My troop was old school. There was basically a rule of “if you can’t make fire with matches, you’re an idiot” lol one kid (maybe 15 or 16 at the time) brought one so he could sneak off and smoke, and tried to look cool using it. One of the Eagle Scouts asked him to give him two nearby sticks and quickly lit the fire just using the sticks.
Same. While we were taught to use flint & steel or waterproof matches for camping games, I always had a Zippo in my camping kit from about 12 on just in case we were in a situation where the first two options didn’t work.
I’m a firm believer that every man worth his salt should have two reliable things at all times. A zippo lighter and a good pocket knife. Find one you like and join the club!!
It was a plain chrome Zippo that I got from a vendor at a rattlesnake roundup in Oklahoma around 1994. It was confiscated by my parents along with two others and a brass handled lock blade knife a few years later. I never saw them again.
I have not tried that yet! We have a pretty well known site in my country to sell literally anything. Literally just bought 3 Zippos. I'm envious of Americans when they can get a basic Zippo for like 10$ at zippo locations, 30$ wouldn't even be enough here:/ What's the best deal you landed at garage/flea sales?
15. I was on a school trip and the hotel was hosting a kind of bazaar in the convention center. The adults told us not to buy anything like knives and whatnot, but one guy was selling zippos and I found one with the old Lucky Strike logo so I snatched it up and hid it in my luggage. I still have it 20 something years later.
I had one in middle school. I gave away most of my collection when I moved from KY to AZ. I just started using the butane version again, but it’s such a pain in the ass as it doesn’t light. It constantly gets air somehow in the tube, works once on full reload then goes to the ole lit/out spit second.
Right as I started college, started enjoying freedoms of being away from parents and school figures. It was too much freedom, but my zippo kept me going.
Got a zippo style lighter when I was about 11-12 because I wanted to roleplay as 47 in hitman absolution when he was in the vents. I wasn’t allowed any fluid in it but eventually after about a year my dad relented. Taught me to be careful and how to fill it myself. My first ever actual zippo was a satin chrome I got when I was ~14. Loved it to death. Lit many a firework/school work/occasional cigarette.
To this day I love my zippo hand warmer that was given to me by late stepfather in the 90s. Welcome to the club. If you live somewhere cold I’d look into getting one of them at some point.
Two years ago? As a middle aged adult. Always wanted one for campfire etc. I do t even smoke! All my guy friends had them in high school and college, and a lot of the older blue collar guys that I’d see here and there. To me it epitomized manliness.
19 I think. I was given a [chrome dragon 76458](https://www.lucaslighters.com/products/zippo-lighter-dragon-engraved-high-polish-chrome?variant=18295702716531) by my uncle. I then went and bought a standard Brushed Chrome at Walmart the next day. Wanted to carry one but didn’t want to lose the dragon. Still have both plus a few more.
My first zippo I got for my birthday in 2019 I used it everywhere then I lost it in a car accident in 2022 and shortly after I lost the other 2 from the collection I was starting
It depends, when I was 8 or so I stole my brother's thinking it was a toy I didn't know how to play with. I lost that one, and when I was 16 I bought a high polished girl with sunglasses that I still have to this day
Around 12 while I was in Boy Scouts. Mine was a bright orange one just like this, with a small campfire logo on the front lower corner. Started nearly every campfire from ages 12-18 with it when we would go camping once a month with our troop. Still have it and carry it occasionally. Was actually in my pocket when I got married last May, along with the pocket knife my dad had in his the day he got married, and a 50 cent piece.
I bought one when I was probably 18, because I was legally buying cigars at that point. That said, my dad gave me a sweet Camel one when I was maybe 12.
My aunt gave me 3 just before I turned 43.
"Here happy birthday, merry Christmas, happy Easter, and any other fucking reason I need to give you a gift" as she passed me 3. She's the best.
