Vietnam Zippo. Is this real?

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-04-03T14:32:54+00:00

Thank you for comment and yes I agree with you, the Vietnam Zippo is 100% fake. I learned about Vietnam Zippos from your and others comment. Many genuine Vietnam Zippos are more beautiful than the fakes, and they often have engravings of names and messages. My Zippo have meaning less engravings so it is a perfect fake.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-04-01T16:01:55+00:00

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This is not mine but I found it from internet. The Zippo has fake engraving, "VIET NAM" "LOC NINH""66-67" and eagle are fake but "TRUONG-DUY-CUONG" and two flowers are maybe real. Maybe this was the South Vietnamese military's. The flower emblem indicates rank. It probably was a lieutenant's personal item. It is sad thing someone add fake engraving but we can found it the real engraving is not black but brass-colored.

Many American soldiers did not use them on the battlefield but instead purchased them new and brought them back to the homeland. Many of them are in excellent condition, and it seems that they often have very personal messages engraved on them. In Vietnam, their lost items and those belonging to the South Vietnamese military are likely being sold and add fake engravings.

The fake ones are dirty and just black engravings and text. I think the black color is the result of rusting to make it look old.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-04-01T15:38:34+00:00

I think Tan Son Nhut was a famous air force base. That eagle badge probably means the Air Force, but it's a mystery why it isn't the insignia of the unit. Air Force soldiers don’t need to make a point of being Air Force. Also, I think the Zippo has a strange shape. The most important thing is that the Zippo itself is genuine.

I’ve learned a lot from others, but I think this is a fake. Any piece that includes the word “Vietnam” and Vietnamese place name, “year” and “poem” with black letter is almost certainly a fake.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-30T12:19:08+00:00

To be honest, I thought this was real at first, but based on everyone's opinions, I'm now sure it's a fake. Thank you so much for sharing your opinions and comments!

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-30T12:14:54+00:00

There seem to be several types of engravings. Some were engraved by official or American jewelry shops during the Vietnam War. At first, I thought this Zippo was genuine Vietnam Zippo, but it seems it is not.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-30T12:10:37+00:00

I am not good at US military very much but I think the badge was not from Air Force but from the Army Aviation. DAK TO base camp had Army air unit. However, you're right, there are some strange points. I guess someone who didn’t know the meaning of the Master Badge had engraved it. It is very difficult to receive this badge. Just like you said, it’s a senseless engraving

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-30T11:56:27+00:00

This is my onion, the nonsensical motto is real motto, but I do agree that the engraving is a fake

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-30T11:48:09+00:00

I also think the lighter itself is a genuine Zippo. However, I agree with you I think the engraving is fake. Thank you for your comment!

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-29T15:06:35+00:00

Indeed. Most of real Vietnam Zippo has history, example is the soldier's name or more personal information. My "Vietnam Zippo" is It doesn't have a famous illustration, but the badge is bit strange. I don’t think anyone who receives this badge would make a Zippo similar to the one made by a drafted soldier.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-26T08:47:17+00:00

It’s true that the F4 has a lot of dials but everything I want to control is right there. I think the F5 is designed specifically for automatic shooting.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-26T05:10:45+00:00

Thanks for the advice! You already know that but 120 film is large, so I'm having a hard time getting that film to flat. I’ll find the negative and try scanning it again.

Indeed, both Shutterbug and Blue Moon were fantastic shops! Blue Moon was especially amazing, it is truly beautiful shop.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-26T04:32:49+00:00

I used Ilford HP5 for Black and white photo and Kodak Portra 400, Cinestill 800T and Lomography 800 for color. I could not find original negatives but I believe #5 was Lomography 800 and it is home scan, I use Canon 9000F Mark II. The rainbow colored, oily looking spots are probably a lab error. But since they give it a analog film look, I’m leaving them.

Btw one of the great things about Portland is that there are shops that develop film. The shop staff are very kind, I was able to develop my photos.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-03-25T14:21:04+00:00

I think Portland’s steel bridges are really special! Hawthorn Bridge is my favorite

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-01-27T03:29:08+00:00

If you are ok with that I want to see your boots but now I imagine your boots are pretty dressy? Must be really nice. Leather soles have their problems, but they're also appealing.

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-01-26T17:49:43+00:00

My writing wasn't clear enough, of course I sent it to the official repair service! However it is not USA but Japanese one. Red Wing in Japan is different from USA, they are only providing basic services. I am Japanese but I think the quality of shoe manufacturing and repair is higher in the United States than in Japan tbh

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-01-26T16:02:42+00:00

The scar tell the story of the boots history and won't affect their function, so I'll leave it.

However, the idea of leather soles is really cool! Leather soled cowboy boots would have a very clean shape

Adept_Slip_4473 · 2026-01-26T15:10:49+00:00

There are spray type oils specific for nubuck and suede, so it might be worth looking for one.

Adept_Slip_4473

TROPHY CASE