Creating something that doesn’t yet exist on the market is both exciting and humbling. This chainmail Zippo lighter case started as a simple experiment, but quickly turned into a deeper exploration of protection, retention, wear, and real everyday use.

After sharing early prototypes on Reddit, the community feedback helped shape the current direction of the product — and this post is a transparent look at what it is, what it isn’t, and where it’s going next.

The Core Idea: Chainmail as a Lighter Case

Traditional Zippo cases are usually rigid shells: leather, solid metal, or molded designs. I wanted to explore something different — a flexible, all-metal chainmail sleeve that wraps the lighter like armor.

The goal was not just aesthetics, but:

A tactile, medieval-inspired feel
Impact resistance without bulk
A case that moves with the user instead of fighting them

Some commenters joked it could double as a 14th-century flail — which honestly felt like a compliment.

Finish, Wear, and Scuffing Concerns

One of the most valid concerns raised was about scuffing the lighter’s finish, especially for painted or decorative Zippos.

Here’s the honest breakdown:

Bare brass & street chrome:

Natural wear is expected and often desirable. These finishes age beautifully and fit the chainmail aesthetic well.
Painted or coated Zippos:

Yes — heavy friction could damage painted designs over time.

Because of this, I explored:

A very thin internal leather liner to protect high-polish or painted finishes
Slightly rounded inner ring edges to reduce abrasion while keeping the case all-metal for those who prefer it

Importantly, many users felt that adding a liner would detract from the raw look — and I agree. That’s why this remains an optional direction, not the default.

Retention: Gravity vs Real-World Movement

Another great question was retention:

Is gravity alone enough to keep the lighter from sliding out?

Short answer: not always.

While gravity works when the lighter is vertical, real EDC use involves movement, impacts, and angles. Instead of adding friction across the entire interior (which could scuff finishes), I’m currently prototyping:

A subtle internal retention point near the top
Adjustments to the weave tension
Exploring draw-resistance concepts inspired by holsters — without going full drawstring

The goal is:

Secure during movement, easy to access, gentle on finishes.

Why Not a Drawstring?

A drawstring was suggested — and it’s a clever idea.

However, I intentionally avoided it because:

It breaks the clean, armored look
Adds a non-metal component externally
Changes how the case hangs and feels in hand

That said, it’s absolutely a valid future variant for users who prioritize maximum retention.

Handmade, Iterative, and Honest

This isn’t a mass-produced accessory. Each piece is:

Handmade ring by ring
Tested, worn, adjusted
Influenced directly by real feedback from the community

Some versions will stay raw and all-metal. Others may evolve with subtle protection features. The point is not perfection — it’s refinement through use.