The empty lighter

you can pull the empty lighter apart and use the flint for a zippo

 

'Flints' in cheap lighters are poor quality, low temp sparks, don't light tinder easily, always carry at least two lighters with you on trips and have a lot more packed away for longer term trips/use.

 

Perfectly good enough for lighting a Trangia though.
Even good quality dark flint (I have had to buy mine in the form of knapped flints for a flintlock because there is non in the region where I live) doesn't give a spark that is anywhere near as hot as sparks from feroceum rods, it's all about the tinder.

 

More death from China.

I'll stick to Zippo lighters. We know naphtha.

Do any out there use Naphtha VM&P as a substitute for Zippo fluid? Me, I like the convenience of the Zippo can's dispensing top, however when empty, one could simply pop the top and pour in naphtha paint thinner. Do any of you do this and if so, what have been your results? The hardware store naphtha sure is cheaper and if you do painting work anyway then why not just use it.

Any other ideas? Please share.

Here are a couple of slow / boring videos showing tests of naphtha vm&p vs. Zippo fuel. Tests show the hardware store naphtha equivalent or slightly superior.

 

I keep a can of Zippo lighter fluid in my GHB. It is stored in double zip loc bags just in case it leaks. Wally World sells it for $1.99 a can. You can also store extra flint in the wadding of the Zippo lighter. Truthfully, I think my Zippos will last a lot longer than I will.

 

I'll stick with the commie gas lighters, they don't run dry if you leave them in a backpack for a few years as I have. I still got a couple of ferro sticks...must have kit for serious bushcrafters LOL

 

I have already prepared for the empty lighter event . I have put back multiple liquid fueled lighters , packs of flints and wicks for the lighters , and multiple cans of lighter fuel . I took " old geezers " advice some time back and also went to the hardware store and bought a can of naphtha .

 

The flints in those cheap lighters are longer than regular Zippo flints and I can actually start a fire with them as if they were a mini ferrocerium rod. I also put them in lantern lighters and they make a great easy fire starter. You just turn it slow and grind off a little dust and then spin it to start the fire.

 

I'd rather (and do) have a few fully operational lighters. When they run out, then can utilise the flints ...

 

This is why I buy Bic. I see on the side of the lighter stamped into the metal either made in the USA or France. Fuck China!

I also have a few electric lighters for when it's windy.

 

I seriously doubt anyone on these forums will have a problem creating fire as long as there is some sort of fuel available. Fire making tends to be one of the first skills that outdoors folks master when they start out hunting or camping. There is always a way....the dried up workings of a Bic just give another option.