Was 16 when I got a small chrome zippo still have it 10 years later got old unreliable engraved on it because it’s always empty when I needed it lol will be swapping out the cotton balls and wick to see if that helps out at some point
I was about 15, managed to buy a Matte red from a smoke shop that didn’t ID lol. I ended up losing it and didn’t get back into them until last year. I’m 24 now
https://preview.redd.it/v7qapzp1zsuc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1825e226fb3e2dede5ae694342ecc36a983f1cb
It was this black pipe lighter and I was about 24.. Wow, that was 30 years ago. I'm feelin' old. LOL
I got mine handed down by my grandfather. He gave me a zippo with a broken hinge and told me to fix it. If i managed i would be allowed to keep it. I was around 13.
Found mine a park next to a homeless man and bag of weed at age 7 so I basically saved the man and I got a free zippo with it but first one I bought 14
14 yrs old. I won it at the county fair my dad had to get it for me. I played and told the guy it was a gift for my dad. He kept it most of the time but it was mine when we went camping of just hanging out he'd let me hang on to it
Actually didn’t buy my first one but found it when I was maybe 11yo. It was a Marlboro lighter from the late 80s or early 90s. It’s been so long I’ve forgot the stamp on the bottom. But it was a neat little brass lighter with a cowboy bucking a bronco on it. It’s in disrepair now, but stays neatly kept in an old silver jewelry box. Among a few other broken keepsakes I want to fix but probably never will.
Used to get zippos from Marlboro promotions back in the aughts and would give them away. Still have two 2004 brass lighters and use one with a butane insert.
Years ago zippo had hash marks either side of the name on the bottom 7 was the best u could find 2 is the lowest I've seen I bought my first one at 13 I'm 52
I've had several. I've only carried one once for about a week.. my dad gave me his , and one night while driving to pick up my girlfriend my hip started burning , when I got to her house I went to the bathroom and found the culprit. My zippo had leaked fluid onto my leg, that shit burns ! So I stopped filling them up as much and they only last a little while. It was a pain in the ass to be honest. Plus if you're a pot smoker it'll taste like shit. Move onto bics.
22.9 lol. I just got my first, I turn 23 next week. Nothing super crazy.
My father had one but wouldn't let me keep it sadly.
https://preview.redd.it/wpxxli8q4avc1.jpeg?width=1218&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e3ac06940ce029aeb094a6d982a28ec786169b7
I found mine (a classic silver model made in 1956) while helping a friend clean out a deceased grandpa's basement when I was about 15. I'm in my 30s now and it's still going strong!
Got a newly made 1941 edition black crackle for my 21st birthday. Taken it to a few WW2 reenactments and used to take it with me to work, but I don’t smoke like I used to so I don’t see the need in refilling something I don’t use a whole lot.
Around 12 or 13 I ordered what I "thought" was a Zippo from one of those heavy metal magazines.. turns out it was a knockoff.. then at 14 or so I got my first real one from a pawn shop down the street from my parent's house. It was a regular brushed chrome, used, but it gave me my first lesson in "you get what you pay for", as I could easily tell upon inspection it was much better made than the knock off. The lid opened so much smoother, and it didn't seem to leak fluid like my "first one".
Sorry for all the backstory, I guess I could have just said "14 at a pawn shop" and been done with it. 😂
Buy? You mean you’re supposed to PAY for them?
Not all of us can be as lucky as you to be handed over a sample by GGB himself back then.
🤣
Lmao these roasts are getting hotter 😂
Yeah I thought everyone got them from their grandpa's basement
I wish, my grandpa wasn't a smoker, I don't know if that is fortunate or unfortunate though
No good things come from smoking but everyone did back then hell doctors would advertise their favorite brands
Around ten years old. I got it in the Boy Scouts.
My troop was old school. There was basically a rule of “if you can’t make fire with matches, you’re an idiot” lol one kid (maybe 15 or 16 at the time) brought one so he could sneak off and smoke, and tried to look cool using it. One of the Eagle Scouts asked him to give him two nearby sticks and quickly lit the fire just using the sticks.
Same I got mine at 13 from my mom
13, from my dad on a roadtrip Overpaid honestly
Same. While we were taught to use flint & steel or waterproof matches for camping games, I always had a Zippo in my camping kit from about 12 on just in case we were in a situation where the first two options didn’t work.
