Any Zippo collectors here?

Is anyone else here into collecting Zippos? New issue or old. I have 80+ with a few more new ones about to be ordered, the Mazzis and Kit Raes. How do you display them? In the box or out? Display case or a shelf? I'm looking at getting a wall mounted display case that holds 144 out of the box.

I worked in a tobacco shop one time but I only bought one. It was a Y2K special. Hah.

I really enjoyed selling the Zippos though even though they have probably gone overboard in the variety of "artwork" and designs now. One thing I discovered about the Zippos if you want to use them the Zippo lighter fluid does work best in them. We got a nice markup on Zippo ligher fluid.

Once I discovered what Zippo fuel was, I started using Coleman lantern fuel in them. Never a problem.

BCatl said:

I worked in a tobacco shop one time but I only bought one. It was a Y2K special. Hah.

I really enjoyed selling the Zippos though even though they have probably gone overboard in the variety of "artwork" and designs now. One thing I discovered about the Zippos if you want to use them the Zippo lighter fluid does work best in them. We got a nice markup on Zippo ligher fluid.

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winston61 said:

Once I discovered what Zippo fuel was, I started using Coleman lantern fuel in them. Never a problem.

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What is Zippo fuel? Isn't Coleman lantern fuel a form of gasoline? BTW I only collect them, I don't use them any more. I smoke cigars and don't want any liquid fuel tainting the flavor. Butane only for me, but not a Zippo Blue.

OLDMAN said:

I only have one - my dads from 1948, he got it when he bowled a 300 game when he was in a league. I found it in his drawer after he passed away a couple of years ago. I sent it Zippo to get it re-done, when I got it back the guts were like new. The case was another story - that they don't do. A guy I work with knows somebody that has a chrome business - he did it for $25 - ground all the rust and stuff of it and re-chromed it. It's like new - great for cigars.

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Zippo is probably the worst light for a cigar; tends to taint the tobacco flavor, unless you hold the flame well away from the tip to get rid of most of the 'flavor'. But, to each his own. I prefer a butane torch, another thing I tend to collect, probably 20-30 of them, some pretty nice.

Is the case engraved or have a badge of some sort applied? A picture would be appreciated by this collector. Not necessary, but nice. I'm going to try to get a good shot of most of my collection to show. I know you all love 'porn'.

The guts probably weren't like new, most likely completely new. I don't thinks it's worth it to them to fix the guts, cheaper to replace it.

captp said:

Zippo is probably the worst light for a cigar; tends to taint the tobacco flavor, unless you hold the flame well away from the tip to get rid of most of the 'flavor'. But, to each his own. I prefer a butane torch, another thing I tend to collect, probably 20-30 of them, some pretty nice.

Is the case engraved or have a badge of some sort applied? A picture would be appreciated by this collector. Not necessary, but nice. I'm going to try to get a good shot of most of my collection to show. I know you all love 'porn'.

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For the price I pay, and as often as I smoke cigars it doesn't make that much of a diff - but I do keep it as far away from the tip as possible. I would say it's more like embossed - it's a male bowler in stride throwing the ball - the side has engraving that reads (albeit very difficult) 300 game - Rock Falls Bowl 12-15-48.

captp said:

Zippo is probably the worst light for a cigar; tends to taint the tobacco flavor, unless you hold the flame well away from the tip to get rid of most of the 'flavor'. But, to each his own. I prefer a butane torch, another thing I tend to collect, probably 20-30 of them, some pretty nice.

Is the case engraved or have a badge of some sort applied? A picture would be appreciated by this collector. Not necessary, but nice. I'm going to try to get a good shot of most of my collection to show. I know you all love 'porn'.

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Here's a stock picture of it...I don't have a digital camera (prefer my 35mm's) and my cell phone camera won't cut it.....this one is from 1947 but who knows when my dads was actually made.

OLDMAN said:

Here's a stock picture of it...I don't have a digital camera (prefer my 35mm's) and my cell phone camera won't cut it.....this one is from 1947 but who knows when my dads was actually made.

