In praise of the disposable lighter....

[tommy11]

I'm personally a fan of Zippo lighters.....only problem is that they run out of fuel in 2-3 days so obviously for survival a gas lighter is preferable.

I tried running tap water over my zippo when it was closed and it did light after a few tries....so you could say if you dropped one in a puddle or something it will work.

[Bowlander]

Just take a small jerry can of 'motion lotion' - great for firelighting too!

[Lister]

That said, if you really wanted to use the Zippo as a survival lighter, vacuum pack it so there is no air to allow the evaporation of the fuel, that should work shouldn't it? so when you want it, rip it out the packet and it's usable

[rik_uk3]

If you're camping yes , but the majority of 'out and about' posts are folk bimbling for a few km , having a brew up with a hobo stove and then going home. If I'm only out for a few hours give me a flask anyday.

For me brewing up on a stove is a means to an end, not an end itself.

I'll get me coat!

I agree, a flask for a day walk in winter is wonderful, I prefer a half bottle of wine and nibbles for a warmer weather walk myself.

[rik_uk3]

Just take extra lighters for crying out loud lol

[demographic]

Gas lighters are great little things, I have a Zippo kicking about in a drawer somewhere but its style over function as far as I'm concerned. Leave it for a few days and its not going to work.

Yeah, I like the click it makes when I open it but I'm less impressed by it not lighting after a few days when I don't even use it. I can't understand how they got such a reputation as being reliable when a Clipper totally trounces them.