Thanks so much for uploading this I actually thought about asking you to do this review in the comments, but there were other people asking for other things and I didn't want to overwhelm you, perfect timing BTW I have an armor high polish chrome coming in the mail :)
This is a very detailed and the best review I have seen. I was trying to decide on buying the armour Zippo, after seeing this video I will. I wished Zippo would put the heavier hinge on them would be Awsom.
From my experience, the newer the zippo, the higher pitched ping it has. All of my new 2012 lighters have a higher pitched ping, but I know they are real because I bought them from the Bradford museum (that's the nice thing about living in PA and so close to Bradford), while my 1950, 1972, and 2003 all have that real nice ping. The 1972 has the best because the lid falls off when I open it, lol.
You actually spoke to a rep about improving the longevity of the fuel reserve and they said "that's not zippo?" -- What an odd thing to say... It's not like they've been afraid to make modifications to their design throughout history.
A lot of family, friends, and neighbors smoke, and many love their Zippos. But I don’t recall anyone who’s shown me tricks with their lighters. Nor do I know anyone who takes a Zippo and wiggles the life out of the hinge. Perhaps you could show us all the tricks that you do, because now I’m really curious. I myself do not smoke, but I have a modest collection of about 50 Zippos, and I agree with you that the Armor version really takes engraving welI. I also like the patina that develops on the sterling silver ones. And I have a brass Zippo with a butane insert in my EDC.
Seriously, the hinge is the only problem left with Zippos. The shell is fine, the insert is down to a science but there is still the same achilles heel and for decades. 2x thick hinge and you've got the perfect lighter. I've done home improvements on test Zippos like rubbing a littly petroleum jelly around the outside of the insert and spraying the inside of the lid lightly with a can of rubberized undercoating for cars (let it sit for a while, still flammable) and It holds fuel a lot longer
In a smoker view the hinge is an important upgrade even if you dun do tricks, the hinge will get get loose one day. Hopefully zippo next improvements should consider more on the tightness to keep the fuel from leaking.
Jeff..Always wanted an Armor Zippo in Sterling Silver and a Titanium....main problem with them other than fuel longevity is I have big hands. I wish they would just make a slightly bigger model altogether. Is regular naphtha from hardware stores, by the gallon a good substitute for name brand fuel? Thanks...
Standard armor and pipe insert. I heard it right the first time. I think zippo has trouble creating a larger hinge that will fit onto the side width of the lighter without changeing the overall sound of the lighter. Or rethinking the entire design of the lighter itself. Wich would be costly. I always treat the zippos I want to keep prestine carfully on the hinges because it is a problem. The wieght of the armor does help with this.
I was all excited to post my quiz answers, then you gave the answers right away. Now people won't think I'm awesome :( lol just kidding, but I did know. I think the pipe lighter sounds best
Zippo's have a lifetime warranty on everything but the finish. If your hinge gets sloppy or completely breaks send it in to them and they should fix it. So the hinge doesn't bother me as much as dents. I have a couple Zippo's that could use an overhaul that I plan on sending in. Going to see if they can take the dents out but I don't know if they will.
Just curious who pays for the shipping sending it in? Some low end Zippos cost about $12-$13 new, so if I have to pay for shipping sending in, mind as well get a new one.
wow I've never seen someone review the sound a zippo makes when opening and closing the lid in such detail.. Thanks man. Do people really take that into consideration when making a zippo purchase? cheers
Yeah I got my first zippo on my 14th birthday and it has this poker chip design on it. the case is busted so it’s hard to get the insert out. And the hinge is broken of course I honestly hate it. so I’m probably going to get the 35’ replica to carry around. One question is it worth it?
With the new generation of American sports car coming out. What do you think that Zippo could do to redesign the Zippo? I think the insert should stay the same but could they create a new case? What could they do in your opinion. I would like to hear any one's opinion on this.
Very interesting that zippo stays with the same product and is afraid to improve it. I get the desire to keep the design and its a great one. however the hinge has been the only problem, if there going to improve anything to needs to be the hinge.
Could they make another version which doesn't lose fluid as fast but not have it replace a normal Zippo and just make it another option like the armour
1 standard 2nd was the armor 3rd pipe why say it! i wanted to tell by the high pitch of the pipe, the armor also had high but less, and a normal standard has a much less pitch in comparison
You know how you read comment/anything in your head, with your own voice? Yeah well i physically cannot imagine anyone but that robot voice saying that lol
i got the same haha nice (the one with the some sort of celtic cross thing on it), but a friend gave it to me and he accidentally dropped it on the ground and its doesn't work anymore (and he still has all the paper so i cant get the warranty and shit) but its ok i use it as a dummy zippo so i can practice my zippo tricks
Hey Jeff. I'm not sure if you still do zippo tricks but I recently discovered something called the "team pistol super player" which improved the reliability of the hinge. Not kidding team pistol has been making those for over ten years. just search 双枪 超级玩家 with google images and you'll see. It's as light as the normal zippo but the hinge is improved. It also supports zippo inserts.
They won't make them retain their fuel longer because otherwise they would lose money on the fewer fluid they would sell, still can't fault them though with the lifetime warranty and all that.
couldn't you just tap out that pin in the hinge and get yourself a little titanium or high speed steel pin put in there yourself and have a badass little superman tough of a hinge pin
I'm having trouble with my zippo...(it is not an armor zippo) but my flame is kinda floating. I've tried cutting and moving around the wick but the flame is floating still (ps it is floating on the side near the flint) please help someone.
If you buy Zipos from Japan £150 is normal, But they do specials like Anime theme or lacquered or titanium coated But postage is high and I think you have to pay duty/VAT etc. I'm from UK by the way.
