea when he accidentally discovered it by clicking his Zippo in cognitive frustration. Clapton liked the rhythm that the Zippo created and thus it provided the stimulation needed for his eventual staccato melody. In addition to the film, a Zippo also stars in the music video of the song, as it “clicks” into the main melody of the background.

The Zippo Lighter: A Perfect Prop

The Zippo lighter has strengthened its musical capabilities as an instrument through a special, novel group of British performers. Called “STOMP”, this musical group of eight people utilizes dance, percussion, and random props to create unconventional music that proves to be quite catchy. One musical piece was produced entirely with Zippo lighters and Co-Founder Luke Creswell describes how the Zippo piece came to be:

"I was in Glasgow for a big outdoor extravaganza. Everyone in the bars I went to did tricks with their Zippos. . . Fans of Zippos know they have a distinctive ping when they're opened - and I started thinking of that."

The musical group “STOMP” as experienced much success in the United States, Canada, Australia, and of course the United Kingdom.

The Zippo lighter has not only been featured in films, but also in television shows. T.V. reruns of the 1950’s comedy “I Love Lucy” feature the “Lady Bradford” Zippo lying on the coffee table of Ricardo’s living room. The popularity of “I Love Lucy” combined with that of the Zippo has even bred a group of super fans that have counted the number of Zippo appearances in several of the episodes.

The Zippo Lighter: The Past and the Future

The Zippo no doubt has an air of professionalism that proves to be valuable in many films – whether it serves to accentuate the spooky tone of the film “Hocus Pocus” or to aid the character of Gerard Depardieu in “Green Card”, the Zippo continues to impress. Additionally, another great quality of the Zippo is that it never overwhelms the role of the actual character in the film – such as that of Robert DeNiro in “Midnight Run”, Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn in “Bird On a Wire” and Chevy Fletch in “Fletch”. The Zippo is also very versatile. It has been featured in a variety of productions: “Jurassic Park”,” The Thomas Crown Affair”,” Top Gun”,” JFK”, “The Right Stuff”, and “Out of Sight”. The lasting appeal and reliability of the Zippo lighter has been proven time and time again and will continue to do so in the future.

U.S. General Douglas MacArthur left behind a great number of souvenirs, which for the most part are displayed today at the MacArthur Museum. The Zippo lighters owned by MacArthur are some of the many tokens being exhibited at the museum. In 1949, a commemorative Zippo embossed with a medal denoting Japan’s unconditional surrender and General MacArthur’s signature was given to all officers on the U.S.S. Missouri. Today, these “MacArthur” Zippo lighters are extremely rare.

The Vietnam War is another war that demonstrated the value of the Zippo lighter. According to data, Zippos were used by over 200,000 U.S. soldiers during the war in Vietnam. Intimately tied to the daily lives of soldiers, the Zippo was no doubt an important tool. The shiny surface served as a mirror, while the flame worked well to heat up cold meals. The Zippo was also a handy method of identification.

In addition, the “canned bottom” of a Zippo lighter was utilized to store salt, in order to provide much needed body salt during hard times. Some historical Zippos were said to act as a shield against bullets or as a means to channel signals. One such example is that of Staff Sergeant Naugle, who employed the Zippo to send a signal to a rescue helicopter and eventually got saved. Sergeant Martinez experienced similar luck – he escaped near death thanks to his Zippo, which he always placed in his chest pocket. Although the bullet did indeed strike his chest, the Zippo shielded it enough to save Martinez. These unbelievable stories have been featured in many advertisements and even in the Life Magazine.

Zippos were not only used as personal items, but also as tools of military operations. Often, the lighter’s flame would be employed to destroy enemy bases and homes. The Zippo would most likely be found in the chest pocket of a soldier’s uniform or at times in the camouflage band of a helmet. Others stored the Zippo in the pouch of a M-16, a rifle. Lighter fluid was difficult to have access to in wartime and therefore, it was often replaced with diesel, gas, or alcohol. The army’s Post Exchanges carried a large number of Zippo lighters, which accounts for the considerable amount of Zippos issued to Vietnam. In time, Zippo inevitably entered the black market and soldiers were soon granted the option of buying their Zippos without taking a trip to the PX (U.S Army retail store). Additionally, soldiers would consult Vietnamese artisans to get their Zippos exclusively engraved. The map of Vietnam was an army favorite, but there were a great variety of other designs. Essentially, every soldier owned a personalized Zippo by the end of the Vietnam War.

