Zippo

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Zippo

37 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  A few brands I'll probably stick with for life

  Zippo lighters

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• #2Dec 28, 2025

  What are some good, long-lasting rechargeable handwarmers? I would like them to last up to 9/10 hours

  I just went down the rabbit hole of Naptha fluid hand warmers. Zippo makes a new version they say 12 hours. My mom uses Jon e warmers they are from MN but no longer make. Zippo say 70 12 hr uses to replace catalyst. But prob longer as with zippo lighters they say replace wick sooner than needed.

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• #3Dec 27, 2025

  What are some good, long-lasting rechargeable handwarmers? I would like them to last up to 9/10 hours

  Look at the ones that use fuel. The you can just top it up when it runs out. I had those zippo ones as a kid also had one that burned charcoal. They still make them and available on Amazon.

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• #4Dec 27, 2025

  What are some good, long-lasting rechargeable handwarmers? I would like them to last up to 9/10 hours

  Rechargeable hand warmers can work but expect 9–10 hrs only on low heat. Best bets are Ocoopa or Zippo rechargeable and both can last most of a shift if you’re not blasting them. Most lifties run two and rotate or keep one per pocket. Also: mittens + liner gloves makes a huge difference.

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• #5Dec 24, 2025

  What was the best purchase you made this year?

  Zippo 30cm x 50cm.. came with spare flints inside for £9 @ cash converters, been with me ever since

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• #6Dec 5, 2025

  Best thing to buy for $100

  Decent paring knives. Hario or Kalita Coffee Cone (Ceramic) Wall hanging magnetic block for kitchen knives Good minitripod for photography Stanley Hobby Vice US General Mini Tool Boxes from Harbor Freight Zippo Lighter Victornox Tinker Swiss Army Knife Antique Gillette Double Edge Razor Candle Stick Holder (brass) Kitchen Shears metal swingline stapler Icecream Scoop Kitchen Scraper Small Cast Iron frying pan Good gardening trowel

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• #7Nov 7, 2025

  I have to spend $150 at amazon this week

  Swiss army knife and a good flashlight like an OLIGHT or Fenix... Also a good lighter. Zippo is a BIFL... Depends where you are going if it get cold a stormy kromer hat. If it's warm, some sort of hat for warm weather (sorry no opinion)

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• #8Nov 5, 2025

  Best reusable hand warmer?

  The [big ones](https://zippo.com/products/12-hour-refillable-hand-warmer?variant=32621042597954&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&srsltid=AfmBOoq9JyDFB6HBZhlWMvDB4sPM79p6F94Y7DK4Mepye4eRs0YS6g8QkUo) are good for 12 hours. The [small ones](https://zippo.com/products/6-hour-refillable-hand-warmer) last 6 hours. I don't smell them at all. They come with a tiny plastic watering can shaped thing for filling from the lighter fluid can with level marks so with a little experimenting you could fill for a particular time period.

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• #9Oct 7, 2025

  I’ve started caring less about new and more about enough

  My grandpa’s old Zippo. Been refilling and using it for 12 years now. Doesn’t even light perfectly every time anymore, but damn if it doesn’t feel right in my hand

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• #10Oct 7, 2025

  These small brick shaped rechargeable hand heaters, are they bifl?

  It's not a matter of bifl, it's use case. If you don't plan to be outside for hours, I wouldn't get the zippo because those don't have an off switch and just relies on running till it has no fuel. Hot ice packs are reusable and should last pretty long but takes some work to recharge them. Both zippo and hot ice (sodium acetate) are one time use until you recharge them. If you only need heat for a short while like clearing snow off the car, get the battery ones. If you want to go skiing/hiking, get a zippo. If you need a heat pack for injuries/therapy, use the hot ice packs.

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• #11Oct 6, 2025

  These small brick shaped rechargeable hand heaters, are they bifl?

  Yes, if it has a battery that isn't replaceable it will never be a BIFL. My father had a couple of old "Johnny Handwarmer". Looks like Zippo makes a fuel based Handwarmer still. Also, as a kid (late 80's early 90's) we had these plastic packets with a metal tab in them. You bent the tab and liquid in them would turn hard and white and would last 3-4 hours. When you were done you just had to boil them to return them to a liquid state, resetting them for the next use.

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• #12Oct 6, 2025

  These small brick shaped rechargeable hand heaters, are they bifl?

  >I figure they'll lose power and heat over a year of use, but I fail to see other warmers better. I'm confused, it seems like you know *very well* that this isn't a BIFL item. It will become a paperweight sooner rather than later. Butane hand warmers have existed forever, and work great. Just get a pair of Zippo warmers and call it a day.

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• #13Oct 6, 2025

  These small brick shaped rechargeable hand heaters, are they bifl?