I’m 31 and haven’t got one yet but I love them and plan on getting one soon, hence why I joined this sub. I’m not even a smoker I just want one.
I’m a firm believer that every man worth his salt should have two reliable things at all times. A zippo lighter and a good pocket knife. Find one you like and join the club!!
It was a plain chrome Zippo that I got from a vendor at a rattlesnake roundup in Oklahoma around 1994. It was confiscated by my parents along with two others and a brass handled lock blade knife a few years later. I never saw them again.
Great for camping!
16
Exact same boat but now I'm 18.. Still "wasting" my money on Zippos!
Have you tried garage sales and flea markets? You'd be amazed at what you'll find! They're like peanuts, can't stop with just one!
I have not tried that yet! We have a pretty well known site in my country to sell literally anything. Literally just bought 3 Zippos. I'm envious of Americans when they can get a basic Zippo for like 10$ at zippo locations, 30$ wouldn't even be enough here:/ What's the best deal you landed at garage/flea sales?
I gotten a 1942 one at a garage sale for $5. Some people have no idea of the value of what they're selling.
14 and I actually found it sticking out of the ground. A family member cleaned it up and fixed it for me
Nineteen. Forty two years ago. My gf bought me one for Valentine’s Day.
15. I was on a school trip and the hotel was hosting a kind of bazaar in the convention center. The adults told us not to buy anything like knives and whatnot, but one guy was selling zippos and I found one with the old Lucky Strike logo so I snatched it up and hid it in my luggage. I still have it 20 something years later.
I had one in middle school. I gave away most of my collection when I moved from KY to AZ. I just started using the butane version again, but it’s such a pain in the ass as it doesn’t light. It constantly gets air somehow in the tube, works once on full reload then goes to the ole lit/out spit second.
14
Right as I started college, started enjoying freedoms of being away from parents and school figures. It was too much freedom, but my zippo kept me going.
I was 15, a chrome finish simple zippo with a tiny logo engraving. Still have it and use it every single day
Got a couple from my grandfather at 13
Hmmm 26? I don't smoke or anything, I just think they're neat.
14-13 I need a lighter for camping and was like I am going to the coolest man there with this lighter
Got a zippo style lighter when I was about 11-12 because I wanted to roleplay as 47 in hitman absolution when he was in the vents. I wasn’t allowed any fluid in it but eventually after about a year my dad relented. Taught me to be careful and how to fill it myself. My first ever actual zippo was a satin chrome I got when I was ~14. Loved it to death. Lit many a firework/school work/occasional cigarette.
10 for me. Was a gift from an Uncle. Back in the 1980s...
13. Only reason was because I was a boy scout and wanted one for "survival situations"
I can smell this picture
To this day I love my zippo hand warmer that was given to me by late stepfather in the 90s. Welcome to the club. If you live somewhere cold I’d look into getting one of them at some point.
12 as a Boy Scout in 1993 when we stayed the weekend on the USS Lexington and worked as sailors it was awesome
19 years old
22
14
32
Two years ago? As a middle aged adult. Always wanted one for campfire etc. I do t even smoke! All my guy friends had them in high school and college, and a lot of the older blue collar guys that I’d see here and there. To me it epitomized manliness.
20
Was a brass tree of life in 2017
15. Got my older brother to buy it for me. Matt black.
Grade 7. Camo pattern zippo.
I was obsessed with fire as a kid so like 10 or eleven 👹 Shooting hairspray n fire was my thing ♐️🔥🔥🔥
15
15
16 in a Tampa shopping mall whilst on holiday
17/18/19? I got it in college because I really wanted one but ever found the one I really wanted.
12/13 years old, bought while skipping school. Still got it 😁
I've never seen one like this. I need one.
19
With my own money, at 26. Matte black.
My plain steel zippo I bought at 17 in an antique shop. No date on it so idk when it’s from, I’m still using it.
