Discussion on the IMCO 6700 petrol Lighter

Here is my discussion video of one of my favorite petrol lighters, the IMCO model 6700. Sadly the company is shut down, but there is Chinese versions of them making reasonable OEM versions and you can buy vintage original IMCO lighters if you are willing to pay for them.
I wish I had bought more of them when I had the chance, when they were reasonably priced.
I also show some little known facts about these lighters.
I post all my videos on Australian Blade Forums
www.australian...

[@BillDrives]

I agree, very good lighters. I have an ESBIT IMCO from Korea (exact same spec as original), and also an IMPCO slimline chesterfield (square design). I bought these a long time ago when they were cheap, price has gone up 2x and 3x now. The good thing is they run on just about any fuel you put into them. I use Diggers Shellite which is cheap to purchase.

[@waveman0]

the only problem is they lose fuel pretty quickly through evaporation.

[@waveman0]

@@ThiNguyen-bj7tz yes mine rattles when the lighter is open or closed

[@ratdad48]

Ok I'm going to disagree a little. Mine held fluid and lit two months after I filled it. Had it in my back pack and forgot to fill it before a trip and to my surprise it worked well the entire 5 days.

[@waveman0]

good for you mate, I can only report on my experience.

[@MrRocque]

RE: a fuel storage solution. Zippo sells a fuel container for their lighters, for refilling. An 'off brand' (likely the chinese manufacturer) is also availible for 1/2 the price. Supposedly, the container holds enough fuel to refill a Zippo twice. But even it only holds enough to fill an IMCO once, if it prevents loss of fuel over time, until the IMCO is needed...possible solution.

[@waveman0]

thanks mate, I'll have a look as the evaporation problem is really giving me the shits with all of these types of lighters. I have basically given up on them now because of the evaporation issues and gone over to peanut lighters exclusively because of their "O" ring seal system and you know when you go to light them they will light as their fuel hasn't evaporated. I have looked into fuel cell solutions but haven't really come up with anything that is a really good fit yet, so the Zippo option may just be the ticket. I love the IMCO's but they aren't really up to the task of long term storage (if filled with fluid) and I don't like the idea of having to store them empty with a sealed fuel container. Plus any of the lighters that actually have an "O" ring seal system are really expensive (except the peanut lighter types, except if you buy the titanium ones).

[@MrRocque]

@@waveman0 you have to remember, they were never intended for the purpose of 'long term' storage, bushcraft or 'bug out bag' use. They were 'daily use' lighters and designed as such. That said, they do retain fluid longer than Zippos (usually twice as long), but trying to store them with fluid for long periods is beyond their intended purpose. Not the lighter's fault, that's our 'repurposing' that causes that issue.

[@MrRocque]

@@waveman0 another solution, if you like peanut lighters, is to try a 'better quality' metal match. Plastic bodied ones are less than $2 ea. (they have an o-ring) while better quality metal bodied metal matches are $4 and up. Still with an o-ring to decrease evaporation. I'm still waiting for my metal match to be delivered, so can't speak to how long they store fluid. But the one I ordered is diff. than most. The fluid isn't stored in the body like most metal matches (you have to 'dip' the match into the fluid to soak the wick on most metal matches). Mine, the fluid is stored in the match (so the match is much wider that typical). With TWO o-rings, one on the match (where the fuel is stored) and one where the match screws down on the body (that has the key rings and the ferro rod). If interested, I can try to send you the link to where I ordered my metal match (

[@waveman0]

@@MrRocque totally understand mate, and agree, we often expect too much from things.I used a Zippo for years and had the same complaint, they leaked terribly, same for the IMCO. Still I would have an IMCO over a Zippo every time.

[@johnhoekstra7044]

@@waveman0 www.exotac.com/products/titanlight?variant=40451180997

[@God-mb8wi]

Right. I have the Windmill version, because I enjoy the idea of stainless steal a bit more. Now, I'm not sure what it is, but for the flint housing, I don't need to press down on the button for it to open. All I need to do is, well, open it. I'm wondering what exactly is the issue. How does the closure work? Pressure? I suppose in that case the spring either isn't strong enough or it's sticky, because I can just slide it open, I don't need the button. I'm bothered by this.

[@waveman0]

it's a bit hard to explain, but mine works by the button and pressure, basically you have to push the button and simultaneously put pressure on the sides to pull it open. It is also a bit of an effort to get it to swing open so I don't do it too often. Unless it was sloppy and loose and just opened by itself I wouldn't be too concerned with it.

[@God-mb8wi]

@@waveman0 I suppose it doesn't swing out on its own--it takes meaning to open it to do so. Although the lighter is perfectly functional, I guess I'd rather it be incredibly tight like yours, rather than somewhat loose and opening with little real effort. At least, I'd like the button to do something on mine, ha. But oh well, maybe it's just a bit sticky--or loose--and it'll sort itself out with time. Although I'm wondering: so for yours, I imagine it isn't really possible to open it without pushing the button? (or applying pressure). I'm wondering if what's happening is I'm making a big deal out of what is in actuality the mechanism working just as it should (and I'm just dumb and confused). Thanks for your quick response, by the way.

[@MrRocque]

Normally, but I'm not taking mine apart to prove it, flint wheels operate on a steel 'flanged' washer. IE, a steel washer with flanges, punched from one side causing a 'tab' on the other side, 'catches' the flint wheel when you open the lid (flick). Allowing the wheel to travel with the lid, scraping the flint. Because the tabs only catch the flint wheel and the lid in ONE direction, when the lid is closed, the lid slides over the washer but NOT moving the flint wheel (this decreases the wear on the flint). Thus, cause a 'strike' only when the lid is opened, but not when closed. IF this washer is worn, it can cause the lid to be loose; the pressure of the washer is the only thing making the lid tight on the 'pin' that goes through the lighter body, flint wheel and washer. Since the pin is rivetted, it is inadvisable to take this mechanism apart...but...most non-disposable lighters that 'flick' when opened use the same washer mechanism, and I can't see new IMCOs using something other than an already existing part. But that's a guess on my part.

