The “Tribute” -A Vintage-Inspired Zippo Refinement Insert — by Legendary Lighters
The traditional design of the Zippo lighter we all know is a masterpiece of American engineering. It has remained essentially unchanged for generations because it works. The Tribute is not an attempt to change that iconic silhouette; rather, it is a vintage-inspired refinement insert that preserves the original design while incorporating modern alterations for fuel saving and high performance.Choose your customized insert:
The Classic Zippo Series: Available in High-Polished Chrome, antique brass, or gunmetal black steel.
The Zippo Pipe Series: Specialized chimney design for pipe smokers, available in Chrome, Brass, antique brass, or gunmetal black steel.
The Zippo Slim Series: Available in Chrome, brass, antique brass, or gunmetal black steel.
The Antique Series: (Aged brass) A distressed patina that complements any lighter featuring a marbled pattern of browns blacks, simulating an oxidized brass insert that is many years old. A baked on a toughened high temperature clear coat is baked on to preserve the real metal feel while protecting the patina.
The Gunmetal line: Solid steel construction with a durable black oxide coating. This chemically altered finish achieves a deep jet black that is darker than any paint or coating. The finish is also sealed and protected with a high temperature scratch resistant baked on clear coat that will preserve the patina for many years.
All Legendary Lighters Inserts are disassembled completely and rebuilt using the highest quality components, many of which are manfactured in house and all others are sourced from reputable vendors ensuring every insert is built to the highest standard of quality in the industry. Our goal is to build the insert to last as long as the lighter while preserving aesthetic of the traditional design that makes a Zippo a Zippo.
All inserts include the following alterations:
High-Tension Springs. The “Snap”For a more snappy lid action choose a modern Zippo spring that is heavier duty, a vintage style humped back Spring, or our own design - the Dual Action Compound Leaf Spring. All three options are will provide a powerful lid action.
The enhanced Zippo spring is thicker and the made from Japanese high manganese spring steel (SK95), the humped back spring uses the geometry and physics of the hump to increase its power, and the Legendary Lighters spring utilized a second spring that acts as floating fulcrum point for the upper one without putting any extra tension on the cam rivet.
Cotton Bacon Prime Wick: The “Red Thunder”:
The Legendary Lighters proprietary wick is made from organic cotton bacon prime that is perfectly aligned in the same direction. This is an alternative type of wick that is super simple - there is a wire mesh surrounding the cotton which allows the wadding to be in direct contact with the core of the wick. The copper and acts as a heat sync the prevents the cotton from burning, increasing the life of the wick. The diamond weave acts as a cage that prevents the delicate fibers from crushing and keeps it just tight enough to prevent excess evaporation. The wires provide rigidity and increase capillary action by moving heat to the fuel reservoir. It lights with every strike and has a clean and steady burn that doesn’t impart any flavor of its own.
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Advanced Fuel Retention Wadding. The “Sponge”
Choose cotton bacon prime for a far superior option to standard cotton. It has incredible capillary action and fuel capacity.
Or for fuel saving and long lasting absorbency, choose premium camel hair wadding for structural integrity, and for its unique anti-evaporation properties and exceptional fuel retention and delivery.
Metal Bottom Gaskets. The “Barrier”The fuel chamber is sealed with a bottom gasket the prevent evaporation and leakage and feature a spring loaded fuel port for convenient refilling and extra flint storage.
High Hardness Flint Wheel. The “Shredder”Tempered to exceed HRC62 Rockwell hardness and sharpened in a double cut diamond pattern for maximum spark without eating up flints. It rides on a brass bushing for an effortless striking action.
420 Stainless Steel Cam Lever. The “Ping”The pendulum is designed for durability and enhanced acoustics. It polished at the pivot points and where it rides along the spring, and then dry lubricated with graphite powder. Usually there is 5 decibel increase the "ping" and a noticeably high pitch as well.
Soft Silicone Flints. The “Spark”At the heart of the ignition system, these soft flints are silicone based to minimize wear and soot buildup. They have a high concentration of ferrocenium to throw out huge sparks with every flick.
Nickel-Silver Rivets. The “Axel”The rivets used are ultra strong for a lifetime of smooth gliding and they remain shiny creating a contrast that makes it really pop.
Extra consumables included. The “Cache”Comes with extra flints in a tiny brass container, another wick attached to a needle for easy replacement, Additional wadding, a universal lighter screw tool, and extra gaskets.
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Technical Note: This listing is for the insert only; a compatible case is required for proper operation, and the insert will not function without being installed in a case. Designed to fit perfectly into standard Zippo cases. Ships without fuel and has never been filled. Each unit is individually tested and verified for proper spark and mechanical function prior to shipment. Legendary Lighters is an independent manufacturer; we are fans of Zippo but are not affiliated with them in any way. We stand fully behind our alterations and craftsmanship. If you ever have a problem with your lighter please reach out and it will be repaired for no cost just like the original Zippo warranty.