A Lighter That Isn't Useless?

[beerandbaccy]

I have used a sub £1 pipe lighter for a year from atomic and not let me down yet!

 

[briarcudgel]

Zippo with fuel pipe insert, and for indoor use I like a butane fireplace starter. A BIC burns my thumb too often so I avoid them. Wooden matches are great too. The Linse lighter looks promising and I'll probably order a bunch.

 

[jpmcwjr]

A BIC burns my thumb too often so I avoid them.

May I suggest using the index finger?

 

[fitzy]

I bought a Kiribi Kabuto for my birthday and I love it.
Just make sure you use good butane and not the cheap ronco crap.
I've got a Djeep and matches for backup.

 

[fordm60]

Another vote for Zippo with pipe insert. I usually get quite a few days (never had reason to count how many days) before having to refill it. I also keep the wick very short which may help with fluid evaporation. I smoke a pipe every minute I can lol. So my Zippo gets plenty of use.

 

[bobpnm]

I can't see any reason not to use one of my Zippos. The pipe inserts work great for me. And horror of horrors, I often just use a regular Zippo. Couple of drops of fluid in the morning and I'm good all day. I've heard from people their concern about tasting lighter fluid. Maybe I like the taste of Zippo fluid in the morning! :}

 

[jerwynn]

I continue in my lighter-evangelism for the Zippo Candle lighter!

I have been using it as a pipe lighter almost exclusively for the better part of this year... in all temperatures, wind conditions, and weather. The last time I waxed eloquently about these, one fellow discounted them by virtue of there being "no wind shield". Shape, length, and concept work at all angles. Last night, I sat on the back porch through several subsequent thunderstorms, happily and calmly smoking my pipe. The Zippo Candle Lighter never wavered, never failed.
And it's only $12-$14 or so most places.
Oh... and the one I'm using is at least 10 years old.

 

[lotharen]

I just bought the pipe zippo today. Loaded it up with lighter fluid and took it out for a spin.
Worked beautiful! Nice even light, was easy to use and no lighter fluid taste. Very happy with this purchase.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I've been collecting Zippos for about 15 years. When I got in to smoking pipes I got one of the pipe zippos and got along fine with it.

Recently got a Kiribi Kabuto in black nickel..looks lovely and works like a charm.

I never knew a butane lighter could produce such a soft flame!

Once you get used to the way it handles it's a joy to use.
Now..what am I going to do with all these Zippos...

 

[warren]

Hang on to them for when the butane thingy goes south would be my suggestion.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Haha yeah they aren't going anywhere. Love my zips.

 

[weedsnager]

Zippo with a Thunderbird pipe insert. You get the best of both worlds. An absolute revelation when I first got mine and I still love it.

That what I use
https://www.amazon.com/Butane-Lighter-Insert-Flip-top-Lighters/dp/B003IRLBUA

 

[hmhaines]

Against wind, my favorite so far has been an old Nimrod Commander. The Commander is a bit heavier built than the Sportsman. It may not look/be as cool as the Sportsman, but it still rocks. Plus, you know, vintage Americana.

 

[mrwestminster]

I was on this quest for what felt like a long, long time. I finally came to my senses and got the IM Corona.

Living in Europe, I had to pay EVEN MORE for the Old Boy (around $130 with shipping) but I love that lighter. Before that, I was using Djeep as well and sometimes still do. It somehow feels like wearing dress shoes with a jumpsuit, using the Old Boy on a cob.

 

[hmhaines]

Just sold my Nimrod Sportsman. Thinking about putting some of the money on an old boy. Worried about service life and future repairs, though. When the cheap stuff has a warranty and the expensive stuff doesn't, I get nervous about buying the good things. What if I have one that's a little off and it dies too soon? Oi. Consumerism sucks.

 

[styler]

If you smoke indoors a BIC or a match works fine. Anything more expensive is pure vanity.

You could say the same about pipes. 'Anything more than a corn cob is pure vanity'.
I've recently bought the z-pipe soft flame insert and it seems to be holding out ok after a couple of weeks. If it breaks I'll just go back to the standard zippo pipe insert. I actually don't mind the slight taste of fuel when lighting.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Pure vanity is hard to pin down! Expressing strong opinions that put others down is a form of vanity. Sneering at those who don't cut their own wood to heat their houses is a form of vanity. Didn't some poet or playwright pen that "All is vanity?"
Vainly yours,
John

 

[irishearl]

I love the idea of a lighter, the reality not so much. Years ago it was my frustrations with buying lighters only to have them all die within a year that led me to search online for answers and in the process discovered the existence of pipe discussion forums. Gave up on lighters and stuck with my wooden kitchen matches since then. Don't smoke outside, except for cigars anyway.

 

[shutterbugg]

Zippos rarely break, and if they do the factory will repair or replace it for free, well, it'll cost you a few bucks to drop it in a little padded envelope and stick it in the mailbox.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

I still am not nuts about my Zippo.
I got one of the Peterson Old Boy style lighters from a fella on here, and I enjoy that quite a bit. It's really well made and lights basically every time. Even in moderate wind, it does ok.
I've decided piezo ignition is just always going to disappoint. Flint wheel it must be.