  Yeah, nothing with a battery is gonna be BIFL. Especially not a cheap battery. They do make [charcoal](https://honorableoutfitters.com/artifacts/charcoal-hand-warmer/)/[lighter fluid](https://zippo.com/products/12-hour-refillable-hand-warmer?variant=32621042597954) equivalents that will last for a very long time though.

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• #14Oct 6, 2025

  These small brick shaped rechargeable hand heaters, are they bifl?

  I know a guy who uses one of these Zippo Hand Warmers for this job. A bit more ‘work’ than the USB battery option but infinitely longer lasting. There is also a modding community that sells alternative burners than the stock one. Zippo have been selling something like this for around 90 years so it’s a tried and tested design. https://www.zippo.co.uk/products/12hour-blaze-orange-hand-warmer

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• #15Oct 2, 2025

  Which moment made you switch to the "buy it for life" mindset?

  In drips and drabs, got a Swiss Army Knife (Victorinox) when young--had it since (50 years), zippo lighter ( 45 years), Same two original razors--a straight edge and Gillette. Tools were not the same--had to get cheap to pay bills , replace as they broke. Cooking gear sort of the same---maybe you move? maybe you just need to cook, eventually when living the same place buy the best you can. Never cheap gardening tools/farming implements. That might have been the turn key event--

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• #16Oct 2, 2025

  What’s something you’ve bought once and never had to replace?

  My Zippo lighter. Got it for my 18th birthday. Just replace the fluid/flint

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• #17Sep 4, 2025

  What sub-$10 item has genuinely lasted you years and is of regular use to you?

  Prices have changed so the items have inflated BUT a decent paring knife, ice cream scoop, stainless steel tablespoon measure , pyrex cup (boroscillate), tape measure, one decent philips head screwdriver. Brass coat hook, good chop sticks, A spork made out of stainless steel for camping, Zippo lighter (yes I paid less than $10 for it but I do see them around $15 to $20 still. Small but good magnifying glass.

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• #18Aug 12, 2025

  Groomsmen Wedding Gift Ideas

  You can do this with the high-end Yeti or brew-ski coozies and then tuck a Leatherman Skeletool/Wave, Zippo, or whatever else you find customizable (or personally significant).

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• #19Aug 2, 2025

  what's your best BIFL item under $50 that most people overlook?

  Cast iron pan by Lodge. It will outlive you, provided you maintain it properly. ($20) Vintage surplus wool army blanket (check eBay, you can get them for under $50). Mag-Lite flashlight. (Forget how much, definitely under $50). Zippo lighter ($25-$50).

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• #20Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  Cast iron fry pan, Swiss army knife, Leatherman, Zippo, pocket knife, leather jacket, and denim jacket.

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• #21Jun 8, 2025

  What are some small things you can buy the best version of for relatively cheap?

  I know this is a year-old thread but for anyone else (like me) that found it browsing around, Zippo candle lighters are good too! But they're not good for carrying with you and lighting smokes. https://www.zippo.com/collections/candle-utility-lighters

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• #22Jun 3, 2025

  Some of my favorite BIFL EDC items.

  Leatherman ARC, Victorinox SAK Tinker (no scissors), Mag Light sometimes, Zippo Sometimes. Pen can be an old bic --have some over 40 years old. pencil stub (golf pencil), sometimes a tiny magnifying loupe which has a hard cover and dangles on my keychain

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• #23Jun 3, 2025

  What are your favorite niche BIFL items that are currently available?

  Haven't seen Zippo lighters mentioned yet. They also make some good hand warmers

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• #24May 11, 2025

  What are some items under $500 you’ve made so far that changed your life?

  1. A Zippo lighter. I'm so done with disposable lighters that just look awful, and I have to throw away every few months. Also, the sound is just... *chef's kiss*; 2. Blundstone boots - same as the zippo. Comfortable, nice-looking, well-made, water-resistant casual boots that work for most occasions and seasons; 3. High-quality cast iron pan and pot that I can use for pretty much everything. These aren't life changing per se, but they are nice things to have, and I can rely on them to get the job done. I'm not sure how much they'll last, but as long as I don't have to deal with getting new ones in the next few years, I'll be quite happy.

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• #25May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Malkoff devices for flashlights Buck for knives and cutlery Darn tough for socks Osprey and frost river for bags and packs Zippo lighters

