Neither of these two lighters was designed with survival in the wilderness in mind but were intended to be cigarette lighters when they were first produced. Their usefulness has evolved beyond this function over the years, and they have been embraced by the survival and prepping community as an indispensable part of their gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s take a look at how the features of each of these lighter compare and how they stack up to the rigors our outdoor use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BIC Lighter Pros And Cons For Survival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The BIC lighter is by no means a newcomer and has been a household name since its invention and launch in 1973. The BIC lighter was made to be durable, reliable, and disposable. The lighter uses a liquefied petroleum-based gas called butane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its durability and reliability have made it a firm favorite for prepping and survival purposes. Its cheap cost makes it possible for you to stock your EDC bag and bug-out-bag with enough BIC lighters to keep making survival fires for a long time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some pros that make the BIC lighter a good choice as a survival lighter include the following.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some cons for the BIC lighter that you may want to consider before you commit to their use are as follows.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Zippo lighter is a cultural icon, particularly in the USA, which has been around since 1933. The Zippo is not a sealed unit lighter, but has a reservoir that needs to be filled with While there is no argument that it has much history, how well does it do as a survival lighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some pros for the Zippo as a survival lighter are as follows.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The following are the major cons for using a Zippo as a survival lighter, which may make you rethink using them for this purpose.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The manufacturers of Zippo have realized that the original design has some limitations for the survival market and has responded by creating a butane insert for the Zippo lighter. In this way, you can retain the sentimental or pop culture value of the Zippo and combine it with the reliability of the butane cartridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This butane cartridge is also refillable, which will allow you to refill your favorite lighter and have it ready for all your survival needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zippo lighters have become very popular, to the point that they almost have a cult following globally. While these lighter may be popular, they may not be as practical as the BIC lighter for survival purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Practicality aside, many people love to carry Zippo lighters, simply because they like them, or they have a sentimental value to the person. However, I would not like to carry something for sentimental reasons and then have to stake my life on them working when I need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, many people who carry Zippos will also have a BIC lighter or two, accessible as a backup to the Zippo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From a pure practicality point of view, in my opinion, the BIC lighter comes out on top as the one I would prefer to have with me in a survival situation over the Zippo lighter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is another lighter on the market that is not as well-known as the BIC or the zippo but has some good qualities that could make it a contender for a spot in your EDC bag or bug-out-bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plasma lighters are a recent addition on the lighter market, and these lighters use a small arc of plasma electricity to ignite your tinder material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plasma lighters are not suitable for survival purposes as their charge does not last long, and you will need access to electricity to recharge them with a mini-USB port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From a personal perspective, I like both lighters and have a version of a zippo which I use at home, but for survival purposes, I like the practicality and reliability of the BIC. However, I also have a Clipper, which I like for its ability to be refilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a true survivalist, my gear bag does not only have lighters, since technology can always let you down. In my gear, you will also find flint and steel, a knife and Ferro rod, matches, a magnifying glass, and various kinds of tinder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/craftofmanhood.com\/\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Bic-or-Zippo-Which-Lighter-is-Best-for-Survival-02.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nZippo Lighter Pros And Cons For Survival<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
BIC vs Zippo Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other Survival Lighters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What About Plasma Lighters?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n