These “Vietnam War” Zippo lighters have become valuable collector’s items. Each personalized Zippo represents the unique experience of every soldier on the battlefield. The emotions that the soldiers felt as they killed someone, saw a fellow comrade die, or simply missed loved ones back home can be felt within their Zippos. Since then, Zippo lighters have developed a new dimension to their reputation, becoming priceless collector’s items.

The idea of the Zippo lighter was sparked at a country club in Bradford, Pennsylvania in the early 1930s by none other than Mr. Blaisdell*. He carefully observed a friend using an Austrian lighter – but it was obvious that it was a troublesome tool. Although the lighter worked fairly well because of its chimney, the appearance was clearly impractical. A person would require the use of both hands to utilize the lighter and furthermore the surface metal was too thin to withstand any sort of damage.

*Employees would commonly refer to George Blaisdell as “Mr. Blaisdell”

In fall of 1932, Blaisdell redesigned the Austrian lighter to be more user-friendly. He created a rectangular shaped case and connected it to the cap of the lighter using a hinge. One aspect of the original lighter that he did not change was the chimney – it effectively protected the flame from wind or other external conditions. The refurbishing of the lighter resulted in a product that was easy to use, yet still pleasing to the eye. This 1933 model is on display at the Zippo/Case Museum situated in Bradford.

The name of the company “Zippo” was chosen by founder Blaisdell because he liked the ring of the word “zipper”. After much deliberation, he decided to stick to the name “Zippo” because of its supposedly edgy tone.

In the beginning, each Zippo lighter was sold at $1.95 and was endorsed by Blaisdell’s lifetime guarantee that still holds to this day: “It works or we fix it free”.

On May 17, 1934, Blaisdell applied for the Zippo patent and was approved and given patent number 2032695 two years later. Another patent was granted on August 1, 1950 with the number 2517191. The Zippo model has not changed much since then, minus a few small enhancements.

Kendall’s Refining Company of Bradford ordered 500 Zippo lighters in the mid-1930s, thus becoming the first company to utilize Zippo lighters for advertisement purposes. These company-advertised lighters are highly collectible items that are still popular amongst collectors today. Currently, companies continue to maintain the same practice of using Zippo lighters as a mode of advertisement.

The onset of World War II changed the Zippo Manufacturing Company forever. Due to wartime necessities, Zippo halted all lighter production for consumers, and instead allotted all its work to the U.S. military. This alternative priority brought about the transition from the traditional steel-cased lighter to the new black “crackle” finished lighter. A great portion of the U.S military employed the Zippo lighter during the war, which in turn caused Zippo to become a patriotic symbol all over the world. During World War II, Zippo was in full production supporting the U.S. Military. Consequently, this time period allowed Zippo to evolve into a financially stable and trustworthy company.

As soon as the war ended, Zippo revived its place in the consumer market and once again started to sell its lighters all over America. Blaisdell even constructed a car modeled after the Zippo lighter, which debuted in 1947.

In 1949, Zippo expanded its business and added another headquarters, Zippo Manufacturing Company Canada Ltd., in Niagara Falls, Ontario in order to avoid import duties. Aside from the main factory in Bradford, this is the sole location where Zippo lighters have been manufactured. If the Zippo lighter has been made at the Niagara Falls plant, there is a stamp on the bottom denoting it. In the 1990s, legislation passed free trade policies, thus negating the need for a Canadian manufacturing plant – it closed in 2002.

Date codes were issued on the bottom of every Zippo lighter since the mid-1950s. Originally, they were used to ensure high quality, but times have changed. Today, date codes have become a tool for collectors.

In 1956, the Zippo Company emerged with a new model called the Slim model. This novel lighter was manufactured to appeal to women, a major landmark in the company’s history. In 1962, the first non-lighter Zippo product was introduced into the market – the “rule”, a steel tape measure. Zippo has since then modified its product line through the years. Most of the non-lighter products were associated with promotional purposes: writing utensils, the ZipLight pocket flashlight, key chains, pocket knives, and golfing accessories.

