So when I was buying Zippo lighter fluid a month ago I picked up a Star "Zippo-style" lighter as it was only 8 bucks.
I own five real Zippos and I can´t really say that I´m too happy with them. My pipe Zippo had to be sent in after about a month due to a bad hinge (would not close properly), and two of my display Zippos have lids that are on a little crooked. The two that I used regularly often had trouble lighting, even with new flint/wick/fluid (also after having been broken in). Flame would either die down or jump/pulsate every time. I missed my Bic.
Payed between 34 and 40 dollars for each of them.
But this chinese made Star lighter is made really well! The cam is strong, so the lid sits on tight, the insert does not ride up like on Zippos, and the fuel seems to last longer, possibly because there is less evaporation up the sides of the insert. No pulsing flame.
And for those who care - this lighter makes a proper "clink"! My Zippos sound like plastic compared to this one.
The insert is not as pretty as on a Zippo, and the holes are 3-1-3 rather than Zippos 3-2-3, but I don´t really care. I removed the left side of the chimney to make it more like the pipe lighter, and after that modification it´s really not pretty, but I have to say that it works like a charm, even better than the designated Zippo pipe insert. It´s also nice to have the right side of the chimney as a roof for the flame when its tilted on its side.
The real deal might be cool and all, but mine will be sitting in the glass cabinet, and I´ll get a few more Star lighters for actual use. Doesn´t matter to me where it´s made.
I own five real Zippos and I can´t really say that I´m too happy with them. My pipe Zippo had to be sent in after about a month due to a bad hinge (would not close properly), and two of my display Zippos have lids that are on a little crooked. The two that I used regularly often had trouble lighting, even with new flint/wick/fluid (also after having been broken in). Flame would either die down or jump/pulsate every time. I missed my Bic.
Payed between 34 and 40 dollars for each of them.
But this chinese made Star lighter is made really well! The cam is strong, so the lid sits on tight, the insert does not ride up like on Zippos, and the fuel seems to last longer, possibly because there is less evaporation up the sides of the insert. No pulsing flame.
And for those who care - this lighter makes a proper "clink"! My Zippos sound like plastic compared to this one.
The insert is not as pretty as on a Zippo, and the holes are 3-1-3 rather than Zippos 3-2-3, but I don´t really care. I removed the left side of the chimney to make it more like the pipe lighter, and after that modification it´s really not pretty, but I have to say that it works like a charm, even better than the designated Zippo pipe insert. It´s also nice to have the right side of the chimney as a roof for the flame when its tilted on its side.
The real deal might be cool and all, but mine will be sitting in the glass cabinet, and I´ll get a few more Star lighters for actual use. Doesn´t matter to me where it´s made.