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• #26May 10, 2025

  Top BIFL Household Items for Starting Over

  I am a sustainability educator and finding things that last are a bit part of that. I’ve done quite a bit of research on possible options. Some of these I have (*) while others have been HIGHLY recommended to me. I would still check out the brand as some people who have had their (insert brand name item that they got 15 years ago here) have said that quality has diminished in recent years and won’t last as long. Also if anyone has had bad experiences with any of these, please let me know! Kitchen: *Dualit kettle *Vitamix Stainless steel blender-this is so expensive we got it as a group wedding present but dang it’s nice for smoothies, sauces, even hot soup *OXO stainless steel bottle brush with replaceable heads *Metal cup for hot/cold liquids-Thermos, Kleen Kanteen, HydroFlask, Stanley, etc. *Metal tea strainer spoon for loose leaf *Silicone baking mat *Stainless steel, copper, or ceramic cookware - I have a baking sheet from 360 cookware and one pan from Caraway *Stainless steel mixing bowls *Metal or ceramic measuring spoons and cups -My spoons are shaped like geese and I got them for $10 at a thrift store *Wooden toaster tongs- CHANGED MY LIFE and my slightly burnt fingers *Stasher bags *Fiskar scissors *OXO metal strainer for pasta •Metal coffee makers -French press, percolator, Bialetti Moka Pot, Breville espresso machine, •Silicone or metal ice cube tray •Duralax glasses •Crockpot •Older PYREX glass food containers •Villeroy and boch plates, bowls, etc. •Dualit toaster •Pizza stone •Cast iron pan •Le creuset •Self sharpening knife block-“A dull knife is a dangerous knife” or learn how/where to sharpen -Victorinox, Cutco, Wustoff because warranties •Hardwood cutting board •Zojirushi rice maker •Kitchen aid stand Bathroom: *Wild deodorant case and refills (discount code: SUSTAINABLESIRENIAN) *Leaf safety razor *Sisal soap saver bag •Turkish or waffle weave towels- dry quicker take up less space, wears slower Office/School *Cross refillable pen *Rocket planner (they also have reusable sticky notes which is cool but I haven’t tried them) Laundry: *Dryer balls *Bags for more delicate stuff *Tip-unless it is nasty, cold water is fine, saves money, saves water, and doesn’t wear out your clothes as much *Basic Sewing kit and learn how to do basic patching or visible mending •Miele machines Clothes: *Darn tough socks •Older Levi jeans •Doc martens •Chacos •Rainbow sandals •Birkenstocks •Blundstone Outside things/wear: *Blunt umbrella *Xtra Tuff boots •Duluth Trading Co •Older things from LLBean •Older Carhartt •Gear from Osprey - “All mighty warranty” •Gear from Patagonia -“Ironclad guarantee” also they have “Worn wear” which is used gear that were great or they refurbished it •Canada goose coats and parkas •CamelBak •Maglite •Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags •Red wing boots •White duck canvas tarp •Yeti coolers •SmartWool Misc. *Lupine Pet Collars and leashes •Goughnuts dog toys •Zippo lighters •Briggs and Riley luggage •Swiss army knife •Leatherman tool •Otterbox phone cases •Big Green Egg Grill •GoRuck •Henry the vacuum •Coop’s, Casper, Purple, or Buckwheat pillows •BOTE paddle board •Le Cord •Williams and Sonoma •Tweezerman •Craftsman tools •Saddleback leather co •fjallraven backpacks •Eley garden hose •Felco shears •Vermont Glove •Hori Hori garden knife I hope this helps

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• #27May 10, 2025

  Top BIFL Household Items for Starting Over

  I am a sustainability educator and finding things that last are a bit part of that. I’ve done quite a bit of research on possible options. Some of these I have (*) while others have been HIGHLY recommended to me. I would still check out the brand as some people who have had their (insert brand name item that they got 15 years ago here) have said that quality has diminished in recent years and won’t last as long. Also if anyone has had bad experiences with any of these, please let me know! Kitchen: *Dualit kettle *Vitamix Stainless steel blender-this is so expensive we got it as a group wedding present but dang it’s nice for smoothies, sauces, even hot soup *OXO stainless steel bottle brush with replaceable heads *Metal cup for hot/cold liquids-Thermos, Kleen Kanteen, HydroFlask, Stanley, etc. *Metal tea strainer spoon for loose leaf *Silicone baking mat *Stainless steel, copper, or ceramic cookware - I have a baking sheet from 360 cookware and one pan from Caraway *Stainless steel mixing bowls *Metal or ceramic measuring spoons and cups -My spoons are shaped like geese and I got them for $10 at a thrift store *Wooden toaster tongs- CHANGED MY LIFE and my slightly burnt fingers *Stasher bags *Fiskar scissors *OXO metal strainer for pasta •Metal coffee makers -French press, percolator, Bialetti Moka Pot, Breville espresso machine, •Silicone or metal ice cube tray •Duralax glasses •Crockpot •Older PYREX glass food containers •Villeroy and boch plates, bowls, etc. •Dualit toaster •Pizza stone •Cast iron pan •Le creuset •Self sharpening knife block-“A dull knife is a dangerous knife” or learn how/where to sharpen -Victorinox, Cutco, Wustoff because warranties •Hardwood cutting board •Zojirushi rice maker •Kitchen aid stand Bathroom: *Wild deodorant case and refills (discount code: SUSTAINABLESIRENIAN) *Leaf safety razor *Sisal soap saver bag •Turkish or waffle weave towels- dry quicker take up less space, wears slower Office/School *Cross refillable pen *Rocket planner (they also have reusable sticky notes which is cool but I haven’t tried them) Laundry: *Dryer balls *Bags for more delicate stuff *Tip-unless it is nasty, cold water is fine, saves money, saves water, and doesn’t wear out your clothes as much *Basic Sewing kit and learn how to do basic patching or visible mending •Miele machines Clothes: *Darn tough socks •Older Levi jeans •Doc martens •Chacos •Rainbow sandals •Birkenstocks •Blundstone Outside things/wear: *Blunt umbrella *Xtra Tuff boots •Duluth Trading Co •Older things from LLBean •Older Carhartt •Gear from Osprey - “All mighty warranty” •Gear from Patagonia -“Ironclad guarantee” also they have “Worn wear” which is used gear that were great or they refurbished it •Canada goose coats and parkas •CamelBak •Maglite •Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags •Red wing boots •White duck canvas tarp •Yeti coolers •SmartWool Misc. *Lupine Pet Collars and leashes •Goughnuts dog toys •Zippo lighters •Briggs and Riley luggage •Swiss army knife •Leatherman tool •Otterbox phone cases •Big Green Egg Grill •GoRuck •Henry the vacuum •Coop’s, Casper, Purple, or Buckwheat pillows •BOTE paddle board •Le Cord •Williams and Sonoma •Tweezerman •Craftsman tools •Saddleback leather co •fjallraven I hope this helps