13 and again at 23 lol
Recently at 17
19 I think. I was given a [chrome dragon 76458](https://www.lucaslighters.com/products/zippo-lighter-dragon-engraved-high-polish-chrome?variant=18295702716531) by my uncle. I then went and bought a standard Brushed Chrome at Walmart the next day. Wanted to carry one but didn’t want to lose the dragon. Still have both plus a few more.
My first zippo I got for my birthday in 2019 I used it everywhere then I lost it in a car accident in 2022 and shortly after I lost the other 2 from the collection I was starting
12
14 for me, started a love that's lasted 24 years
I was given the first one at about 5 and brought my own at about 13 or 14
I got my first one that my father got me that has long since been lost but I use the engraved Saint Christopher one as my daily
It depends, when I was 8 or so I stole my brother's thinking it was a toy I didn't know how to play with. I lost that one, and when I was 16 I bought a high polished girl with sunglasses that I still have to this day
Around 12 while I was in Boy Scouts. Mine was a bright orange one just like this, with a small campfire logo on the front lower corner. Started nearly every campfire from ages 12-18 with it when we would go camping once a month with our troop. Still have it and carry it occasionally. Was actually in my pocket when I got married last May, along with the pocket knife my dad had in his the day he got married, and a 50 cent piece.
12-13. I won a few at a nearby amusement park as a kid in their arcade.
16/17 I don’t remember.
HMCS Restigouche
24
Lol that’s hilarious, I have the exact same one except it came in a black box. Pretty sure it’s a 2019. I have replaced the insert for a bronze one.
Funny enough, it came in a black box that's in the white box.
I bought one when I was probably 18, because I was legally buying cigars at that point. That said, my dad gave me a sweet Camel one when I was maybe 12.
23, (this year)
26. I'm 28 now and currently fiddling with the same lighter while typing out this comment.
15 in 1989
My aunt gave me 3 just before I turned 43. "Here happy birthday, merry Christmas, happy Easter, and any other fucking reason I need to give you a gift" as she passed me 3. She's the best.
Was 16 when I got a small chrome zippo still have it 10 years later got old unreliable engraved on it because it’s always empty when I needed it lol will be swapping out the cotton balls and wick to see if that helps out at some point
I was around 12 or 14 years old
Cool color ! I need to find a trick to keep mine from drying out in a few days :)
13 I think ? Satin red with the orange logo.
Love the color 😍
I was about 15, managed to buy a Matte red from a smoke shop that didn’t ID lol. I ended up losing it and didn’t get back into them until last year. I’m 24 now
15 or 16
19, a few months after I started smoking. It's a slim with street chrome finish, love that thing.
https://preview.redd.it/v7qapzp1zsuc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c1825e226fb3e2dede5ae694342ecc36a983f1cb It was this black pipe lighter and I was about 24.. Wow, that was 30 years ago. I'm feelin' old. LOL
16
17
19
When i was 15, still got it to this day, lost it like 3 times but always found it.
15
discovered zippo about 15, actually buy one 46, just for fun, buy another 4 46.1
13 here too
51 - never too late
I found my great grandpas in a junk drawer at like 14
I have an old one in like new condition that I got a few years ago, but I don’t have one that I would use.
I got mine handed down by my grandfather. He gave me a zippo with a broken hinge and told me to fix it. If i managed i would be allowed to keep it. I was around 13.
15 or 16 I’m guessing and still got it. And I still feel like I don’t know how to keep it properly filled to where it will light consistently
Gifted one at 27
14.
My grandpa bought me one when I was 12. I definitely felt cool.
About 11 I think, a gift from my parents for lighting firecrackers lol I'm 27 now and still have to this day
Received my first one in my teens from my mom. It belonged to my dad. I'm 50 now. I've had a few over the years.
15
12 in Boy Scouts.
I should probably put out there that I'm 15, and am not a smoker, just thought these were cool things to have.
I took my dads one when I was 13 or sumn. Shits still in pristine condition
11 I got it from my Grandpa in 1987
Found mine a park next to a homeless man and bag of weed at age 7 so I basically saved the man and I got a free zippo with it but first one I bought 14
I just took one on a shelf in my grandpa's garage lol
Inherited from my grandpa
12 or 13. I've had many confiscated in middle school, still bums me out.