George Blaisdell died on October 3, 1978, leaving many grief-stricken. He is known for not only his status as the founder of the Zippo lighter, but also for his kind and compassionate nature. His daughters Harriett B. Wick and Sarah B. Dorn inherited the Zippo Manufacturing Company after Blaisdell’s death. Through the 80s and 90s, Zippo was owned by six people – all from the Blaisdell family. Blaisdell’s grandson George B. Duke (Sarah Dorn’s son) currently owns the Zippo Company as Chairman of the Board, while Gregory W. Booth serves as the President and CEO.

Zippo successfully tackled the international marketing scene in the 70s and 80s by amplifying its global marketing efforts. Consequently, Zippo lighters are currently being sold in more than 120 countries, one of them being the largest non-U.S. market – Japan.

In the Early 90s, Zippo took possession of the W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery Company based in Bradford, Pennsylvania. This company is known for their superior sport knives, which are labeled as the “world’s most collectible knives”. The Case and Sons Company has been in business since 1889, boasting a long history. Today, both Zippo lighters and Case knives are viewed as valuable collectibles.

In the United States alone, there are about 4 million Zippo collectors and millions more in other countries. Collectors’ commitment to the Zippo franchise is truly exceptional. Catering to the needs of their collectors, Zippo started the Zippo/Case International Swap Meet in 1995. These meets currently take place each year, with the location alternating between Bradford, Pennsylvania and Japan.

Zippo made public the Zippo/Case Visitors Center in July of 1997. Its size is enormous at 15,000 square-feet and includes a museum, gift store, and also the distinguished Zippo Repair Clinic. The Repair Clinic has on display the many stages of lighter repair, and exhibits such as these have made the Visitors Center one of Pennsylvania’s most popular museums.

Zippo’s debut into Hollywood and Broadway has proved to be a significant influence on the collectible nature of the Zippo lighter. It has made an appearance in over 1,500 films, plays, and T.V. shows over many years. Some examples are “I Love Lucy”, “The X-Men” and “Hairspray – The Musical”, productions that come from a diverse set of genres.
The Zippo lighter is often used as a means to progress the storyline, to enhance the reality of the time period being depicted, or to add to a “look” of a character.

The Zippo lighter has made a statement in the music industry since the 1960s – mostly to pay tribute to specific artists (“The Zippo Moment”). The “click” sound of the Zippo lighter has been included in songs and the image of the lighter has been promoted on album covers, on celebrities’ skin as tattoos, and even on a Rolling Stones photo shoot. Having intimate ties to the rock music scene, Zippo began the Zippo Hot Tour in 2004 to feature new, unborn bands all over the U.S.

In the year 2002, Zippo launched the first company-sponsored Zippo Collectors’ Club, dubbed “Zippo Click”. The club acquired its name from the “click” sound that a Zippo lighter makes. Also, it is a play on words off of the term “clique”. Fans from more than 60 countries are currently registered as members of Zippo Click.

Then, Zippo debuted the Zippo MPL® (Multi-Purpose Lighter), a major new product line. As a refillable butane lighter, it proved to be a novel and utilitarian device. As s result, the success of the Zippo MPL led to the initiation of more items for the product line. In 2002, Zippo was granted a trademark registration, ensuring the security of the shape of the Zippo lighter. This trademark would protect Zippo from the hands of scheming counterfeiters.

Zippo took over D.D.M. Italia in March 2004, a European manufacturer of Italian leather products. Today, it has become Zippo Fashion Italia and continues to produce leather goods and fashion-forward handbags.

Since 1933, Zippo has produced about 425 million Zippo lighters as of the year 2006. The Zippo lighter is more than just a lighter – it has become a symbol of American culture. According to marketing lingo, Zippo has an unaided awareness rate of more than 98 percent. In other words, 98 of every 100 people surveyed are aware of the Zippo brand. That is, without any aid at all. Zippo is most definitely a highly recognized brand in the general public.

The Zippo lighter’s famous lifetime guarantee still holds today, unlike most other products with limited warranties. As Mr. Blaisdell used to say, “It works or we fix it free”. In the 75 years since the Zippo Company has existed, not one person has spent money to repair a Zippo lighter, no matter how old or worn it is.