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• #28May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Victorinox SAKs and Zippo lighters, guaranteed for life.

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• #29May 1, 2025

  What’s something you bought once and never had to replace?

  my zippo lighter had it for years, still works like day one.

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• #30Apr 7, 2025

  Interested in niche daily products

  An $18 Zippo. Flicking it open and closing it with one hand is immensely satisfying.

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• #31Mar 12, 2025

  What's the most expensive item you've bought with the intention of keeping it for life?

  $400 zippo.

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• #32Mar 3, 2025

  Where Does "Buy It for Life" Not Make Sense?

  also, if it's a particularly nice pen, people are probably less likely to accidentally take it because it doesn't feel like theirs. for example, when i used to smoke, my lighter would get taken daily. i got given a Zippo and it ALWAYS got given back and never put into the borrowers pocket out of muscle memory. it was too different from anything they were used to.

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• #33Feb 6, 2025

  Buyitforlife from Canada, what’s your favourite things made in Canada?

  Cast Iron - Lodge and Stargazer cast iron are fantastic Pot and pans - All Clad can’t be beat. Lighters - Zippo, everyone has to own one. Pocket knives - Hinderer, Case, and Great Eastern Cutlery are the best Leather Jackets - Langlitz has been making awesome custom leather jackets for 77 years. Woodworking - Lie Neilson Tool Works make the best hand tools.

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• #34Feb 6, 2025

  A list of BIFL not made in the USA

  Cast Iron - Lodge and Stargazer cast iron are fantastic Pot and pans - All Clad can’t be beat. Lighters - Zippo, everyone has to own one. Pocket knives - Hinderer, Case, and Great Eastern Cutlery are the best Leather Jackets - Langlitz has been making awesome custom leather jackets for 77 years. Woodworking - Lie Neilson Tool Works make the best hand tools.

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• #35Feb 2, 2025

  What’s one product you bought that has lasted forever and was totally worth it?

  My list seems to be the Kitchen Aid Lift Mixer, Leatherman ARC, Zojirushi Rice Cooker, Old Straight Edge Razor , Sennheiser Headphones (corded), Danner Logger Boots, Carhart Overalls, Victorinox Tinker, Cast Iron Fry pans, big and small, Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Mac MTH 80 Chef's Knife, Zippo Lighter, Samsung Portable SSD Drives, Zeroll Icecream Scoop, French Press Coffee Maker, English Pub Glasses (hold hot and cold liquids).

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• #36Jan 9, 2025

  Patagonia vs TNF Parka

  I bought the Patagonia parka for my gf that hates the cold. She's loves it and our goes down to her knees. It gets a strong recommendation from me. Also, since your gal has poor circulation, keeping her hands warm will do wonders. If she doesn't have gloves or they aren't warm enough, I recommend some Hestra gloves. I have some that I wear on the coldest days and never feel even remotely chilled. Another great option are the zippo the Heatbank 9s rechargeable hand warmers ($40 or so at REI). Keep a pair of them in the pockets of the parka, she can use them for her hands or move them inside the parka for extra warmth.

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• #37Jan 1, 2025

  What are some BIFL brands that are manufactured cradle to grave in the USA?

  Zippo “wind-proof” lighters (wind-proof are the common style lighters)

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