[@flashdamingo]

Imco are cool.. originally they started as functional trench art Seems like there's still a few esbit branded ones supposedly old stock coming from Korea... I bought one like 5 6 years back and it's pretty much exactly the same as my original Austrian lighter.. Have you seen the Douglas lighter ? I always wanted one of those metro 2033 lighters too!

[@waveman0]

no I've haven't seen the Douglas lighter, I'll look them up. I agree the IMCO are a cool lighter, and along with the peanut light (those new micro one's I've recently reviewed on my channel) my prefered petrol lighters.

[@waveman0]

just looked up the Douglas Lighter, excellent, hand made and expensive, Field L aluminium one runs US$55+postage, brass is US$60+postage from the US The Fields (the waterproof one) is more starts at US$89+postage I like the Neo, a lot more affordable, starts at around US$24+postage. I like how these are actually "O" ring sealed as well so they don't evaporate fuel like all the others do (except the peanut lighter) I'll be keeping my eye on these, look like a very nice lighter.

[@FancescaTanuki]

Were i can but Korean IMCO?

[@MrRocque]

Originally, they were NEVER 'trench art', because the orig. IMCO lighters weren't released until AFTER WWI. Given that 'trench art' was created in the trenches during the war, and these weren't made during the war, they can't be 'trench art'. Plus, they were manufactured, not made by soldiers, in the trenches/hospitals/active duty. They may be styled after 'trench art', lighters made during the war, out of brass casings. But again, post war release negates any possibility of IMCOs being 'trench art'. And this particular model certainly is not 'trench art', since its a different design than the original released in the '20s. THIS design of the IMCO 6000 Tripex series was released in 1936, far too late to be considered 'trench art'.

[@flashdamingo]

@@MrRocque Yes granted...but the design is obviously modelled on the trench art lighters that soldiers DID make whilst in said trenches of WW1

[@PacoElMapache]

be gentle on the wheel. it has a clutch system that is relatively easily stripped. It was negligent on my part, the flint wheel wasn't spinning and i forced it. its too bad because i really liked it

[@waveman0]

thanks mate, I will.

[@FehmiMertUmit]

Which flint do you use

[@waveman0]

I've tried several, currently cheap gold Chinese flints.

[@FehmiMertUmit]

@@waveman0 thanks for the answer man

[@13bravoredleg18]

I have a old Regen squeeze lighter.

[@waveman0]

I love all these old style lighters

[@greekveteran2715]

Are those who have the big IMCO logo on them, good ones? They are the same as your, they just have the IMCO logo on the flat, where your's doesn't. I want to get a decent qualitu one, Thanks in advance

[@waveman0]

I am not sure, though the price is usually indictive of quality. Mine is an original Austrian version.

[@radeon76]

I like imco 6700 Lighter for lighting pipe. number of years a go. I got me a 12 pack of them off ebay .

[@waveman0]

don't you find the taste of lighter fuel comes through? That was why I never liked using a Zippo when I smoked and rather used a Bic.

[@radeon76]

@@waveman0 if your use zippo lighter fluid when smoking Latakia blend Tobacco or English Tobacco blend. I cannot taste lighter fuel. if I am not smoking those blends I will use a IM Corona pipe butane lighter. I hope this helps you.

[@waveman0]

@@radeon76 LOL, thanks mate, but I gave up smoking 17 years ago. Thanks anyway for the info.

[@GuuJiYA-a.k.a-TheCrafty]

Best lighter ever

[@waveman0]

I have to agree, they are pretty good.

[@williampennington2975]

Does it really use gasoline?

[@waveman0]

AFAIK they could but I use lighter fluid to fill mine up.

[@williampennington2975]

@@waveman0 thanks. I’m wondering why mine doesn’t light up. New wick, new flint, used zippo lighter fluid. Tho it does light if i put a second lighter to it

[@waveman0]

@@williampennington2975 yeah they are a bit spot sometimes, mine is somewhat reliable but sometimes I do have to light it with another lighter.

[@williampennington2975]

@@waveman0 yeah mine is a trench version but i guess they wear out over time

[@expandingknowledge8269]

Throw two or three of these in your survivalist kit, with extra fuel and flints and wicks, and you are ready for the SHTF, scenario.

[@waveman0]

they are a good lighter, but don't store them with fuel in them and expect them to retain it.

[@orange010]

IMCO Austria is not in business any longer. They closed their doors in June of 2012. They sold the company name and machines to another investor in China

[@waveman0]

that's the way of things mate, thanks for the info

[@tikkidaddy]

If you're going to use a fluid based lighter, not butane, and you're willing to do basic , extremely fast and simple upkeep, clean it and use decent flints these are hard to beat. There are 1000s of uses for a lighter , camping , fishing, fire craft, general crafting and artwork, even if nobody ever smoked anything ever again. IMCO Austria went out of business and was bought by Japan, who transferred manufacturing to China, and they're now made of 304 stainless. If the tank size is the same I would be interested . I have an old original made in the 90s that has never failed. You can use regular cotton, IMCO wicking is still available and Zippo flint works fine.

[@waveman0]

I still haven't refilled my IMCO light since the last time it ran out of fluid, they are a reasonable lighter just not the best IMHO.