There are literally a million uses for Zippo lighters. People love Zippo lighter love just for it's name and style also for its pragmatism, the many useful things that they can do with Zippo lighters. Here, we have compiled a short list of some of the many useful things that you can use your Zippo lighter for.

Zippo lighter can be used for:

• Lighting campfires
• finding lost items
• determining wind direction
• melting the ends of nylon ropes to prevent fraying
• use as a beacon on a boat
• collect them
• starting signal fires in all kinds of weather
• use as an emergency light
• include in a first aid kit
• expressing yourself with a pocket size billboard for your company or organization
• lighting birthday candles
• setting the scene for a romantic evening
• lighting wood-burning fireplace
• lighting a favorite flaming dessert
• a treasured personalized gift for Christmas or birthdays
• lighting a grill
• lighting a bonfire
• lighting patio torches
• lighting bug repellant candles
• take on fishing and camping trips

Collectables come in all shapes and sizes. Some people collect stamps, some people collect bottle caps, and many people collect various Zippo lighters. What makes lighters an interesting item to collect is the sheer amount of different varieties that have been created over the past 80 years or so. There are standard models but also some very unique items that can be worth thousands of dollars. If you are wanting to start collecting or are a collector already, there are a few different things you should consider.

Personal Preferences

If you decide to become a Zippo lighter collector, it doesn't necessarily mean you should buy every single Zippo you can get your hands on. You can find tons of them in pawn shops and yard sales but they might not be worth your time unless you see something special in them. You need to keep your personal tastes in mind. If you are ex-military and only want military type Zippos, you probably won't want to spend money on something that won't match your collection. It might be tempting to collect every one you can find but you may end up with more than you realize.

Condition of Used Lighters

Collectables are usually meant to be kept in pristine condition. You won't want to spend too much money on used Zippo lighters unless they are in very good condition. The outside of the lighter is probably the most important part to check thoroughly because most of the internal components are easily replaced. You want to check the outside of new purchases for any dents or deep scratches and avoid them if they don't look easily fixable. Believe it or not, many small dents can be fixed by simply pulling the lighter apart and pushing on the inside area opposite the dent.

Spread the Word

If you are collecting Zippo lighters, make sure to let your friends and family know. Especially if they are going on vacation to a foreign country in the near future. You can sometimes get amazing gifts from your friends and family if they know you are collecting. Wouldn't you rather have something you really like instead of a new pair of slippers every holiday? If Christmas is coming, it's a good time to mention to your spouse or parents a particular style or model you want to add to your collection. Zippos aren't terribly expensive unless they are antiques and you can probably get what you want without much fuss.

Zippo lighters have been popular since they were first created back in the 1930s. The Zippo was a great revolution in the way people could light cigarettes and campfires without having to worry about wind and the elements. This lighter was also very durable and could take a lot of abuse and still work without a hitch. Over the years, many different versions have been created and there are now hundreds of different types and models with tons of special designs. Today, Zippos come in three main types and these are liquid, butane, and mini.

The liquid fuel Zippo is the one most people are familiar with. Usually square shaped and made from stainless steel, you flip the top open, roll your thumb on the wheel and get a nice flame that won't blow out. These are the kind of lighters your grandparents probably used and they still remain very popular today. They are easy to maintain, come in hundreds of different designs, and can last a lifetime. Many highly recognized manufacturers and companies have their own version of the Zippo such as Marlboro, Camel, Harley Davidson, and even branches of the Armed Forces.

The butane line of Zippos goes under the name BLU and are made with the same sturdy quality that traditional Zippos are famous for. Instead of having to deal with the liquid fuel, you refill these lighters with butane and they produce a much hotter, more focused flame. The only downside to butane lighters is that they can eat up a lot of fuel fairly quickly, especially while camping. You should always have some extra gas handy just in case. This model of Zippo comes in every color and style you can imagine.

One of the newest entries to the Zippo family is the Mini MPL. This isn't your normal lighter but instead was specifically designed to light candles. Anyone who has tried to light one of those big candles in a glass jar knows how frustrating that can be. You either can't get the flame on the wick or have to turn the entire thing upside down which could get you an arm or leg full of wax. With the Mini MPL, you can easily light candles with wicks in regular and unusual places. The nice design is also perfect for lighting barbecue grills and camping lanterns.