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My interest in Zippo brand cigarette lighters began with my father. He was a World War II veteran and had a huge collection of Zippos brought together over the years. At some point, for health reasons, he gave up smoking but continued to carry the things around. He explained it to me once that “a gentlemen should always be in the position to offer a lady a hanky or a lighter. If I smoke or not doesn’t play a role.” Well, this sank deep into my psyche somehow and left a lasting impression on me.

EVERY ARTICLE IS ACCOMPANIED BY A HOW-TO VIDEO

I’ve never smoked a day in my life and have always had a lighter at my side. At some point I discovered the tricks one could do with them. Maybe it was a form of “explanation” to those people who could never understand a non-smoker who carries a lighter. Aside from my camping buddies, of course. They consider a lighter and a knife the most normal things in the world and shake their heads at guys who don’t have one or the other on them at all times. Not that the Zippo thing is just a guy thing. I’ve met one gal that can make me look like an utter clutz.

Still, it is a great way to start a conversation at the bar. Shy? Learn a trick or two and the people come to you. At least, so long as nature wasn’t too unkind. Hey…gotta keep it real here. It’s just plain cool. Don’t know how cool…? Check the below video out. Its a kid, the “Tedster”.

Cool huh?

I’ve included as many little vids I could find as well a bit of history about the Zippo. If yer gonna learn some tricks, you might as well be able to talk about your hobby a little, don’t you think.