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Originally Posted by T_Inman
Slightly off topic, and I am unsure of how well they work at extreme altitude, but I always have a couple Walmart special road flares in the map pocket of my pack.


What does one of those things weigh?



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Originally Posted by Rock Chuck
Of course you wouldn't use this backpacking, but when I'm packing with the llamas, this always goes along. It's great for starting up the wood stove.
[Linked Image]


My buddy found one of those on the side of th road and it has been our camp lighter for many years.

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BIC lighters, take two of them. Also use inner tube rubber as firestarters, which might be just a Kiwi thing.
After doing a couple of canoe trips that came undone, I have started carrying one of those magnesuim striker things that are all the rage - not because I want to light a fire with them like a mountain man, but because at least you can light the gas cooker with them and make a cup of tea while you wait eight minutes for your Bic lighter to dry out. Bic lighters are remarkably efficient.

Last edited by CarlsenHighway; 05/08/17.

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Originally Posted by smokepole
Originally Posted by T_Inman
Slightly off topic, and I am unsure of how well they work at extreme altitude, but I always have a couple Walmart special road flares in the map pocket of my pack.


What does one of those things weigh?


Not too sure, but they couldn't be more than 4-5 ounces each. I usually carry 2 and I never notice them weight or bulk wise.



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BIC all the way. I have and carry a couple of the butane lighters. I trust the BICs to work and I like that you can see the amount of fuel remaining. I also like to use them to read wind so I have way too many with my. I figure they weigh nothing and I don't want to ever have to start a fire with a spark if I don't have to.

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Originally Posted by 338WIN
BIC all the way. I have and carry a couple of the butane lighters. I trust the BICs to work and I like that you can see the amount of fuel remaining. I also like to use them to read wind so I have way too many with my. I figure they weigh nothing and I don't want to ever have to start a fire with a spark if I don't have to.
If it's an emergency, using a spark is the LAST thing you want to do. You want an inferno and you want it NOW.


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Bic, one in my pocket, one in my pack, and military matches in my first aid kit.

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Originally Posted by Rock Chuck
Originally Posted by 338WIN
BIC all the way. I have and carry a couple of the butane lighters. I trust the BICs to work and I like that you can see the amount of fuel remaining. I also like to use them to read wind so I have way too many with my. I figure they weigh nothing and I don't want to ever have to start a fire with a spark if I don't have to.
If it's an emergency, using a spark is the LAST thing you want to do. You want an inferno and you want it NOW.


If you want an inferno and want it now, that leaves the road flare option posted above. I've carried flares or a flare gun in my pack for years. You can start a fire with a flare gun, but what you're shooting into must be able to absorb it or it's going to ricochet.


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My old ZIPPO works every time and has for many, many years.

[Linked Image]

L.W.


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Originally Posted by Leanwolf
My old ZIPPO works every time and has for many, many years.

[Linked Image]

L.W.
How well does that inner tube keep the fluid from drying out? I can fill mine and in 4 or 5 days, it's dry.


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R.C., a number of years ago I ran a test on that. First, I don't smoke so I was not lighting the ZIPPO 25/30 times a day for cigarettes. Once a day I would light it for 15 seconds, simulating getting some fine kindling going, then put the rubber band back on. I did this each day for eight weeks and it never failed. After eight weeks, I stopped the test simply because what it proved to me was that in an emergency, it would last me a long time.

I've also carried a cleaned small Tobasco bottle as illustrated, filled with lighter fluid. It is in my day pack but I've never had to use it.

Should one overfill the lighter, the rubber "ranger" band keeps the lighter fluid from leaking and blistering one's skin, if it is in a pants pocket. I cut the bands from a used bicycle tube. If I overfill the Zippo, I just let it stand open for five minutes and then no problem.

The ZIPPO is far more windproof than a BIC, can stand alone, and much easier to light if one's hands are extremely cold. I also put it in a glass of water for two hours to see if the band really made it waterproof. It does. Fired up on the first strike.

