I'm not a smoker, but I do have two lighters that I like, always good to have the ability to make fire on you, never know when it might come in handy
I have a Solo Laser-Tech butane torch for the difficult to light stuff, it stays in my Bugout Bag's firemaking kit (tinder-quik, Swedish Firesteel, Strike-Anywhere matches the SLT torch, and a magnesium brick firestarter), it's a little fussy sometimes and can take a couple clicks to fire up, but it's a decent enough butane lighter
However, I carry with me one of my Zippos, right now I have three, the classic brushed chrome, a Granite painted one (not really happy with this one, it doesn't close flush, and the lighter core is tempermental, I should send it to Zippo for repair) and a brushed brass, the brass one is my favorite, as it's slightly heavier than the chrome one, and has a slightly deeper "klink" when it opens, as long as they're topped off, the Zippos are quite reliable, one to two striker wheel turns and I have fire
Fire GOOOOD!!!
There's just something "timeless" about the Zippo "experience", the clink of the lid opening, the pungent odor of Naptha, the scratch of the striker wheel, the flash of the spark from the flint, the "fwipp" as the flame appears, the dance of the flame in the air, it's comforting, warming glow, and finally, the snap of the cap closing with a flick of the wrist
I remember camping with Dad, back when he used to smoke a pipe, he and his camping freind, Ernie, both of them would always use a Zippo, to light their pipes, to start the campfire, that simple clink brings back fond memories
Dad no longer smokes, Thank Og, and I'm pretty sure he threw out or gave away his Zippo, pity, really, you don't have to smoke to find a Zippo useful
the Solo Laser-Tech is a high tech firestarting system, but it just doesn't have the appeal of the humble Zippo
the Zippo is also unmatched in it's versatility, since it's a liquid fuel lighter, it can burn any combustible liquid, I found that Alcohol (91% Isopropyl) gives a clean, hot blue flame, but it doesn't last too long, it self-extinguishes after a couple minutes, and the flame is short, maybe 3/4" above the chimmney
I just placed an order for another Zippo last night, the #168 Brushed Brass "Armor" lighter, the Armor series has a thicker, heavier case than a standard Zippo, and the brass model especially, will have a nice, satisfying weight to it
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