The Different Zippo Finishes & Coatings

Zippo's come in many, many differing finishes - they are listed below. If you are unsure about any finish or just want further information, please contact us.

Antique models # 121FB, 201FB, 301FB - " Zippo's unparalleled manufacturing process creates an antique aged finish on the classic windproof pocket lighter  

Black Ice Models # 150, 151ZL, 20492 - " A high tech PVD process bonds a luminous micro thin, scratch resistant coating to a classic chrome plated lighter in Black Ice, giving a black, mirror-like finish."  

Spectrum Models # 151, 151ZL, 20493 - "  Zippo's spectrum finish shimmers with rainbow highlights. The kaleidoscope of colours varies on every lighter, making each one unique"  

Zipguard Model # 200ZP  - "Get a grip!..with the Zippo "Zip-Guard" lighter. The Zip Guard features a studded, hard rubber surface area wrapped around a classic brushed chrome lighter, giving added durability on an already durable product!"  

Black crackle Model # 236  - " From 1943 through to the end of World War II, Zippo's entire production was allocated to the US armed forces. Because of a shortage of raw materials during the war, Zippo lighters of that time were made of steel and dipped in black protective coating to prevent rusting, then heat treated to a crackled black finish. Model 236 although made of solid brass, in common with all Zippo lighter cases, replicates the external black crackle finish on the cases of World War II Zippo lighters"  

Brushed chrome models # 200, 1600 - " Considered by many Zippo purists to be the "classic Zippo", the brushed model continues to be a best selling Zippo lighter all over the world. The solid brass case is chrome plated and then buffed and brushed to give a sophisticated and understated brushed chrome finish."  

High polished chrome models # 250, 1610 - " The Zippo high polish chrome windproof pocket lighter, in common with all Zippo lighter cases, is made out of solid brass. The brass case is plated with chrome and then highly polished to give a pure and mirror like finish"    

Vintage models # 230, 240, 260, 270 - " Zippo's Vintage models have a more squared off shape which are reminiscent of the first styles produced by Zippo in the 1930's. Available in classic high polish chrome, brushed chrome, high polished brass, and brushed brass finishes"  

Brushed brass model 204 - "Did you know that all Zippo windproof lighter case are made out of solid brass?...well you do now! The solid brass case is buffed and brushed to give a sophisticated and understated brushed brass finish.  

High polish brass models # 254,1654 - " All Zippo windproof lighter cases are made out of solid brass. The solid brass case is industrially polished to give a highly polished finish"  

Reatree Models # 451, 24072 - "Realtree is America's most versatile camouflage pattern. It blends natural colours, lifelike shadows, and photo realistic branches and leaves into an incredibly three-dimensional camouflage. The miniature pattern reveals wide contrast from light to dark, yet it is so neutral that it  disappears into virtually any outdoor setting. Because Realtree is a dipped coating applied through an immersion process, every lighter displays different views of the all over large pattern"   

Model # 24647 Chrome Arch and model # 24648 Herringbone Sweep - "An interesting angle on Zippo's classic brushed chrome finish. Directional brushing results in a creative pattern design with a look of traditional brushed chrome, but with a fresh new perspective in either an arch or herringbone pattern"  

Framed Chrome Model # 24752  - " Another spin on Zippo's classic brushed chrome finish. The front and reverse surfaces are vertical brushed chrome, but the outside edge surfaces are black matte. So is brushed chrome or black matte? Both...it's Framed, a hot new look for an old favourite."  

Venetian Pattern Models # 352, 352B, 1652, 1652B  - " First released by Zippo in 1974, the Venetian is still one of Zippo's most popular lighters. For over three decades, the timeless front and reverse floral pattern continues to be the most globally appealing lighter design Zippo has ever released"  

1935 Replica Model # 1935 - "The 1935 lighter, one-eighth inch shorter than subsequent models, was manufactured for less than three years, and is one of the most collectable lighters in Zippo's history. Like the original, the 1935 Replica features a three- barrel outside hinge joining the lid and bottom, an open hollow rivet that secures the flint wheel to the inside unit, a flat bottom case, and slashes on the opposite corners of the face and back surfaces. A distinctive bright brushed chrome finish and unique bottom stamp identify the 1935 Replica."  

