How to Spot a Fake Zippo Lighter 'Rippo'

Check out my most recent addition to the collection: a rather impressive "Rippo".
This video is for modern fakes, I have done a video on Vietnam fakes, but it could use some updating. If you would like to see another video on Vietnam fakes, let me know in the comments.

Now, I understand that some collectors may immediately notice that this is a fake, but just think about it. Maybe someone is out in the wild, gets excited about a Zippo they’ve never seen before, glances at the bottom stamp, looks at the insert, and at first glance might say, "Oh nice, a real Zippo." They buy it, get back to the house, and realize a few days later that they've picked up a fake.

That's the level of fake this Zippo is. In my opinion, it's very sneaky for the moderate to "oh cool, a Zippo" collectors.

I enjoy collecting fake Zippos because it helps me understand what to look for and how to communicate that to others. In my experience, if you say "That's a fake Zippo," the seller often gets insulted and believes you're trying to "get one over" on them.

As mentioned in the video, here are the biggest tells that this is a fake, in order of red flags:

1. Double-sided image: Unless it was a salesman sample, Zippo generally does not use double-sided images that have nothing to do with each other. The Afghanistan image is also notorious for being fake.

2. The bottom stamp: Compared to other 2009 Zippos, the font and font size are different from a real Zippo (a very minor difference).

3. The click: When compared to a real Zippo, the click is obvious. However, think about being out in the wild — it could have a similar click to a Zippo when used on its own.

4. The insert: Very well done compared to most fakes. A lot of the fakes I’ve come across do not mimic a real Zippo well, and usually, the insert is a cheap Chinese knockoff with spelling errors.

Let me know in the comments what you think!

Thank you for watching.

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Hey Everyone,

My name is JRO Lights and I have been collecting Zippos for over 15 years. My collecting themes include: limited editions, Collectibles of the years, and any unique/ special designs.

I am not a film expert or editor, however I have a passion for Zippos and I hope to bring a variety and diverse range of Zippo information.

My mission is to bring knowledge to both new collectors and more seasoned collectors, and also bring more knowledge to myself.

#zippo #lighter #fake #jrolights

[JRO_Lights]

What do you think about this "Rippo". Check the video description for more clarification on the Red Flags on what makes this Zippo a "Rippo"
Also to my fellow key board warriors, I compared over 30 "2009" Zippos to this fake and every Zippo was the same except for one: The Rippo.
Disclaimer: Not all of the Zippos in the eBay scroll is a fake. If you are unsure, always make sure you purchase from a reputable supplier.

[nimarkb]

Thanks for the video. Its insane that you uploaded it just a week ago because for the past few days i was questioning if my zippo could be fake and i couldnt find a definitive answer.
I know its real now.

[ZippoTips]

🔥 I almost bought a RIPPO! 😱 The fake looked PERFECT — even had the ‘click’ and the bottom stamp. Thank God I watched this before burning my cash (literally). People NEED to see this — fake Zippos are getting too good. Zippo collectors, let’s expose the fakes together! Who else got tricked once? 👇

[StefanMarx-in]

Hey JRO,
cool content and videos you create there!
I just recently got into Zippos and somehow catch fire :) i dont even smoke...
Youre chanel helps to learn a lot.
Sadly the prices here in europe are quite a bit higher then in the us and the availebility is limited.
Anyway, keep on going!
Greetings from Germany
Stefan

[jinkim]

I've been trying to collect new-ish lighters recently in an effort to track minute changes that often go missed and it's been a heck of a rabbit hole... I've slowed it down a bit due to real life commitments but I'll say that the thing that stood out to me immediately was the profile of the edges of the canned bottom. Zippo has gone through a few changes in the shape of that canned portion, but when you lay out several genuine ones you get a feel for what it should look like and the counterfeit there sticks out.

As for the red felt bottom, of course this could always get swapped but the transition point is definitely the period between late 2011 and early 2012. I've been buying new old stock sealed lighters as much as possible for these details so as to minimize the possibility of swapped parts.

[garyhost]

Id say that is a dam good fake. Ive seen vietnams that are so easy to spot. this seems pretty spot on....almost.

[fabiomoscatt]

Thanks for the information; I have a question: I bought a brass zippo of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy CV 67 double face dated Sept. 1992 (I-VIII); Do you have any information about this? I also saw a zippo of solid brass USS Iowa BB 61 Special Edition dated like this 1932-1984; is this also a fake? Thanks in advance

[ruithinks]

It seems anything military related tend to have fakes. Is there other themes that have lots of fakes? Are the old Camel and Marlboro zippos another theme to keep a close eye on ?

[stevencarter]

Cool intro. So I’m dealing with some stuff. But I think I got a fake one. So this hemp shop had zippos and they had a very nice selection of 9 zippos. I got a gold one with a cross and stuff engraved in it. For $60 Canadian I was like. That’s an insane deal. Then I was confused when it didn’t have a box. I think it had the sticker on the back. But the bottom is flat and rounded off. Zippos usually got that indent on the bottom. Because at the vape store they were expensive. Guy said if it was that cheap and no box it’s probably a fake. Well. Whatever

[johnnyblade]

Good video, aliexpress is full of high quality fakes. Id be very interested to hear your opinion if you ever get your hands on a couple.

[billymorris]

I recently bought 3 Zippos from a guy for 8 dollars one is a Marlboro compass from the 90s one is like one of the Walmart bubble pack ones and the 3rd I really have some questions about I think it's pretty old if I email you some pics could you possibly help me determine if it's real

[mhelmyjohn]

Hey man, I'm sorry to say this, but both of that insert is a fake. The real one should "ZIPPO MADE IN USA". Not "MADE IN ZIPPO USA". That is a real fake.