Customer Reviews

Zippo Street Chrome Pocket Lighter

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I was delighted when I opened the package and saw this lighter. I wanted a Zippo that could be carried around in my pocket with loose change, a money clip, and other items which could mar the surface of a lighter. The random scratch pattern on the surface is actually quite attractive. Any minor "new" scratches will be completely invisible on this unit. The rest of the Zippos in my collection are "collectables," and I want to keep them pristine, since the ones with logos and art work ARE in fact, works of art. Mechanically, all Zippos are pretty much identical. They light easily, and they are of such simple design, that they function flawlessly. I've been collecting flint & fluid types of lighters since I was a kid in the 1950's, and I have yet to have owned one that I couldn't get to light. They are quite simply, too simple not to work! If you have a flint loaded, and flick the thumbwheel and it produces a spark, and you have a half inch of lighter fluid soaked wick, it WILL light. It doesn't have any choice! It would even light with non-approved fuels, like naphtha based lantern fluid, or even gasoline (I learned this when I was a dumb kid). I have a warning though: DON'T USE UNAPPROVED FUEL!!!!! Gasoline has dyes and other additives which will quickly foul your lighter, and it produces a horrible smell. Lantern fuel (such as Coleman) is similar to lighter fluid (naphtha is the key ingredient in gasoline, lantern fluid, and lighter fluid), except it burns hotter, and will evaporate quicker. DON'T USE IT. To do so would be dangerous. Use approved fuel only, such as Zippo, or Ronsonol (which is now made by Zippo). Why do I say that you MUST use an approved fuel? Because cigarette lighter fuel contains retardants which produce a more controlled burn rate, and also retards evaporation so that you don't have to refill the lighter as often. There is also the safety factor here to consider, in having a less volatile fuel.

OK, so where do you get flints and lighter fluid? Before the highly reliable, long-lasting, disposable butane lighters were invented, lighter fuel was available virtually everywhere: Mom&Pop stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, drug stores. In fact, it was hard to find a store where it WASN'T available. DON'T buy flints and fluid online. It is way too expensive, and they are not that hard to find in stores. I found the Zippo 12 oz. cans of fluid at my local grocery store (a well known national chain, which I don't want to plug) and it was priced at $3.50. The best place however, to buy flints and fluid is at the nation's largest retailer (the one founded by the late Sam Walton). It is usually located at one of the check stands. They sell Ronson flints for 40 cents (5 pack), and Ronsonol fuel (8 oz. can) for $1.65 (I'm plugging Ronson/Ronsonol because it's made by Zippo). Also, you can obviously find these products at specialty stores which sell pipe tobacco, cigars, etc. These are usually located in shopping malls and strip malls. You might pay a bit more at the specialty stores, but still, it would be cheaper than having to pay shipping and handling charges for online purchases.

User problems:

I still can't get over the number of people who think that this type of lighter should come filled with fuel. They aren't allowed to ship them that way. These lighters are not sealed units and are subject to evaporation. A tightly sealed shipping carton would fill up with volatile fumes. Such a box might even technically be considered a BOMB!

Can't get it to light?

(1) Sometimes after filling the lighter, raw fuel gets onto the flint, or the wick is oversaturated (too wet). Leave the lighter upright with the top open, and evaporation will take care of this problem. In a few minutes, try again.

(2) Bad Technique? If you are new to this type of lighter, you may be having trouble with the thumbwheel. Practice your technique. Flints are cheap! Remember when you were a kid, and somebody taught you how to snap your fingers, to make a very loud pop? It is the same sort of technique for operating the thumbwheel. A wimpy turn of the wheel will produce little if any spark. A hard, quick snapping of the wheel will produce a massive spark, and increase your chance of success.

Some final thoughts & suggestions:

These flint and naphtha based fuel lighters are relics of the past, and are best thought of as nostalgia, or collectable art pieces. If you are going camping or hunting, ALWAYS carry spare matches, or a butane lighter with you as a back-up. As several people have mentioned, these lighters lose fuel fairly rapidly due to evaporation. Always fill them on the day of your outing, and bring spare fluid and flints with you (Zippo makes a cute little key-chain canister which holds one lighter full of fuel, and an extra flint, available from Amazon). Another good reason that you MUST keep your lighter well fueled, is that the wick will burn up when it goes dry, and you will have to replace it.

To all the people complaining about it being scratched up and thinking its a "display model"...Its called STREET chrome for a reason, any zippo will get scratched up over time in your pocket, this just beats you to the punch. also for those complaining about it not lighting...
1. It doesn't ship with fuel in it and you have to buy it separately its just the law get used to it.
2. read up on proper use and maintenance of an item before you buy it.

Other than that, this is a good lighter, its just not as user friendly as the disposable bic lighters, and you need a bit of common sense to get its full value. If you don't feel like refueling and occasionally re-flinting/wicking your lighter this isn't for you.

Zippos are the best lighters by far. They're really reliable and i've never had one break on me. Even if it did, there's a lifetime warranty so i wouldn't need to worry about it. There isn't really much to say about this other than you can't beat it. Especially for $10.

I bought one of these in 1964 while I was in Air Force basic training for about $5. It had been a dear friend for many years. It provided great service until 1996 when it was lost out of a jacket pocket. It had been back to Zippo a few times for repair, mostly worn out hinges or hinge pins. Each time the lighter was repaired free and returned with new guts installed. The finish is not gauranteed and mine had been used so long that most of the chrome was worn off around the edges and some in the middle of the case. I found this wear to be sort of a record and history of all the places it had been with me. I was heart broken at it's loss.
It was definitely the most valued $5 I have ever spent. I just purchased several for gifts for my sons. I hope they will appreciate the longevity and quality I have enjoyed.

This is a great product, its long history says far more than I ever could. This item will sit in my pocket for a long time. I do not smoke but I do like playing with lighters and find it useful to have one around similar to my Swiss Army knife. It does run out of fluid weekly, but that takes about 2 minutes or less to remedy. Love it!

**DOES NOT COME WITH FLUID**
Don't rate poorly because it doesn't. If they had fluid in them while shipping they would become small bombs. It is easy to find fluid local drug stores have it.
**DOES NOT COME WITH FLUID**

I must say i love this lighter in came in two days.it came perfect but it didnt have any fluid inside wich kinda bad but overall it was a good purchase.

This is probably the most "basic" Zippo lighter you can get...just simple chrome, no logos or designs or matte finish. But thats what I wanted. Quality seems really good thus far, and so far no complaints. Definately would recommend this if your looking for a simple lighter that will last a long time.

I dont know why there are some negative reviews about the "finish". The "street chrome" is supposed to have all those tiny scratches. And also a note, they do not come pre-filled.

This is just a Zippo, and Zippo's are always that perfect. I really like the Street Chrome surface, because I don't really need to worry about scratch it as I did to the Black Ice one, and the lighter is durable, flame is strong and feels great in the hand as always.

Very stylish. I liked the brushed finish because then you don't have to worry about it getting scratched. A very good value. Also a very sturdy lighter.

This Zippo is not the most flashy or creative, yes. However it is a great Zippo for someone who has never had one before. It looks great and the "already scratched" look means it wont look bad if you manage to scratch it. I actually dropped it trying to do "Zippo tricks" and the case bent a little bit (dropped on a tile floor) but I sent it in and within 2 weeks my Zippo was back fixed up and it didn't cost me a dime.

I highly recommend this!