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Nice lighter to own.

Most Zippos have a date code on the bottom of the lighter, but wouldn't you know it, 1947-48 are the only years I can't find any info on.

'42-'46 would be stamped Black Crackle, Patent 203695 (error in actual Patent number)

'49-'57 stamped Patent 2517191 with patent pending.

Sorry I couldn't help more on the date.

I have about 50 zippos. the two I use the most are a 1941 style with custom clover emblems to make it look like the one Indy used in Last Crusade (when Seniro set castle Brunwald on fire) & a 1937 style with the same emblems only with a Ziplight insert that has been converted to accept button cell batteries & has an LED instead of a bulb.

I have about 30 - 40 that are all displayed in a rotating zippo display case from an old tobacco store

sleekandsmooth said:

I have about 30 - 40 that are all displayed in a rotating zippo display case from an old tobacco store

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That's a good way to display them.
I had a chance this week to get 1 or 2 of those from my local when I pulled the 80 Zippos out and displayed them in a newly cleaned and lighted glass display case. Told the owned I wasn't redoing the display for the cases, I was doing it for the Zippos.

Zippo did replace the 'guts' Zippo will assume you don't want them screwing with an older case. most folks don't want an old special (to them) case messed with.

Zippo's are just fine to light cigars (or pipes) with use the new fuel in the black can and let the flame burn a second or two before lighting.

If you are using Coleman Fuel in your lighter be very careful.

if you want to see the differance squirt a puddle of Zippo fuel on the sidewalk and light it.

do the same with coleman fuel and being very careful light it. be very sure the closed can of Coleman fuel is not in the area.

Blue Raccoon said:

Zippo did replace the 'guts' Zippo will assume you don't want them screwing with an older case. most folks don't want an old special (to them) case messed with.

Zippo's are just fine to light cigars (or pipes) with use the new fuel in the black can and let the flame burn a second or two before lighting.

If you are using Coleman Fuel in your lighter be very careful.

if you want to see the differance squirt a puddle of Zippo fuel on the sidewalk and light it.

do the same with coleman fuel and being very careful light it. be very sure the closed can of Coleman fuel is not in the area.

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I use Zippo black can fuel and don't notice much of a "taste" - yeah the guts were new and they did fix the hinge (it was really wobbly) and I debated getting it chromed but it was so sad looking - I was considering getting it done for my dad years ago (he was a pipe smoker and used it for that) but never got around to. So I figured why not now? And did it....

Blue Raccoon said:

Zippo did replace the 'guts' Zippo will assume you don't want them screwing with an older case. most folks don't want an old special (to them) case messed with.

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Actually, Zippo doesn't repair cases or finishes, beyond broken pins, hinges and other things like that, only the guts. They may (not sure) clean and polish the case, or replace it if it's beyond repair, but only the basic cases, not the fancier ones. I've heard about people who find Zippos that look like they were run over by a tank, and Zippo replaced it with a new one.

If you send in an engraved one that's beyond repair, I think they'll send it back to you with an explanation.

Never costs you anything beyond the postage to send it to them.

winston61 said:

Once I discovered what Zippo fuel was, I started using Coleman lantern fuel in them. Never a problem.

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Thanks for the information! I've enjoyed reading this thread. Yes the older ones would be the ones to have. I can understand not wanting the odor of the fuel if you were a cigar smoker. However, I love the smell of opening a Zippo and lighting a cigarette. I didn't do that often because I usually carried a bic lighter, but when I did use a Zippo you can't forget the experience. Finally quit smoking about 4 years ago now. I'm too old to take chances.

I have been collecting Zippo's for over 30 yrs.I had 136 until I discoverd ebay.Im down to about 30 now.Im being picky about it now.

For in depth info on zippo.I found glenszippopage.com to be very informative.

Yes I have some (few zeppos , Vintage Ronsons,) .
Thinking selling some!

When I use a Zippo light a cigar, which is infrequently, I let it burn about 10 seconds first, then I start toasting the tip.