For those who know the grind, laugh through the chaos, and keep on lighting up—this custom matte black Zippo-style lighter says it all. One side features a gold-etched design of a skeleton in a flight helmet sipping coffee, surrounded by the iconic phrase:
“Hang in there. It gets worse.”
The other side is yours to personalize. Add a name, rank, unit, dates, call sign, or inside joke—engraved in matching gold on the lid, the body, or both. Whether you're gifting a fellow sailor, celebrating the end of a deployment, or just marking your time with a little gallows humor, this lighter delivers.
Features:
Refillable Zippo-style flip-top lighter (fuel not included)
Durable matte black finish with gold engraving
Customizable back side — add your text to the lid, body, or both
Bold design with dark humor that hits home for military and vets
Great gift for Navy, Aircrew, mechanics, or salty souls everywhere
How to Customize:
At checkout, include what you’d like engraved on:
Lid (e.g., Rank & Last Name)
Body (e.g., Unit, Years Served, Inside Joke)
If no custom text is added, the back will be left blank.
Let me know if you want a version that's more serious, more casual, or suitable for an Etsy listing. I can also write short tags and search terms if you're listing it online.
You said:
Don't say zippo style, it's a real zippo
ChatGPT said:
Got it—thanks for the clarification! Here's the updated version with "real Zippo" language and a sharper, more accurate tone:
Title:
“Hang In There – It Gets Worse” Genuine Zippo® Lighter – Custom Engraving Available
Description:
A true piece of dark military humor, engraved on an authentic Zippo®. This matte black lighter features a gold-etched design of a skeletal aviator sipping coffee under the phrase:
“Hang in there. It gets worse.”
Perfectly capturing that “embrace the suck” attitude known all too well in the service.
The front stays as-is, but the back is yours to customize. Add a name, rank, unit, dates, or whatever salty sentiment you want—engraved in matching gold on the lid, the body, or both.
Whether you’re marking a deployment, gifting a shipmate, or just honoring the grind, this is a solid piece of gear that’ll last through the smoke and chaos.
Details:
Genuine Zippo® windproof lighter
Matte black finish with gold laser engraving
Front artwork: skeleton aircrew + “Hang in there. It gets worse.”
Back is fully customizable: lid, body, or both
Refillable (lighter fluid not included)
Ships in official Zippo box
Customization Instructions:
At checkout, specify:
Lid Engraving: (e.g. AZ2 SARMENTO)
Body Engraving: (e.g. U.S. NAVY – VP-45 – 2021–2026)
If no text is provided, the back will be left blank.