3 Vintage Items You Can Add To Your Camping Kit!

I show you how to maintain your Zippo lighter and discuss two other items you should add to your camping kit. This is the first in a series of common items you can find to add some traditional flair to your camping experience. If you would like to join me, Dave Canterbury, James Bender, Sarge Vining, Nathanael Logsdon and others then click here to view the form to get all the details and join in the fun! forms.gle/DouL...
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What I like to use in the field:
BOY SCOUT MESS KIT modern update:
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THEROZ MESS KIT modern update:
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Hand Warmer:
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Hand Warmer Fuel:
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Boker Trapper Pocket Knife:
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Old Timer Jack Knife:
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Old Hickory "Kephart":
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Old Hickory fish knife:
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Sewing Kit:
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Marble's Match Case:
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Bayite Ferro Rod:
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Flint and Steel Kit:
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Small storage Tins:
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Blanket Pins:
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Graniteware cup:
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"Classic White" enamelware mug:
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Hohner "Pocket Pal" harmonica:
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"Scout Rope":
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Stonebridge Folding Lantern:
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Rope Lighter:
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Tube Whistle:
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Sewing Kit:
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"Awl for All" equipment repair:
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I am an affiliate to the links above and I may earn a commission if you choose to purchase something from them.

[@ScottCarlson-cz7wj]

Unlike a bic, the zippo can be used no handed. I put a 1.5" strip of bicycle tube over the zippo crack. Fuel will last up to a month. Zippo sells a tiny stainless flask to store extra fuel. We were taught to use the P-38 during basic in the early 1980's; C- rats were still around and, MRE's were just taking over. Thxs for the nice video.

[@rlbennett]

I do the same with the bicycle tube much longer between fill ups

[@randolphciurlino7255]

You can store a couple extra flints between the felt and the cotton. Some type of "Ranger Band" around the lighter body and the lid substantially slows evaporation . Not sure if that is period appropriate

[@randymartin5521]

You can use a "rubber band" cut from an old bicycle inner tube, bikes have been around longer than Zippos, I'm sure someone in bygone years thought of that, so I think we could say it's most likely period correct. 😉

[@Blrtech77]

Hi Shawn, Great Video. I quit smoking 34 years ago, but I still carry a zippo with me because you never know when you will have to start a fire etc.! I've upgraded my zippo and I use the butane insert. It works great and you still have the nostalgic click of opening the zippo. The can opener you had was the P-51. Uncle Sam made 2 different models. The smaller P-38 and the bigger P-51. I still use both of them but as I get older I find I can grip the P-51 easier. Anyway keep up the great work and be safe out there!

[@57WillysCJ]

I call my Zippo my flint and steel. Most of the time I use butane inserts but I have the old ones to go back in time with. Since I am older and have arthritus I use a P51 opener which is the bigger model. Since I live on Lake Superior and know what winter is I have the hand warmers. Not just the small one but also the large one. many times they don't come with the bag but you can easily make one from a old piece of flannel sheet or pillow case. Everyone should watch for them on garage sales. An old pants pocket will work as well. That is where you will find the heaters and Zippo. Other wise at a flea market in the glass display cases. Same place you will find old pocket knives. One thing I learned from a guy that had a ranch in the mountains of California. He said he put his in his left shirt pocket and that warmed the blood near the heart which was then pumped to the rest of the body. I find it okay if I am not dressed properly for really cold temps. Old duck hunters used the hand warmers a lot.

[@ostekuste3646]

I carry a zippo every day as a pipe lighter. I’ve had and used the same one for over 25 years and have only occasionally changed a flint or two. I learned early on to just top off the fuel every few days and you are good to go. Don’t overfill and throw in your pocket though, fumes and excess fuel will give you a chem burn through your pocket. Better to fill more often and not as much excess than to overfill.

[@randymartin5521]

And that P38 or the larger P51 can be used as a screwdriver to loosen that flint screw on your Zippo so you don't need to carry a penny around.

[@donl1410]

As mentioned by others, the can opener shown is a P-51. The P-38 is a smaller version. I keep a P-38 on my key ring. Zippo used to have a free repair policy. I've sent mine in for repair and rebuild for only postage cost.

[@Pygar2]

I have the carbon-rod hand warmer, and it's easy to use and fun. I'm hoping some clever soul works out how to make those carbon rods at home from charcoal! While not vintage, I don't think, I can recommend the Aussie FRED... "Field Ration Eating Device" It's like a P-52 opener with a spoon bowl on one end. There's a big box store equivalent I have never tried. It's pretty sturdy, used mine to chip through ice so I could get to my car battery for a jumpstart!

