Copper flashlight vs. Brass

LED Flashlights – General Info 1 x AAA Flashlights
1

I’ve been looking at small brass/copper, AAA lights lately. Not that I really need another light, but a small keychain size light can often come in handy. I really like the looks of the copper lights, but brass is also nice.
The ones I’ve narrowed it down to, are the Maratac AAA REV 3, or the Prometheus QRv2, with the Lumitop tool rounding out the best 3 I’ve found. Of course, I’m not ruling out any other possible contenders. Performance wise, these lights are’nt that close. but they all bring something to the table. Like all flaslight choices, it’s hard to decide unless they’re all sitting right in front of me. I’m hoping that someone can help thin the list a bit.
Luckily, as I’ve said I don’t really “need” a small keychain light, as I already have a Thrunite Ti3. I’ts really all about the cool factor of the patina that a copper or brass light gets. So now, in no particular order, it’s about.

1. Scratch resistance, of the two materials.
I’m not a fan of scratch resistant coatings, since over time, they tend to wear off. So the raw metal, is what we’re considering.

2. Size to power ratio.
Because it does have to earn its keep, it’ll need to be as powerful as possible. But small is always good for the pocket.

3. Price.
Since I don’t want to have a light that’s “too expensive to lose”. And therefore be discouraged from carrying it at all. this policy has served me well for pocket knives.

4. Quality/reliability.
Probably as important as it gets when buying for the cool factor. The last keychain light that I had, dangled and bumped against my leg. This went on until I noticed that the head un-screwed, and the whole thing hit the ground, and was destroyed.
Fortunately it was an inexpensive light.

There could be several more considerations, that could influence the final decision. but lets go with these for now. If anyone happens to have one or more of these lights, or something different altogether, I’d be interested in your input. A side by side comparison would likely be too much to expect, but there seems to be very little in the way of reviews for at least one of these lights. the others don’t have any in depth reviews, only lumens test, and fit/finish type stuff. Which is helpful, but only goes just so far. So any experience, good or bad, is appreciated.

2

I carry a copper Maratac AAA (Rev 2). I switch between that and a Thrunite Ti (basically the same light), also have Maratacs in stainless and Ti, that I have never carried… I have a Tool in copper. I’ll throw a vote in for the Maratac. It is a great little light. I carry mine in my change pocket. The tool is a bit bigger than the Maratac, but if you’d prefer a clicky, that is also a great light. I would however count out the Prometheus, no matter how awesome it is (I like them too) but it is $80. I’d watch mass drop for the Maratac if you aren’t in a hurry, as the shipping from County Comm sucks. I don’t own any brass lights, but I love the way the uncoated copper changes with use.

The only thing I have found to unseat the Maratac and Thrunite is my DQG Tiny AAA Ti… and as soon as I get the replacement clips I ordered (I lost mine somehow, luckily didn’t lose the light) that will most likely be kicking the Maratac out again.

3

Thank you for the response. I know that I can get better performance, in every category, with any of several lights. I love the copper also, especially after the patina sets in. Or shiny also, it’s all good. But copper being a softer metal, I have to wonder how it holds up to the rigors of time and abuse. How are your copper lights holding up, as far as scratches go?

4

Copper is soft. It scratches. If you want a light to stay looking new then don’t buy copper. It doesn’t effect their performance though, and they’ll still last a very very long time. And honestly I think worn copper looks better than worn anodized aluminum, so there’s that to consider. If you want a light to stay looking pristine forever you’ve basically gotta leave it on the shelf. Or maybe go with steel.

This thread is useless without pics so here’s my small copper lights.

5

Nice lineup! And you make a good point, about the worn copper vs. aluminum. But what about worn copper vs. worn brass?

6

Not much difference, both can be polished fairly easily. Brass is tougher but will still scratch.

7

Copper is superior at higher current levels, just another thing to consider.

8

After giving it some thought. I think I’ll try the copper. I can always pick up a brass light if that doesn’t work out. Thanks for the input, as well as the pictures!

9

I don’t have any brass flashlight yet, but I have a 20+ year old brass Zippo in this photo as comparison.

I believed the Kronos X5 Cu is coated with some kind of material that will eventually rubbed off, hence no patina yet while the raw Maratac Cu is only about 2 months old.

10

I had the Maratac copper AAA on my keychain for two years, rubbing and banging against the keys, and it still looks and works great. Now that small copper Cooyoo has replaced it, thinner built but it holds up fine too.

11

Copper vs Brass few days of use:

12

I really like that olight. I’ll have to check into those!

13

I have a personal preference …. and many more still sealed in foil.



14

You guys are killing me lol! I haven’t even finish looking up the olight posted by trevilux. I’m really liking all these lights.

15

UltraTac have one brass compatible with 10440 (officially compatible) a great light: K18

16

I don’t like the way copper tarnishes so quickly, but others really like that aspect of copper. If you want a light that looks new, don’t get copper. If you want a light that looks antique, then copper is really good for that.

17

The oxidation in the knurling is the only part of the copper that I don’t really like that much. Everywhere that gets rubbed off, it looks great. I like the antique look. But I know for a fact, that I’ll never polish a flashlight lol! So it’s either I get a light that doesn’t have any knurling, or brass.

18

Oh, one other thing: copper reacts with oils in your skin, and can sometimes smell a little bad or odd. This doesn’t appear to happen with most other metals or alloys. I’m not sure about brass. Brass is an alloy of copper, so it wouldn’t surprise me if it also smells.

19

Timbo, what is the first light in this pic??

20

Body is a custom fivemega tube from CPF
Head is a Cryos cooling head.
Tail cap is by Ronac, with McClicky
Also has a solid copper drop in by nailbender from CPF
Total cost was $$$
VERY heavy - been stored in my gun safe from day 1.
Could be for sale.