Club Obi Wan

Just got the Elsa Zippo, and I was wondering what kind of lighter you guys prefer? Just realized I also have the one Marion uses.


Imco or Zippo? Any reason in particular?

FerFAL

I own both a Zippo and an Imco and I must say that for some reason I prefer the Zippo. I dont know why realy, but maybe it has something to do with the sound it makes when you pop the lid light it and close the lid. Great sound

Regards, Geert

I don't use a lighter. I use a cigar torch.

I've been using both for about 15 years and I have to say Imco. It's easier to maintain, it's more durable, it's 1/4 the cost and it's better looking in my opinion.

Here's an "Imco guy", too. As much as I love the classy style of the Zippo's, the fuel tank of the Imco seems to hold the fuel longer ...

I prefer my Zippo because I have a Ziplight insert in it that has been converted to an Led & buttom batteries by relic raider. I use the flashlight far more than I would use a lighter...

I am still undecided. I have had my Imco for 2-3 weeks and was very impressed with it at first. Out of the first 100 "strikes" it ignited 97 times, yes I kept track. It does hold fluid better and longer than a Zippo, however I find it difficult to access the flint to replace it, which I had to do tonight and the wick seems to burn up faster than a Zippo. I had to pull the wick up and cut a .25" off last weekend. I also seem to think that it is only igniting at 85-90 % now.

My Zippo's, I have three, the wicks and flint's seem to last longer. Yes there is no doubt the fluid has to be filled more often and two of the three have been sent back to Zippo for repair to the hinge. I am also partial to the distinctive sound that you get when lighting a Zippo although one of my Zippo's does not give off that sound.

I just wanted to add to this thread that I did some testing on fuel efficiency.

As stated in an earlyer post in this thread I own both a Zippo and an Imco lighter. A lot of people stated that the Imco lighter kept the lighter-fluid better and therefore lasted longer between refils. I thought it would be a nice little experiment to see how much longer it would take the Imco to be refueled.

First I filled my Zippo lighter and started using it exclusively untill it ran out of lighter-fluid. This took exactly one week. Next up was the Imco Lighter. It took the Imco two weeks to run out of lighter-fluid.

So, you might say the Imco is twice as efficient as the Zippo. Well, not quite: the Zippo needs about twice as much fluid to be filled, so the Imco is actualy 4 times as efficient!

Well, I stiil do prefer the Zippo though: I just love the sound the cap makes when you flick it open. The Imco just sounds less "organic".

Regards, Geert

Well, I’m very pleased with my lucky charm.
Surprisingly enough, I’ve been having an unusual amount of good luck so the lighter is already special to me, I don’t leave my house without it.

Also bought an original IMCO (the one I had was made in China) and yes, it is small and from what I’ve learned from my Chinese one, the fuel lasts almost twice as much, and disappears more easily in my jeans pocket.
That Chinese lighter saw a good amount of use and has been with me through my backpacking years, so it’s also special.

Still, I’ll keep carrying the lucky charm. It’s also fun when someone asks for a lighter and I pull mine out. Lots of “wow” and “cool” so far.

FerFAL

For the price, the IMCO's hard to beat. It retains fluid better than my Zippo (i.e., less refills) and, unlike Scot2525's experience, I found the flint to be easier to replace. Also unlike Scot2525, I've had mine for about a month and haven't found it necessary to touch the wick.

IMO, the one drawback with the IMCO is it's all-steel construction--very likely to rust if it gets wet. Years ago my Zippo got drenched by an idiotic co-worker (long story) and the brass outer case protected the steel inner housing rather nicely. If IMCO made their lighters from brass they would definitely be the better choice.

That said, I honestly couldn't say I prefer one over the other.

Where can you buy ome of the shamrock Zippo's.

I prefer the Zippo...

BendingOak wrote:I don't use a lighter. I use a cigar torch.

Me too, but it's a Zippo! Let me explain - I bought a genuine Zippo and a 'Z-Plus' gas torch insert. This is a great combination - you get the best of both worlds.

Where can you buy ome of the shamrock Zippo's.

Try contacting Relic Raider who is a member on these boards. Cheaper looking imitations can sometimes be found on eBay.

Thanks Indiana Mark VII .