Zippo lighter: How can you spot a counterfeit?

Lighters are an indispensable part of any day for many people around the world. But what about Zippo lighters? The brand was invented in the United States and has become the No. 1 brand of lighters for smokers. As well as being trendy, the Zippo lighter has many advantages, combining practicality, simplicity and durability. It's becoming a real collector's item. More than just a fashion statement, Zippo lighters have the advantage of being compact and therefore easy to use. They can also be refilled with petrol and have the ability to create a flame that is protected from the wind.

Unfortunately, an object so coveted by so many smokers has not deterred crooks, who have been quick to imitate the product. These counterfeiters take pleasure in offering and selling counterfeit lighters on various websites. If you're looking to buy a Zippo lighter, here are our tips for distinguishing a genuine Zippo from a counterfeit.

The price

First of all, pay particular attention to the price. A relatively low price may be suspect. To be sure of the authenticity of the product, we advise you to go directly to the official website to get an overview of the prices for the different models available.

Packaging

In terms of packaging, Zippo lighters are generally sold in a cardboard box with the brand logo inscribed. Zippo lighters come from a factory in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The origin of a Zippo lighter can guarantee its authenticity. Once the origin of the Zippo has been established, a stamp is placed on the bottom of the case. It must include the Zippo logo with a flame in place of the dot on the letter "i". Below the logo, you will find the inscription "Bradford.PA Made in U.S.A.", which confirms that the lighter was indeed manufactured in the Bradford factory in Pennsylvania. This stamp is your guarantee of authenticity.

This is an authentic Zippo lighter:

Quality materials

Most Zippo lighters are made from brass. However, the factory also produces models in pure copper, silver, gold and titanium to meet every need. Zippo lighters are often recognised by their wooden or rubber inserts on the body, as well as their leather composition.

The appearance of the Zippo

Inspect the appearance of the product, starting by checking that there are no irregularities in the design of the lighter. Look closely at the windscreen of the lighter on each side to observe the 8 holes that should be symmetrically visible on the product. If the Zippo lighter has more or fewer than 8 holes and these are located asymmetrically, there is a good chance that your product is counterfeit. You can see this in the photo below.

The stamp

The stamp on the Zippo identifies the product and gives it a unique lighter number. It must be stamped and not engraved. Next, the letters to the left of the stamp indicate the month in which the product was released, in the range A-L. The numbers to the right of the stamp indicate the year in which the product entered the market. These elements will give you an idea of how your product was designed and marketed.
Fake Zippo lighters do not have these authentication features on the stamp, so it's pretty easy to identify a genuine Zippo lighter.

Curious to find out more about counterfeiting? Read our articles on the counterfeit Apple HomePod mini and the counterfeit Nintendo Switch.

Secure your Zippo lighter purchase with Obvy

If you want to buy your Zippo lighter on resale platforms, we advise you to use Obvy to secure your transaction.

Obvy is a secure payment platform that helps you avoid the scams that are common in transactions between private individuals. When you make a transaction on Obvy, the funds are only credited to your seller when the buyer certifies that the goods purchased are in order. If this is not the case, you are automatically refunded and the item is returned to the seller.

By using Obvy to carry out transactions between private individuals, you can also benefit from payment in several instalments.