1941 Replica Models # 1941,1941B, 24096, 24485 - "Several distinctive characteristic distinguish the 1941 Replica from today's familiar Zippo windproof lighter. The 1941 case has flat planes with sharper less rounded edges where the front and back surfaces meet the sides. The lid and bottom are joined with a four-barrel hinge, just as they are on the original 1941 design. The current Zippo lighter has a five-barrel hinge. The inside unit also closely replicates the design of the original 1941 inside unit."  

Armor models # 167, 162, 168, 169 - "Zippo's AMOR lighter cases are about 1.5 times as thick as a standard Zippo lighter case. A distinctive bottom stamp authenticates these chrome and solid brass lighters as heavy walled Amor"  

Pipe models # 200PL and 218PL - "The Zippo pipe lighter is made to the same high quality standards as a Zippo windproof pocket lighter, but designed for the special needs of pipe smokers. The ingenious design encases the flame in metal, allowing it to be drawn directly into the pipe without bending over the side. The result, perfectly lit tobacco, with no damage to the pipe"  

All Matte finish models  " A durable powder paint matte coated finish available in a rainbow of colours" 

 

Lasered Hinge on Matte Lighters

As of April/May 2010 you will begin to notice a change in the appearance of the hinge. The powder coat will be lasered off the hinge of all regular matte lighters as they are produced.

Zippo is implementing this cosmetic change for a couple of reasons. The hinge area of matte lighters has been a notorious trouble spot, often requiring touch up by hand to cover the hinge barrels. When a matte lighter comes in for repair, the hinge also has to be touched up by hand to match the rest of the powder coat.

Additionally, lasering the hinge area will be another indicator of a genuine Zippo lighter. Several years ago, Zippo began lasering the powder coat off the bottom of matte lighters to enable clearer view of the bottom stamp identifying the lighter as a genuine Zippo lighter. Similar to this enhancement, a lasered hinge barrel will provide further assurance that the unit is a genuine Zippo lighter. 

This rolling change has already begun on regular matte powder coat lighters as new orders are produced, and will be implemented on slim matte lighters in the future.

 

Zippo Packaging

Below is an example of the Zippo packaging. Designs can vary slightly, but each lighter has it's own box.

 

 

 

 

All Outdoor Ltd are proud to be an Official Stockist of Zippo Products Here in the UK.

Zippo was founded in Bradford, Pennsylvania in 1932 when George G. Blaisdell decided to create a lighter that would look good and be easy to use. Blaisdell obtained the rights for an Austrian windproof lighter with a removable top, and re-designed it to his own requirements. He made the case rectangular and attached the lid to the bottom with a welded hinge, and surrounded the wick with a windhood. Fascinated by another recent invention, the zipper, Blaisdell called his new lighter "Zippo", and backed it with a Lifetime Guarantee.Today

Zippo has produced over 325 million windproof lighters since its founding in 1932. Except for improvements in the flint wheel and modifications in case finishes, Blaisdell's original design remains virtually unchanged today. The Lifetime Guarantee that accompanies every Zippo metal product still guarantees that "It works or we fix it free".

Although the windproof lighter is the most popular Zippo product, Zippo took its first step toward diversification with the introduction of a six-foot flexible steel pocket tape measure in 1962. The success of this product led Zippo to expand the line to its current product family of tape measures, pocket knives, money clips, writing instruments, key holders, ZipLightTM pocket flashlights and the Fixxit pocket tool. Today, all of these items can be imprinted with company logos or trademarks.

Zippo has expanded its sales operations nationally and internationally through a wide network of sales representatives. In more than 120 countries throughout the world, Zippo is synonymous with American made quality and craftsmanship.

Zippo windproof lighters enjoy a widespread and enviable reputation as valuable collectibles. The company produces the Zippo Lighter Collectors' Guide containing illustrations of the lighters and descriptions of the series, as well as an explanation of the date code found on the bottom of every Zippo lighter. Clubs for lighter collectors have been organized in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, United States and now the UK.