Small bic lighters?

Posted: 8/20/2017 9:54:14 PM EDT

I dont carry any of these cause Im worried its goin to leak.

Has this happened to any of yous?
Cause I do want to carry one in my pacs.

Thanks

Posted: 8/20/2017 10:22:30 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
I dont carry any of these cause Im worried its goin to leak.

Has this happened to any of yous?
Cause I do want to carry one in my pacs.

Thanks

View Quote

You can lock them out if that's a concern.

I've had some BICs in a pocket and the button was depressed when bunched up while sitting and they've leaked, but there are methods.

Wrap a small zip tie, or rubber band around the body and underneath the button until the lighter is needed.

Chris

Posted: 8/20/2017 10:25:15 PM EDT

[#2]

Hey chris...thanks.

Chris

Posted: 8/20/2017 11:31:37 PM EDT

[#3]

All the ones I have in bags are secured with a small zip tie under the button. I carry a mini bic in my pocket every day, and I don't notice leaks. It's in there with a sak farmer with a Gerber pry tool attached to it and a flashlight clipped to the pocket. I also have an active job. I wouldn't worry about them too much.

Posted: 8/21/2017 12:13:07 AM EDT

[#4]

You have not lived until you carried an over-filled Zippo in your pocket!

Posted: 8/21/2017 6:35:35 AM EDT

[#5]

Thanks guys

Posted: 8/21/2017 7:32:37 AM EDT

[#6]

I had one in a plastic case in my pack to prevent the button from being pressed that leaked for some reason. Was in my GHB in the back of my car a couple of years and when I went to replace the power bars etc, I checked everything out. Result was flashlight a goner from leaking batteries, and bic lighter completely empty. Lesson learned, don't keep batteries stored in devices and check lighters every couple of months as well as having matches for a backup.

Posted: 8/21/2017 10:59:24 AM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
You have not lived until you carried an over-filled Zippo in your pocket!

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I think that burning sensation in your pants was just you happy to see me.

Posted: 8/21/2017 11:16:04 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
All the ones I have in bags are secured with a small zip tie under the button. I carry a mini bic in my pocket every day, and I don't notice leaks. It's in there with a sak farmer with a Gerber pry tool attached to it and a flashlight clipped to the pocket. I also have an active job. I wouldn't worry about them too much.

View Quote

This is the way to go.

Also, rip off that metal guard that goes around the striker wheel before doing this. Those things will get in the way of getting a flame if your fingers are wet/cold.

Posted: 8/21/2017 11:55:47 AM EDT

[#9]

I have carried a lighter in my pocket pretty much everyday of my life since I was 11. 25 years of smoking =(. I have never had a bic leak in my pocket. Zippos, well of course and them cheap clearish rectangle lighters are built really cheap and can crack and leak in the pocket. Like others have said, if you are really worried about it just wrap a small rubber band under the button and you should be good to go.

Posted: 8/21/2017 12:16:13 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
You have not lived until you carried an over-filled Zippo in your pocket!

View Quote

I keep a BIC in my center console for lighting my cigar and one hot day in Miami, I went to light it and I had a six inch flame come out!

I've never had one burst, but that lighter was under a lot of pressure. I now point the lighter away from my face, or just depress the button before sparking.

BICs are pretty indestructible, but their not perfect.

Chris

Posted: 8/22/2017 7:50:10 AM EDT

[#11]

I carry a full sized Bic in one of these:
Fire Sleeve
It is on my key chain.
I did by a box with like 50 mini-Bics a while back, but I just keep them at home for "in case."

Posted: 8/22/2017 3:24:32 PM EDT

[#12]

They're so small and light, just carry 3. One of them will work.

Posted: 8/27/2017 11:40:00 AM EDT

[#13]

I keep a two Bics in each of our bags. To prevent leaks I store them in an Altoids "fire making kit". This prevents the button from getting depressed, and is convenient since the tinder is right there with the lighter.

Posted: 8/29/2017 11:49:53 PM EDT

[#14]

over the years I have found that bic lighters leak when left in a drawer without being touched.

Posted: 8/30/2017 2:50:54 AM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
over the years I have found that bic lighters leak when left in a drawer without being touched.

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More likely, the flint will corrode and won't spark.

They're a good product, but they don't last forever, IME.

Chris

Posted: 9/1/2017 4:21:49 PM EDT

[#16]

hair tie....several wraps with one going under the button, it also serves as a grip enhancement for the slick body......

Posted: 9/2/2017 1:03:57 AM EDT

[#17]

Quote History

Quoted:
over the years I have found that bic lighters leak when left in a drawer without being touched.

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The last time I bought them (for survival kits ... don't smoke) two of the five in the "WalMart bulk pack" wouldn't ignite. I had selected a pack toward the rear of the display because it had two orange and two red (which I like for survival kits).

Always test your gear (regularly).

Posted: 9/2/2017 10:39:30 PM EDT

[#18]

I've used an o-ring with one of those glow-in-the-dark tabs on it.

Fits under the lighter tab, prevents accidental leaks, and can be used as fuel if needed.

Posted: 12/21/2017 2:22:00 PM EDT

[#19]

I gave up on BICs. I had several throughout my various bags and one each in with every "hillbilly MRE" bucket that I put together. After about 5 years I was switching out the perishables and not one of those BICs worked. The wheels had all corroded and would not turn and strike sparks off the flint. Most had lot their fuel as well.
YMMV
The MULE

Posted: 12/21/2017 3:42:24 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think that burning sensation in your pants was just you happy to see me.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
You have not lived until you carried an over-filled Zippo in your pocket!

I think that burning sensation in your pants was just you happy to see me.

I cut a 1.5" length of bicycle innertube and slide it over the Zippo. It slows the evaporation (since I don't smoke, I just like fire) and prevents the naphtha burn.

For the OP, I have a Spool Tool in my day pack that is pretty cool. It exactly holds a BIC mini and has a little tab to keep the button from going down. It might be more stuff than you want, but i thought it was pretty nifty.

Posted: 12/22/2017 6:52:23 PM EDT

[#21]

Go to the hardware store and buy a rubber o-ring that will fit around the lighter in the little notch on the bottom of the fuel button and keep it from being depressed.

If you're willing to carry a full-size bic, you can get an Exotac fireSleeve. I wish they'd make them for Mini-Bics.

Posted: 12/22/2017 7:17:10 PM EDT

[#22]

A far superior solution for fast FIRE is available here:
.
Really high quality, oring sealed LIGHTER

Posted: 12/22/2017 9:36:08 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
A far superior solution for fast FIRE is available here:
.
Really high quality, oring sealed LIGHTER

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1437/9632/products/sslightertrio_d8096a00-81a6-40af-902b-258e206b7825_grande.jpg?v=1507911673

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I have a three of those. The o-rings on all of mine failed eventually. O-rings are easy to replace, but bad or no o-rings = fuel evaporation.

Posted: 12/27/2017 3:14:03 AM EDT

[#24]

Lighters are not an end all do all of fire. They require checking, and double checking. Bic is one of those tried and true brands but they do eventually leak, or flints corrode. Obviously if you push the button in your pocket it will run out of fuel. Prepping wise variety is key; lighter, matches, ferro rod. I KISS (keep it simple stupid) in my BOB but at home, I keep a variety. Plenty of matches, a supply of bic lighters, a good stash of clippers, no shortage of zippo parts/ components/ fuel, and plenty of ferro rods. diversity is important.
Even ferro rods can corrode quickly and are not a perfect answer. All of the above require a form monitoring. Setting yourself up for failure thinking you can stash something, not look at it for several years, and hope it works when you need it, other than a P38 can opener that is.

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