A Match or a Lighter?

[jpmcwjr]

I prefer using a match over a lighter but there are some obvious issues when using a match, especially out doors.

I was just wondering what your preference is? I always think lighting a pipe with a lighter makes me feel like a low rent crack head or something.

I appreciate that this all about personal choice and whatever works for you is good; I’m just interested.

Get a nice Old Boy, and you're no long a crackhead.

I prefer refillable butane lighters, but also use BiC and matches, and a Zippo if very windy.

 

[Honkytonk Man]

I use a lighter, but if I could buy matches, particularly Swan Vestas, I'd use them.
For some bizarre reason the Korean Gov't banned the sale of matches in stores. I wasn't aware of this little detail, until we visited some relatives for a Korean holiday gathering, where they hosts had a box of safety matches that were apparently 20 years old.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

Zippo with a pipe insert. Works well.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

Zippo pipe lighter most of the time. Occasionally a Bic, sometimes matches.

 

[anotherbob]

Zippo pipe lighter most of the time. Occasionally a Bic, sometimes matches.

actually kind of disappointed you didn't say you just use flint and black powder to light your pipes. You know with the name and all that.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I forgot to add there's no need to choose one over the other; many ways to light, and some use 3-4 methods.

 

[Michigan_Bill]

I forgot to add there's no need to choose one over the other; many ways to light, and some use 3-4 methods.

Sometimes even at the same time! ?

 

[MidnightPuff]

I respect the match but use a lighter way more. It helps to get the burley in me faster.

 

[leonardbill1]

Lighter. Easier, at least for me.

 

[jaytex1969]

Exclusively butane here.

I think, maybe it's the butane I'm addicted to rather than the tobacco..... ?

 

[vosBghos]

Easier to ask then look-up old movies. Aside from cupping the hand around the flame, what technique did he/you use? I was fussing around w/matches yesterday in the breeze and went inside to get a lighter… ha.

I’ve seen guys hold a match between their first and second digits of their first and second fingers with the flame on the inside of the hand and cup it over the bowl dropping the match right in so as to block the wind with the rest of the hand with the unused thumb to cover wind from that side very impressed with this technique…

 

[The Clay King]

A blacksmith's forge is the best

 

[The Clay King]

Either I suppose. Whichever is handy. I learned to shield flame from wind when I started smoking back in early sixties. It appears to be something not taught to youngsters any longer.

@warren Dad says when I went to see the Sealed Knot I spent all day trying to light my clay pipe as it was so windy

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

a bowl always tastes better with a match...

Agreed. ??

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

I use a match to get it going. Then relights are done with a lighter. I know, I know. There had to be that ONE guy with the smart-bottomed answer! But for real, that’s what I do.

I do this when the blend is a known relight monster - RB Plug for example.

 

[The Clay King]

a bowl always tastes better with a match...


Agreed. ??

@Franco Pipenbeans A blacksmith's forge ? is the best

 

[Swampfox]

Zippo with pipe insert usually because it’s alway on me. I do prefer matches though and use them on the patio when I smoke (no smoking in the house). My matches are also great at hide and seek. One more thing, other than shielding, using two matches at a time really helps.

 

[Sgetz]

I realise this is heretical but I initially light with a torch lighter and after use a bic long neck. Been trying this for a while. Still not sure if it will stay. But so far very good.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

@Franco Pipenbeans A blacksmith's forge ? is the best

Ok, HalfDan, I’ll rephrase the question: how does the blacksmith prefer to light his forge? Match’s or a lighter? ?

 

[blackpowderpiper]

actually kind of disappointed you didn't say you just use flint and black powder to light your pipes. You know with the name and all that.

Good one brother. I am a black powder enthusiast and am capable of making fire with flint and steel. It's actually a fun activity and learning experience to do with kids to show them how our forefathers had to make fire. There have been a couple times while out in the woods when I forgot my modern day lighter and had to use flint and steel to make a very small fire from which to light my pipe. You do what you got to do buddy.