Thrifted Evans lighter - unidentified
I recently bought this evans naphta lighter for 5CAD at a local thrift store. I was unable to identify an exact model and am not familiar with evans, but I believe this one to be from the 1950's. If anyone more familiar with these could pount me in a better direction I would appreciate it.
The flint was completely powderized yet very stuck. I had to use a small drill bit to get most of it out before switching to something that would be gentle to the spark wheel. There was flint caked all over that too, no doubt people tried it many times in the store. I also had to stretch the flint spring to add more force, I would not get a reliable spark otherwise. I believe this is due to harder modern flints, I will have to look at softer flints for vintage lighters.
The original cotton and wick were in great shape, I pulled the wick up a little and trimmed it since I had moderately ruined it when fleaning the flint wheel.
I cleaned it with isopropil alcohol to disinfect it and clean human skin residue on the lighter, but did nothing more to clean it.
I am very happy with the new member of the collection.
TLDR; I found a cheap old lighter at a thrift store, it works now.