NewSmoke
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2011
- Messages
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I just wanted to give some kudos to the fine folks at Zippo.
I'm not going to say that I am a superstitious person, though I do knock on wood now and then to prevent from "jinxing" myself, and I have a good luck charm, my trusty Zippo lighter. I have always carried a Zippo with me for as long as I can remember. When I was 16 or 17 (96 or 97), my girlfriend (now wife) gave me a standard chrome Zippo. Back then I was a pack a day Marlboro man and it suited me well. I took that Zippo with me all over the world with my travels as an Infantryman in the US Army (I joined at 17 with my parents' signature). I had that Zippo for about 10 years when the unthinkable happened. I was on my way home from one of my many trips (2007). My Zippo was safely packed in my checked luggage, it hadn't had fuel in it since 2004 when I kicked the Marlboro habit. Well, German customs conducted a search of my bags in Frankfurt and confiscated my Zippo.....I didn't find out until I was back stateside, it broke my heart. The Customs Agent only left a small slip of paper in its place stating that my Zippo was verboten.
Fast forward six months....
My family and I are relaxing and spending some quality time together in Orlando (pre-deployment leave) before I head back to the Middle East. We had just finished a delicious meal at the Hard Rock Cafe right outside Universal Studios, and I found myself in a nice Tobacco/Cigar Shoppe.....it was there that I found my new Zippo. A beautiful chrome standard with a waving American Flag etched on the side, it seemed very symbolic considering where I was going. It also would serve to remind me of the time spent with my loving family in the States.
My new Zippo has been with me to several different countries and two theaters of combat. It is my good luck charm. Needless to say, there is no way I am letting this one out of my sight.
So here I am in Afghanistan, waiting for my Peterson and some choice tobacco to get here from Cup O' Joes. I've been all through this forum, collecting tips, expanding my knowledge and making friends, when I happen upon a few members talking about the Zippo Pipe Insert. Now this is PERFECT for me and I've got to get one. I set out on the internet searching high and low on where I can get this insert. I never find it....not the real Zippo insert anyways. So I reach out to Zippo for help. I explain my situation via email to a customer relations associate and ask where one can be purchased.
Today, I received an email from Zippo stating that they do not offer the inserts for individual purchase and that normally the Zippo must be sent to them to have the insert installed, but because of my circumstance (and the fact that I'm on the other side of the world) an exception was made and the insert would be mailed today, free of charge. That is almost unheard of these days.
I've read the reviews out there on pipe lighters, and I know there are differences of opinion between the brothers about using a Zippo to light up their favorite bowl, but for me, I'm a Zippo man all the way. I will continue to carry a Zippo in my pocket for a long, long time. So if you ever need a light, I'm the guy to ask.
Thanks for reading this.....Eric.
I'm not going to say that I am a superstitious person, though I do knock on wood now and then to prevent from "jinxing" myself, and I have a good luck charm, my trusty Zippo lighter. I have always carried a Zippo with me for as long as I can remember. When I was 16 or 17 (96 or 97), my girlfriend (now wife) gave me a standard chrome Zippo. Back then I was a pack a day Marlboro man and it suited me well. I took that Zippo with me all over the world with my travels as an Infantryman in the US Army (I joined at 17 with my parents' signature). I had that Zippo for about 10 years when the unthinkable happened. I was on my way home from one of my many trips (2007). My Zippo was safely packed in my checked luggage, it hadn't had fuel in it since 2004 when I kicked the Marlboro habit. Well, German customs conducted a search of my bags in Frankfurt and confiscated my Zippo.....I didn't find out until I was back stateside, it broke my heart. The Customs Agent only left a small slip of paper in its place stating that my Zippo was verboten.
Fast forward six months....
My family and I are relaxing and spending some quality time together in Orlando (pre-deployment leave) before I head back to the Middle East. We had just finished a delicious meal at the Hard Rock Cafe right outside Universal Studios, and I found myself in a nice Tobacco/Cigar Shoppe.....it was there that I found my new Zippo. A beautiful chrome standard with a waving American Flag etched on the side, it seemed very symbolic considering where I was going. It also would serve to remind me of the time spent with my loving family in the States.
My new Zippo has been with me to several different countries and two theaters of combat. It is my good luck charm. Needless to say, there is no way I am letting this one out of my sight.
So here I am in Afghanistan, waiting for my Peterson and some choice tobacco to get here from Cup O' Joes. I've been all through this forum, collecting tips, expanding my knowledge and making friends, when I happen upon a few members talking about the Zippo Pipe Insert. Now this is PERFECT for me and I've got to get one. I set out on the internet searching high and low on where I can get this insert. I never find it....not the real Zippo insert anyways. So I reach out to Zippo for help. I explain my situation via email to a customer relations associate and ask where one can be purchased.
Today, I received an email from Zippo stating that they do not offer the inserts for individual purchase and that normally the Zippo must be sent to them to have the insert installed, but because of my circumstance (and the fact that I'm on the other side of the world) an exception was made and the insert would be mailed today, free of charge. That is almost unheard of these days.
I've read the reviews out there on pipe lighters, and I know there are differences of opinion between the brothers about using a Zippo to light up their favorite bowl, but for me, I'm a Zippo man all the way. I will continue to carry a Zippo in my pocket for a long, long time. So if you ever need a light, I'm the guy to ask.
Thanks for reading this.....Eric.