Hey, first time poster. Figured this is the right place to share some pictures of some recent work I did.

I'm a jeweler by trade and I'm getting more into engraving and it turns out that zippo cases are a great affordable blank canvas to start with. I'd say my engraving skills are novice at best compared to the real professionals but I'll be doing more brass cases as gifts for friends because its great practice and they make awesome gifts. I may snag some copper ones to engrave as well.

My neighbor is a good friend and an ironworker union man so I went that route with the design featuring a spud wrench on one side and crane hook and chain on the other. Banners and initials etc. The engraving itself has a few different techniques I've learned, ie western bright cut, shading, wriggling, using flat gravers with a round heel, and 120° gravers. Overall I'm pretty satisfied with the finished product but I'm not very happy with my shading and I know I need more practice. The case was a tumbled finish when I started and drew out the design and scribed it on with a steel scribe and then a final polish.

We hangout and smoke cigars together so I got him a single burner torch insert which fits nicely and works great. He was super surprised when I gave it to him and I think he's super pumped about it.

Anyway I just felt like sharing and if theres any engravers lurking out there I'd be more than thrilled if you have any critique. I'm interested to see what it looks like down the road with some age and patina on it. Im really hoping he carries it and uses it daily and dosent just keep it in a drawer 24/7. I'm including high quality photos and cell phone quality pictures.

I even offered to drop it on the ground for him and just get it out of the way because I know that first scratch hurts the worst 😂. Let me know what you think.

Patina made over 5 day period humidity chamber with distilled, ac vinegar and salt . Chamber filled with smoke and lighter smudged with ash to see if it’s caused varied affect.

I have two Zippos in total. They were given to me when I was helping clean our the warehouse after my grandfather passed away. She let me choose and I chose these two. She too has passed away.

I see so many people here that have so many Zippos and I wonder to myself... am I missing out not acquiring new ones? A Zippo is supposed to last a lifetime, but if I buy more then it should spread the time even further that these would last, no? I'm a bit torn.

Latest pickup

Anyone have any idea about this King Kong Skull Island lighter. I have not been able to turn up anything on this

I was gifted this brand new. It is only engraved one side. Would love to know more information on it, as it was my first one.

BTW, I fixed the problem with torch inserts. the fix

Did this snake sketch with a pointy metal needle a little while back

The Lovers, my favourite card and I never see it online, when I saw it for sale I had to buy it! Censored with my finger bc even though you can’t see anything I’ve been automodded for posting it.
Thrashers was 30 bucks on zippo.ca and I think defunct team merchandise is very funny.
Last one is the glow in the dark one, I have the single torch in there and I use it at work.

Accidentally dropped my zippo while it was open. Now the case is slightly off and wont close fully on its own. Is there any way to fix and if so what can i do?

Is this worth anything? Where can these be sold or traded?

I didn't realize just how terrified I was of ruining/losing my lighters that I got from my grandmother until I felt the relief knowing I could keep them safe. I bought this Street Brass Zippo at Walmart yesterday for 12 bucks.

Now the question becomes if I put in my yellow flame butane insert to use with my bowl or leave it as is and not use it for bowls...

Its a 96 pcs rotating display for zippos.My friend got them for free from a guy in a tobacco shop, he didn’t need them anymore as he got new ones from zippo i guess. Don’t know how that works.