Author: Joseph

A brief sampling of very old lighters that still get the job done.

A Warning.

If you have come to the conclusion that using collectible vintage lighters to make

fire is the path you’re going to follow, then I want to say be careful. Any time you are working with any kind of fuel you need to make certain that your workspace is properly vented.

I’ve been doing this for a while and fortunately I haven’t had any catastrophic events. I have however, had a fire or two that if I hadn’t been prepared could have led to something really bad. Continue reading “Collectible Vintage Lighters: Are They Worth Using?”

A Benevolent Post-Industrial Manifesto

How Much Convenience Do We Require?

Have you ever paid attention to the Zippo lighters for sale at your local Wal-Mart, Winco or other retail chain? No? Well, if you have come to this post then you likely have some interest in lighters. Maybe you don’t smoke but have family and friends who do.

Either way, you’re going to want to keep reading and pass this information along to anyone who uses a lighter.

So, I was there in the store looking at the display of all the lighters available. It looked something like Continue reading “Zippo Lighters for Sale at Wal-Mart: An Alternative”

So, you know the vintage lighter you want to purchase, how do you know you’re getting a fair price?

Functional or Collectible?

One important variable to consider before buying vintage lighters on EBay is your purpose for the lighter. Are you planning to use it or are you simply adding another lighter to your collection to admire?

I’ll use myself as an example. The most important aspect of collecting and repairing lighters for me is that they succeed at making fire. I don’t really care about collectability. I care a ton about quality. I care most of all that it lights when I need it to. If it won’t make fire then it is just a curio and I don’t really have a lot of space in my life for things of that sort. Continue reading “Buying Vintage Lighters on Ebay: Our guide to pricing.”

Is there any real value in all those so-called collectible lighters?

Zippo, Ronson, Dunhill and the like…

We’ve all heard the distinctive “ping” sound made famous by the classic Zippo Windproof Lighter. Less common but just as useful is the American made Dunhill Service Lighter or trench lighter which may actually be the most dependable lighter that I myself have ever owned. And how about those old fancy Ronson Case and Table lighters? If you’re asking, “Are vintage cigarette lighters collectibles?” Continue reading “Are Vintage Cigarette Lighters Collectibles? Maybe”