I think I’m done with Zippo Butane Pipe Insert

[AreBee]

*** Old man screaming at the clouds. ***

The design is just awful. The regular pipe insert has holes on both sides allowing for a perfect draw into the bowl, and the butane version only has a hole on one side. Couple that with the miniature button that has to be held down so close to the flame, and it just makes for difficult and sometimes painful experience. The Vector Thunderbird pipe lighter has a much better design, but in my experience, their reliability and warranty has been seriously lacking. Zippo is such a fantastic company that it confuses me how bad this product was designed. Anyone try this insert and like it?

 

[Peter Turbo]

I ditched it awhile back, I just use the regular pipe insert or any other soft flame at this point.

 

[geoffs]

Zippo butane inserts have let me down, so I have not tried this one. I had the butane torch and it was finicky as hell and lasted only long enough to light a few cigars before needing a refill.

 

[The Benedictine]

I use matches or a Bic depending on the wind.

 

[ashdigger]

You guys are still using Zippos?

 

[The Benedictine]

You guys are still using Zippos?

View attachment 397056

Talk about a charred rim

 

[didimauw]

I've stayed away for those reasons. I've never tried one, but feared the complaints listed here haha.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[lraisch]

All valid criticisms but I still use mine occasionally. You must be careful to keep your thumb clear in any event.

Most of the time I use an Old Boy or similar Xikar.

 

[mpxstyle]

I've got one, and is absolute awful experience. I love zippos, I love the pipe insert, but I don't smoke daily, so I waste a lot of fuel that just evaporate, and with that in mind, I still use my zippo a lot. So I got the butane pipe insert, and totally hate it, burn my hand, the gas lasted like only one pipe, is amanzing awkward to hold it, the flame is massive without the posibility to adjust it....may be could be a little better if there is not need to push the gas all the time.

 

[Snook]

I bought this insert and used it maybe twice before I said, "F*** this" and went back to my regular pipe insert with it's gigantic and unwieldy flame.

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

I've only used the Z-Line pipe insert, which is a bit short of absolute reliability.

Years back (I don't remember its name) I did have one of those chrome tube thingies with a cubical box at the center with a hole through from top to bottom, but stopped trying to use it when I realized that I was going to have to refill it's fuel tank before EVERY use.

 

[ziv]

I've had a B&M tobacconist recommend butane insert to me. One should know better than listen to a tobacconist's advice.

 

[Waning Embers]

Not even made by Zippo, they outsourced them to China. I avoided buying one.

 

[ssjones]

I have two Thunderbirds I bought 14 years ago, both work well, I guess that I got lucky.

Cool Elvis Zippo!

 

[AreBee]

I have two Thunderbirds I bought 14 years ago, both work well, I guess that I got lucky.

Cool Elvis Zippo!

I think 14 years for is lucky for any lighter!

I bought the Thunderbird pipe insert and I was able to fill it once before it broke. I contacted KGM who offered to replace it if I shipped it to them, at my cost, along with a $5 check for return shipping. Since I paid $12 for the insert I moved on.

 

[Sig]

Not even made by Zippo, they outsourced them to China. I avoided buying one.
View attachment 397097

Of course they do.
Why would they buy and maintain equipment to build these niche items?
It's just good business.
These inserts are made in the same factories that make novelty gas station lighters.

 

[Waning Embers]

Why would they buy and maintain equipment to build these niche items?

Like any other company would, company integrity. They've stood by their Made in the USA standard for decades and outsourcing is a big black mark.

These inserts are made in the same factories that make novelty gas station lighters.

Another reason not to buy one.

 

[tatter]

Shame on me....I didn't check here prior to buying the Zippo Butane Insert. I hate it for all the reasons already stated. I really wanted to love it damn it!

 

[Sig]

Like any other company would, company integrity. They've stood by their Made in the USA standard for decades and outsourcing is a big black mark.



Another reason not to buy one.

I 100% agree.
But, with the amount of these inserts they sell, the profit wouldn't ever pay for the machines, overhead and labor.
With all these Chinese lighters out there, Zippo is barely hanging on.
They aren't as popular as they once were.
Talking to a guy who has worked at the factory for 18 years, he said a large portion of their profits in the USA are from promotional lighters, and personalized group buys, like when a company buys 100 lighters for their employees. The rest comes mainly from commemorative lighters and company logo branding. Hardly any profit comes from a dude buying a Zippo in a store or online.
Funny enough, without the Chinease market, they probably would not exist. In China Zippos are like blue jeans and Chevy pickups....very cool.

 

[anotherbob]

I still want to try one. In part because I have a bunch of butane and no lighter to fill it with. Love the Zippo but hate the rate which I have to refill the thing and more so how if I don't use it the fuel just goes to waste.