The ZIPPO that is burning I won in a Sunday afternoon barracks poker game when I was in the Army stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in 1959. About ten years ago it was getting "weary" so I sent it to ZIPPO and they returned it tightened up, a new wick, cotton filling, flints, and nearly like a new one. Only cost to me was the $2.00 to mail it to them. That's what you call quality service. grin

As I said, it works for my needs.

L.W.


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When using a bic for just about any purpose I always end up with a half cooked thumb. I don't want any lighter that runs only with my hide adjacent to the flame. Zippos aren't perfect, but they are pretty darned good. I have had very good experiences with several different flint/steel options.


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Originally Posted by Leanwolf
R.C., a number of years ago I ran a test on that. First, I don't smoke so I was not lighting the ZIPPO 25/30 times a day for cigarettes. Once a day I would light it for 15 seconds, simulating getting some fine kindling going, then put the rubber band back on. I did this each day for eight weeks and it never failed. After eight weeks, I stopped the test simply because what it proved to me was that in an emergency, it would last me a long time.

I've also carried a cleaned small Tobasco bottle as illustrated, filled with lighter fluid. It is in my day pack but I've never had to use it.

Should one overfill the lighter, the rubber "ranger" band keeps the lighter fluid from leaking and blistering one's skin, if it is in a pants pocket. I cut the bands from a used bicycle tube. If I overfill the Zippo, I just let it stand open for five minutes and then no problem.

The ZIPPO is far more windproof than a BIC, can stand alone, and much easier to light if one's hands are extremely cold. I also put it in a glass of water for two hours to see if the band really made it waterproof. It does. Fired up on the first strike.

The ZIPPO that is burning I won in a Sunday afternoon barracks poker game when I was in the Army stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in 1959. About ten years ago it was getting "weary" so I sent it to ZIPPO and they returned it tightened up, a new wick, cotton filling, flints, and nearly like a new one. Only cost to me was the $2.00 to mail it to them. That's what you call quality service. grin

As I said, it works for my needs.

L.W.

I'm not a smoker either, but love my Zippo and carry it every time I head to the mountains, and EDC during the winter months.

I've read (in passing) about using a ranger band, but haven't tried it yet. I definitely will now.

I have tried sealing the lighter with a lap of electrical tape, and wrapping extra around the bottom. But ultimately that didn't work because the fumes seem to dissolve the adhesive after a few days..........and it's a minor pain playing with the tape.

With two month fill times, and two hour water resistance, I'll be tracking down some inner tube very soon.


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I have a bike out here with a flat. Maybe it needs a new tube.
That's the only problem I've had with Zippo's. Evaporation. I'm another non-smoker so I carry mine only for fire starting.


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In a pinch you can drop a couple of drops of gasoline on the wick of your zippo. Don't put it in the cotton in the bottom. miles


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If I'm in need of a fire, I'm likely not near enough to the truck to have gas handy. If the truck IS handy, I likely will have a propane torch in it.
Besides, my truck is a diesel and that's not a bad fire starter either.


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Originally Posted by Rock Chuck
Originally Posted by 338WIN
BIC all the way. I have and carry a couple of the butane lighters. I trust the BICs to work and I like that you can see the amount of fuel remaining. I also like to use them to read wind so I have way too many with my. I figure they weigh nothing and I don't want to ever have to start a fire with a spark if I don't have to.
If it's an emergency, using a spark is the LAST thing you want to do. You want an inferno and you want it NOW.


Yep just read Jack London's story about lighting a fire and you'll see just how grave that situation can be.

I've got those mini-BIC lighters stashed everywhere throughout my outfit, but ALWAYS keep a couple in a ziplock full of vasoline-covered dryer lint. That stuff is pretty serious fire starter.

Funny... I'll buy a pack of 'em and have them in what seems like every pocket during a trip, then come home and it's as if they vanish.

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bic... three or more scattered throughout the pack.


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Originally Posted by Tanner
Still Flickin' my Bic... I usually carry 3...

Tanner




This. Why mess with it?


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I pack a small Bic -- but I usually start fires with a ferro steel striker with cottonballs smeared with vaseline. That will get a fire going in even the worst conditions and I find it far more reliable than the Bic. Not a knock on the little lighter, but wet fingers can cause them to crap out.

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