Are you truly prepared?

I have a rule. If I need a jacket, I need to be carrying lighters.

 

In my AO, if I am out of the house, I need a lighter and matches!

 

If I need to, I can make fire without them, but it takes time.
When it's cold, time is in short supply, I carry several lighters to speed the process up.
If I had to make a firebow and fire board, when my hands were too cold to feel them, chances are, I'd get cut, or have a hard time of it.

 

Like I said, around here, it is mostly about it being too wet. One of the reasons I prefer matches is because I can reach into my bundle to light the only really dry stuff. Not really into burning my hand off with a lighter, or not having a fire lay prepared because I cannot reach it with the lighter.

As for spark based systems, they are a pain, and beyond my skill level in anything other than favorable conditions. I've seen times that diesel wouldn't start a fire around here.

 

It sounds like you should change your name to Aquaman........

 

Axes are better because you can build a house with one. Haha.

 

What a coincidence - I was just going to buy a Zippo lighter and thought I'd better check SM to see about alternative fuels for them... Lo-and-behold, this thread came up from Today :^)

Is there an alternative to the Zippo refill fuel? Will "general" lighter-refill fuel work (if there is such a thing)? Looks like I won't try Airplane fuel, but it would be nice to know what problem it had? Will Kerosene work?

I too have stored a few Bic lighters away and found most of them lose their butane over the years. This was why I started looking into the Zippo lighters, but I'm wondering if Zippo will have the same issue of the fuel "disappearing"/evaporating?

 

Even more so. Zippo's work by being in a constant state or evap. There are things like a ronson that are a jet(?) system that only releases fuel when you hit the switch.

 

I believe the ones you're thinking of are powered by butane but,

Ronson

 

In the toolbox of my truck I always carry a small propane torch as well. Works real good on the wet stuff.

 

I have a torch head in my hunting gear, for the same reason.

 

Any lighter fluid works, as does gasoline, including AvGas and Coleman fuel ("white gas")...jet fuel (basically kerosene) or diesel, not so much. The biggest thing to remember with a Zippo is not to overfill and then stick in your pocket...you'll only do it once unless you are severely masochistic.

 

Best to just buy several cans of lighter fuel. We have bics, zippos, survival fire kits and lots of Kitchen matches. Dont put all your eggs in one basket. When you see those Bic Lighters on sale?? buy them.