[@josedelarosa1042]

When zippo makes their lighters they send them out with the wick jammed into the top of the body. If you pull all the batting out and as you repack it you weave it between the batting as you go you will get more out of the fuel you put into it.

[@nicholasspychalski9805]

I always just use the lid of the Zippo to change the flint

[@rahtoren6385]

I always have coiple p38 can open car and camp kit you can find large p51 can opener ace hardware sometimes.

[@kacythomas7436]

I bought a zipo lighter about16 or 17 years ago, at that time it cost me 20 dollars. It was stolen, so have not replaced the Lighter. I have one of those heaters and the two can openers.

[@blueeyeswhitedragon9839]

No one seems to have mentioned the famous Zippo pocket burn. I used to keep my Zippo in front pocket pocket and the small amount of Zippo fuel leakage (liquid or fumes) would cause a skin irritation that felt like a burn and looked like a palm sized red section of skin. Very painful. This can be partially eliminated by placing a section of bicycle tube over the crack between the fuel section and the cap of the Zippo lighter, but not totally eliminated. I basically stopped using Zippo fuel lighters because of this problem.

[@sargevining]

Yes, it has been my belief that in the "Early Days" when we called this Classic Camping (and now Traditional Camping) that the emphasis on "casual camping" involving wall tents, cots, book shelves, carpets, dutch ovens and cast iron campfire equipment elicits interest by the general public, but the expense and storage space required intimidates those who may be interested in participating, as well as gives the wrong impression about camping and trekking during the period. This hobby needs an equal mix of modern backpackers, vintage car collectors, Living Historians, and Bushcraft afficionados to properly interpret the period AND show people that a huge investment is not required. Its one of the reasons I stress using What Price Glory and other 19th and early 20th century military reenacting equipment vendors to shop for your Traditional Camping equipment. See you at Squirrel Camp. I might ship you a box of stuff so I don't have to fill up the sleeping space I need in the Big Steel Tent on the trip--I'll be on the road for at least three weeks. Squirrel Camp is a stop on the way. What are your favorite muffins?

[@rahtoren6385]

Holy cow i got 1940s steel tin dipped BSA cook kit. Well this weekend though felt guilty doing so the history attech kit. I have say that steel fry pan best i have used camping outside cast iron.even missing lid my kit to pot it is heavy compared aluminum. It rven better then moderen stainless similar cook kit but plastic cup it better. Stainless might be equal if had thicker pan.

[@Hobomountainwander]

Can you explain what squirrel is for us new people? And how can we attend?

[@gud2go50]

A ferro rod is the first way to start a fire. Lighters fail. Flint and steel does not! I found that to many times when I reached for my zippo, it was dry. Bic lighters are better in my experience along with my ferro rod.😊

[@ROE1300]

👍 Interesting vintage gear. When I was growing up in the 1950s & 1960s ( the 5th & 6th decades of the 20th Century) almost every smoker I remember carried a Zippo lighter. It was really the Bic lighter of that time period. Without a doubt the Zippo is much more stylish than a Bic; unfortunately, that is all the Zippo has to offer. In the 3rd decade of the 21st Century the Bic is a much better choice. However, as Sargeb, you, and Nathanael continually remind us part of the fun of vintage camping is in learning to use these older pieces of gear as our parents (in my case) would have, especially efficiently overcoming their drawbacks compared to modern gear.

[@rahtoren6385]

Yeah had zippo but it leaks carry moderen warmers but they do still sale zippo metal warmer.dometime hard find.

[@rahtoren6385]

Need pouch for Zippo that annoying to pocket soaked lighter fluid. Lighter fluid can be used though must be careful as solvent.

[@jwgbmp40]

Is that an old USMC web belt youre wearing? Back in the day it is the one belt issued to be worn with every uniform.. looked just like that..

[@akbychoice]

P-51, bic and instant heat packs.

[@kevine9986]

When you overfill the Zippo the fluid leaks out and burns your skin. Front pants pocket isn't pleasant

[@magking1971]

In my old age a p51 is easier to use

[@mannihh5274]

It's okay, if you like to go 'oldschool' out of boredom, re-enactment or role-play, but in today's life Zippo-lighters are expensive, heavy and bulky, falling short against a BIC-lighter in every way, except for it's hands-free operation.

[@MattDeckard]

I miss the campaign hat