All Flames Equal?

[BriarsAndBottles]

I usually use a bic type lighter and usually don’t have issues but noticed lately that as the flame got smaller I had to use more relights. Now that the ones I have are dead, I used a match and got a much longer smoke before needing another. Could have been the tobacco pipe combo, but was wondering if different flame types prompted different performance.

 

[AJL67]

Fire is fire

 

[LuckyGlenn]

I wouldn't use a torch lighter on my nicer pipes.

 

[warren99]

I never use a torch lighter on any of my pipes—only cigars. I borrowed someone’s lighter once to light my pipe, not realizing it was a torch. It scorched the hell out of the rim immediately..

 

[dog_park_piper]

I use an Ol Boy Corona if it is not windy and if I'm at the top of a bowl. Later, I start using a Bic lighter with an e XD tended tip to get to the bottom tobacco better.

Zippos are always around me too.

 

[verporchting]

Never a torch. Matches are preferred (by me ) but any butane soft flame lighter will work - especially for relights. Zippos work great outdoors but usually you get a taste of lighter fluid for a while after lighting. Dedicated pipe lighters like the Corona Oldboy are a nice luxury and work great but you absolutely don’t “need” one.

I love a good box of wooden stick matches and that’s my preference for the initial light. Thereafter (especially if I’m on the go or outside) I just carry a Bic or Djeep butane lighter in my pocket. Sometimes if I’m indoors and smoking a notoriously hard to keep lit blend I really prefer my Xikar Oldboy style lighter but rarely carry it outside (I lose things ).

Hope that helps?

 

[bullet08]

Flame is equal. But delivery devices are different. Bic actually has pretty good pressure from it. Too close or too long a contact can char the ream. As the pressure drops, the flame is smaller and the coverage area becomes smaller. Match has soft flame, and it can't direct the flame like pressurized butane lighters. But soon after the match is lit, it creates good size flame alon the matchstick giving good coverage. Zippo on the other hand is also soft flame and gives good coverage and never needs to be struck against anything. But needs fuel refilled occasionally.

 

[proteus]

Unless your torch welding and need a oxidizing or carbuerizing flame, fighting Nazis in WW2 with a flamethrower, making creme brulee or fixing your plumbing, the only flame you need is a soft yellow flame from any source. Never use those blue flame jet lighters. To light cigars and tobacco pipes I've used char cloth and a flint and steel - not technically a yellow soft flame but it works - a tightly wrapped piece of paper, a zippo, a homemade kerosene lighter, a bic, an old boy, strike anywhere matches, wood sticks, candle lighters and the match books you used to get from the IGA. Everything works the same.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A Beattie jet lighter is the only safe "torch" for a pipe.

 

[Sobrbiker]

Djeeps work for me, especially since bics did away with the adjustment.
Can’t abide carrying a zippo and am too cheap to buy fancy lighters (I still need more tobacco/pipes/jars)

 

[Chasing Embers]

Can’t abide carrying a zippo

?

 

[Sobrbiker]

?

I carried one for years as a cig smoker in a belt pouch, and ever since I quit smoking them I’m not a fan of the fuel.
And I’m trying to cutdown on the “Batman belt”.
Quite happy with a golf tee and a djeep either in my shirt or safety vest pocket since I smoke outdoors.
Now if I smoked inside, I could probably do one of these next to my easy chair:

 

[Chasing Embers]

ever since I quit smoking them I’m not a fan of the fuel.

If it's for the smell, Coleman fuel is nearly scentless.

 

[Chasing Embers]

And I’m trying to cutdown on the “Batman belt”.

I just carry my lighters in my watch pocket.

 

[JOHN72]

The only thing I would not use would be a blowtorch flame, otherwise, fire is fire, it can give you some initial aftertaste, for example with a zippo because of the fuel. I wouldn't pay too much attention or concern.

 

[JOHN72]

Fire is fire

Same.........

 

[lukasstrifeson]

Fire is fire

Would have to disagree with this.

Different fire options have different pros and cons:

I much prefer the nimble maneuverability of a match but its no good outside when it's windy. The Zippo pipe insert is a lovely alternative.

 

[gervais]

I use my kiribi pipe lighter and a good ol' bic interchangeably. Bics offer bigger hotter flame for stubborn deep bowl relights, in my opinion

 

[Egg Shen]

I prefer a Rick Dalton style setup

 

[blackpowderpiper]

If it's for the smell, Coleman fuel is nearly scentless.

Coleman fuel? I have no issue with the regular zippo fluid but I have several cans of Coleman fuel. I was not aware I could use this, but then again, there's a lot of things I'm not aware of.