Zippo Lighter And Flints

[salmonfisher]

While on an ATV ride yesterday, went to light a bowl of baccy, lighter wouldn't spark, no problem I said and pulled it out to get to a spare flint I store in the cotton and WOW, that flint was nothing but mush...a first for me. Anyone ever have this happen?

 

[barleynbaccy]

I haven't seen it in newer flints, but I was gifted my grandfathers WWII brass lighter from my dad. He said it had quit working years before, and upon inspection the flint had crumbled and turned into a hardened clay like substance in the flint tube. A good clean out and, it's working like it was traveling through Europe.

 

[jitterbugdude]

I just had a similar situation. I bought a Beattie lighter of Ebay and it wouldn't spark. A careful examination showed the flint hole to be completed plugged with powdered flint. A quick cleaning and it was good to go.

 

[skapunk1]

Nope....never even heard of this.
Strange

 

[huntertrw]

I find the red Ronson flints to be long lasting. As for one degrading after prolonged exposure to naphtha in the fluid chamber of your lighter, I am not surprised. It is an excellent solvent.