Twelve days ago I recieved my Indy clover Zippo from Relic Raider. It is a 1937 vintage model with standard urethane resin badges in satin finish.
It's a beautiful lighter - the finish is very crisp and clean and the inlaid clover itself looks amazing.
I choose the 1937 model because I really like the square flat lid - and because the model is more period accurate. I may order a standard 200 model, for display with my prop-replicas, someday.
I have bought a nice cigarette case to go with the lighter:
Both the lid of the lighter and cigarette case has been engraved with my initials:
That the urethane resin badges indeed are very sturdy was prooved the day after I got the lighter, when my mother accidently dropped the lighter on my parent's paved yard - with a few minor scratches on one corner as the only result. The lighter has been bought with the intent of using it - I am confident that it won't fail me.
All in all I am very happy with my new lighter - it won't be the last time I order something from Relic Raider.
I used to collect lighters and didn't smoke. Then I started smoking and gave up on the lighters. Now, I am done with the smoking and purchased a Relic Raider lighter just like Jeeps. Awesome.
GoneSolo: Yes, it's an awesome lighter - the pics doesn't do it justice at all.
J_Weaver: Thanks, I bought this lighter to be more of a personal thing rather than a prop-replica - I had it engraved to emphasise that and in order to prevent people from stealing it, I have had some experiences with people trying to steal my Zippo lighters before, I really hate that :evil:
I like that engraved top. Now I want one that says Relic Raider.
If the scratches are superficial, meaning if they don't go deeper than the clear urethane coating, you can use 400 or 600 grit sandpaper to remove those unwanted badges of honor. That's the main advantage of the satin finish over the glossy finish, which would require sanding with ever finer grit, followed by polishing. Should somebody ever ruin a badge for good, replacing it is of course possible.
A word on theft: Sadly it happens frequently with my lighters. Over the past few years, more than a handful of people have had their clover Zippos stolen. I guess I should be proud?
Relic Raider: I was actually suprised how cheap it is to have something engraved, I paid 80 D.Kr. (around 14 USD) to have both the lighter and cigarette case ingraved. I don't want to remove the scratches - I actually think it adds to the life and history of the lighter. My old brushed crome 200 Zippo, bought around 8 years ago, ended up looking extreamly beat up - every scratch had a history for itself (yep, I'm the sentimental type ). As to the theft-issue; I don't know what it is with people and Zippo lighters - but I have lost count of how many times I have had to ask to have my old Zippo back from people who just "borrowed" it. I have never experinced people trying to steal my money, cell-phone or pocket-watch, but the Zippo is almost sure to attract the attention of the wrong people.
GoneSolo: That sounds dreadfull! Who on Earth would mug another person because of a lighter?!
Michaelson: I have taken up your business card idea - my new GF is allergic to smoke, so no more smoking for me. If the choice is between poisoning your body and being with the most wonderful girl in the World - I guess there really isn't a real choice to be made
JEEP wrote:If the choice is between poisoning your body and being with the most wonderful girl in the World - I guess there really isn't a real choice to be made
/Jakob
Nope...that's definitely a 'no-brainer' choice. I've been with my 'girl' for over 30 years now....so I know that for a fact! GOOD for you!!!