Big lighter made lighter

[Gregory Petliski]

If you remove the warning sticker, child safety, red push button, and metal sleeve from a full size bic lighter, you can save about 1/12th of an ounce (2.28 grams to be exact).

I did this test to satisfy my insane curiosity, and because in reality, if I can find a way to shave just 1/12th of an ounce from almost every item in my pack, that would add up real quick.

[Chris Lucas]

I nuked the sticker too but never tried hacking further on my mini bic.

Mini bic minus sticker: 12 grams
Mini bic minus sticker & shield: 11 grams
Mini bic minus sticker, shield, red button, and hook over striker: 10 grams

It took a little work with my smallest needle nose pliers to bend things back into place so it doesn't leak after removal of the hook but it seems to be 100% functional and 2 grams lighter. Not bad for free thanks!

Exploded Mini Bic with Masses of Components

EDIT: I scraped the stupid BIC logo off with a razor blade but as expected made no measurable difference on my gram scale. My milligram scale at work would be able to pick up the difference ;)

[Gregory Petliski]

Wow, I've been trumped! Not only did you use the smaller lighter, duh, you even went and scraped the logo. Shouldve figured that my version of hardcore is actually pretty standard around here!

[Scott Lehr]

You could even take it a step farther and try to thin out the plastic housing. Use a dremel tool or something similar and start thinning it out very slowly. You could even remove the plastic "plug" on the bottom and replace it with mylar or something is you really want to get obsessive.

[Will Webster]

Butane at room temperature has a vapor pressure in excess of two atmospheres. I would think twice about weakening a pressure vessel filled with a flammable gas/liquid mix that I'm going to carry on or about my person.

[Steve Cain]

Agree on NOT trimming the casing! I've had a mini Bic "explode", venting out all it's contents due to excessive heat while inside my pack lid on a 104 degree day one summer! I would think that monkeying around with the thickness of the case is not a great idea unless you want to be mentioned in next year's Darwin awards.

[Greg Mihalik]

"Single Use" takes on a whole new meaning…

[Jerry Adams]

I had a BIC lighter explode – left in sun in summer – I kept finding little bits of plastic in my gear for days

[Kevin Beeden]

How about drilling a lot of holes in the case to save weight…?

On a more serious note, if you use a gas burner, all you need is the striker mechanism from a disposable lighter. And a quick technique…

The striker mechanism can be removed intact from some lighters. If not, we're back to drilling holes in the case. Also no need to carry that huge mass of butane…

[James S]

Sand down the plastic case until transparent, then apply 2 layers of duct tape.

[Scott Lehr]

Why didn't i think of this? This is perfect. I might even try this with my tent and aircore pad to lighten those up too!

[Will Webster]

Works well on cooking pots, too

[Chris Lucas]

Don't forget that your heaviest piece of gear is you! Whip out that 2" forstner bit and start lightening your load.

[James Marco]

"Don't forget that your heaviest piece of gear is you! Whip out that 2" forstner bit and start lightening your load."
Now, now… we really don't want to ream anybody out…

[Scott Ashdown]

I'll start with cutting my toe nails and work my way up!

[Ken Thompson]

Anyone try on a mini Bic?

[Chris Lucas]

Yes, the second post in the thread is a mini bic being treated.

[Jeff Brown]

Growing up if we found a Bic lighter on the ground we'd throw it against the ground for the explosion effect. Definitely a lot of pressure there. Of course, this is before I learned about Leave No Trace : )

p.s. Thanks for this great tip!

[Troy Ammons]

You guys are nuts.

[Jeff Brown]

Nuts. Really?

If you carry 1000 bic lighters this method saves you over 5 lbs!

:-)

[David Schreiber]

About halfway down this page is a well known but interesting fire starter: let the fuel out of the lighter, cut it in half, stuff with whatever tinder you choose, light with flint. Not the lightest, but cheap and easy.

[Gregory Petliski]

Hahaha. As M.E. "Postcard" Hughes said of his AT hike, "Counting ounces isn't fanatical, its practical"

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