Pipe Lighters?

nitemair13 · May 25, 2018

Anybody have some recommendations on pipe lighters? I prefer to use a math since that's the old fashioned way of lighting a pipe but when you're outside and it's windy, a match doesn't work.
I've seen some online but the reviews are confusing. I tried one that was supposed to be good, it shot out a 7 inch flame and then stopped working.

ignaciojn · May 25, 2018

I've been doing some research on lighters, and the IM Corona Old Boy seems like a good choice. Bought one yesterday, in fact. Sadly, it's an international shipping, so I'll have to wait at least a month.
If you don't want to invest that much, any soft flame butane lighter will do, ie BIC.
I can't recommend a Zippo. Even with Zippo fluid, you can taste it.

nitemair13 · May 25, 2018

Yeah I've seen the Corona Old Boys and I can't afford that much for a lighter lol. I'd love to have one but yikes.
I've been using a BIC lighter, sometimes with the RAW hemp wick sort of lights like a candle but you can been the wick to fit into the bowl. Normally though I've just used a BIC and tried to avoid lighting my thumb on fire.

ignaciojn · May 25, 2018

Yes, I hear you.

Currently I'm using a cheap Honest pipe lighter. It's not perfect (a charge doesn't last for long, and sometimes it won't light on first try), but it wont burn your thumb.

nitemair13 · May 25, 2018

Yeah, the burning thumb is really annoying. Although if my father is with me he usually yells "Flame on!" like I'm the human torch or something.

spartan99 · May 25, 2018

I've had good luck with Jetline angled flame lighters. They're also relatively inexpensive. The biggest downside I've found is their very small reservoir. Xikar makes a lighter in this style called the Resource. It's more stylish, more substantial in the hand, and holds a respectable amount of fuel. It's also twice the price of the Jetlines.

craiginthecorn · May 25, 2018

Old Boy is great inside, but not out. The best bets are a Zippo or vintage Nimrod, which are lighter fluid based, or a cheap butane right angle lighter, like a this JetLine. I also like the disposable Linse Lighters, which are available on eBay and Iwan Ries (about $1-$3, depending upon order quantity). None are perfect. The lighter fluid based lighters evaporate fuel very fast. The Jetline might not be that reliable, but I've had mine for a couple years and it has been solid, but I use it infrequently, mostly because I have a lot of lighters laying around.

lordofthepiperings · May 25, 2018

I know people that swear by DJeep lighters.
I like the class and traditional look of the Old Boy lighters. IM Corona has some around $110 and Kiribi I think has some down around $80. I found a Vector one a while back for around $30 I think. I’ve used them outside and in a brisk wind yeah they can be trouble to relight the pipe.
Jon David from the Country Squire swears by matches. If he’s outside it’s a Zippo if he’s inside it’s matches only.

craiginthecorn · May 25, 2018

Jon David from the Country Squire swears by matches. If he’s outside it’s a Zippo if he’s inside it’s matches only.

Sound advice from a nice fellow.

npod · May 25, 2018

I agree with matches. In the past year the biggest change to my pipe ritual has been using matches as much as possible.
However, I LOVE my Xikar Scribe lighters! They are very friendly on the rims of the pipes and you can adjust the flame to any level desired. I have two of them now and use them all the time.

Chasing Embers · May 25, 2018

I've been doing some research on lighters, and the IM Corona Old Boy seems like a good choice.

Just don't drop it.

I can't recommend a Zippo. Even with Zippo fluid, you can taste it.

Never have.

vintage Nimrod

Yep.

sablebrush52 · May 25, 2018

Mostly I just use a BIC, or matches. S. T. Dupont makes a nice lighter.

panamacharlie · May 25, 2018

I don't sweat it, just use whatever is handy. I have Bics all over the place, cost less than 50 cents. I always carry a Zippo, great outdoors. On my smoking table in the TV room is a charcoal lighter with a flexible long snout.

bassbug · May 25, 2018

Everyone has their preferred flame source
For me, its whatever is closest when I'm indoors. Zippo, Bic, matches. Outdoors, its always a Zippo, I just can't deal with the wind any other way.

mikethompson · May 25, 2018

I use a Zippo, and yes there are some evap issues, especially if you pipe 3 or 4 times a month like I do. I've heard of coating the inner insert with petroleum jelly helps this.

irishearl · May 25, 2018

Well, let's put it this way, many years ago I discovered there was such a thing as pipe discussion boards when I was googling to find out why I have no luck with lighters. :D Lighters may be purty but reliability-wise, wooden matches can't be beat.

carolinachurchwarden · May 25, 2018

Take your pick but I generally stick to matches myself at all times. You'll most likely find me outside my office, standing in a corner, cussing like a sailor after firing 3 matches most days, when I step outside. Even when there's hardly any wind, so I'm in the market for one myself. I really do like the concept of these:

The first of which I discovered in a Tinder Box in Durham, but they were fetching about $65 easy. Might pick one of these up myself off Amazon at some point, just because I like the idea that I can pack my bowl, step outside and have everything with me I need with just my pipe and lighter.

nitemair13 · May 25, 2018

I've been looking at those as well. I saw a butane soft flame lighter in the style of the Old Boy but made by Mr. Brog. It comes with a built in tamper but the reviews are mixed, but then again every lighter I've seen has mixed reviews.
I may try one off Amazon, at least one I know can be returned if it doesn't work or I don't like it. I'd love to use matches all the time but there's always a breeze it seems and the lady of the house does not like me to smoke indoors.

carolinachurchwarden · May 25, 2018

the lady of the house does not like me to smoke indoors.

Mine would probably not have a problem with it at all, but I choose not to personally. I don't plan to live in the house I own right now forever and would like to sell it one day. I've done a lot of remodel work in my life and know all too well the effects smoking indoors can have on a house. It soaks into the paint, carpets, pretty much everywhere, so I try to keep it all outside all the time just for that reason. Won't really be a nice selling point if you walk in and smell smoke, even if it's very slight.

bnichols23 · May 25, 2018

I hear plasma jet lighters are good but I haven't bought one (yet). BICs are OK if you're careful of your thumb.

At the moment I've got a nice inexpensive black Imco that's gotten knocked around, beaten around, & GOK what-all else & keeps on ticking, & that's good enough for me.
Zippo or Nimrod? Well, let's put it this way -- light my pipe with charcoal starter? "I don't think so, Tim." :crazy:

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