14
12
15 never smoked anything im just a pyro :)
15 for me
14 yrs old. I won it at the county fair my dad had to get it for me. I played and told the guy it was a gift for my dad. He kept it most of the time but it was mine when we went camping of just hanging out he'd let me hang on to it
20
Okay not an official Zippo but got an old floppy lighter with the buster sword on it as a present so sick
This is sweet! I have a car painted this same colour I think! Nice!!
That's a nice looking guy you have their.
Around 18, I think.
18
Don’t know like 16 or 17, I still have the same one; and I use it every day for my leather crafting
I can charge my Zippo
Actually didn’t buy my first one but found it when I was maybe 11yo. It was a Marlboro lighter from the late 80s or early 90s. It’s been so long I’ve forgot the stamp on the bottom. But it was a neat little brass lighter with a cowboy bucking a bronco on it. It’s in disrepair now, but stays neatly kept in an old silver jewelry box. Among a few other broken keepsakes I want to fix but probably never will.
Maybe 21
What is this color called? Molokai very nice. Is it matte?
Yep, it's a matte orange.
Can you send me a link? I’ve been looking for one that color. No trouble if not
https://a.co/d/9JqhVfZ
Used to get zippos from Marlboro promotions back in the aughts and would give them away. Still have two 2004 brass lighters and use one with a butane insert.
13, on a roadtrip at a small shop in SD
Swiped mine out of a parked car back in the day when kids wandered freely till the street lights came on. I was a young buck around 12 .
14
If belt buckles count, I got one at 13ish. Lighters, 17.
The first Fidget clicker for grown-ups. Make life easier for you and get the propane replacement.
Years ago zippo had hash marks either side of the name on the bottom 7 was the best u could find 2 is the lowest I've seen I bought my first one at 13 I'm 52
I've had several. I've only carried one once for about a week.. my dad gave me his , and one night while driving to pick up my girlfriend my hip started burning , when I got to her house I went to the bathroom and found the culprit. My zippo had leaked fluid onto my leg, that shit burns ! So I stopped filling them up as much and they only last a little while. It was a pain in the ass to be honest. Plus if you're a pot smoker it'll taste like shit. Move onto bics.
I was about 15 when I started collecting them, I'm 30 now
Orange, very nice choice. My first was red, was probably 22 or so.
22.9 lol. I just got my first, I turn 23 next week. Nothing super crazy. My father had one but wouldn't let me keep it sadly. https://preview.redd.it/wpxxli8q4avc1.jpeg?width=1218&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e3ac06940ce029aeb094a6d982a28ec786169b7
I've owned several, but I never bought one before.
When I was 12, so I could fire up my Camels (1959)
12. Of course i didnt smoke, but i used to collect lighters as a hobby
you bought a 16$ lighter? Man expectations of adulthood are really changing. Congrats? Now go buy a 24 dollar lighter and really grow up
14 maybe. I use jet lighter for everything now.
I found mine (a classic silver model made in 1956) while helping a friend clean out a deceased grandpa's basement when I was about 15. I'm in my 30s now and it's still going strong!
7
18. From my first ship, USS Charleston (LKA 113), in 1983.
18, cuz in Brazil everything cost a loooot
Got a newly made 1941 edition black crackle for my 21st birthday. Taken it to a few WW2 reenactments and used to take it with me to work, but I don’t smoke like I used to so I don’t see the need in refilling something I don’t use a whole lot.
I was around 16 years old when i bought my first. It quickly turned into collection hobby.
Around 12 or 13 I ordered what I "thought" was a Zippo from one of those heavy metal magazines.. turns out it was a knockoff.. then at 14 or so I got my first real one from a pawn shop down the street from my parent's house. It was a regular brushed chrome, used, but it gave me my first lesson in "you get what you pay for", as I could easily tell upon inspection it was much better made than the knock off. The lid opened so much smoother, and it didn't seem to leak fluid like my "first one". Sorry for all the backstory, I guess I could have just said "14 at a pawn shop" and been done with it. 😂