I find that while "fire is fire", for some reason different lighters do light a pipe differently, and I may get varying results. I think it has to do with the depth that the flame is drawn to and through the tobacco, each device providing a little difference if the draw is the same. Varying draw to the lighting device can therefore be a thing for me. Sometimes less is more... Perhaps you drew more delicately with the match and it lit better from the beginning...
All Flames Equal?
- Thread starter BriarsAndBottles
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Agree to disagree at the end of the day a fire is a fire, when you look at the very basics of it, not taking into account "pipe nozzle" on this lighter or nimrod that. I also don't consider a "torch" lighter just fire because obviously the flame is very different than a bic, or a match, or a zippo, etc. =D
Edit a soft flame is a soft flame
Nothing lights a pipe better than a match. Swan Vesta for preference.
In the realm of lighting a pipe, fire is essentially fire. It’s contained and used with purpose.
Everywhere else, fire is not fire.
Everywhere else, fire is not fire.
All sources of fire can be used to light a pipe, Adjust the heat [BTUs] by moving closer or further away, adjust by time as well.
Have you seen a white gas burner blowing up? It starts with flare up and it literally goes "BOOM!!!". Nope, I ain't putting white gas in my Zippo.
I haven't considered different fuel for the flame. Wonder if methane flame is different from butane flame. Anyone have a cow they can test this on? Just light the cow fart.
Soft flame is soft flame. You may get smells but staying lit longer is technique.
White gas and Zippo fuel are both petroleum naphtha based.
Once a pipe is lit, there's no residual magic from the lighter.
That said, I bought an Old Boy around Christmas, and it is really difficult to describe just how perfect it is. I can talk about how nice it is to have the flame on for as long as the cap is open, how it lights every time, how it cleans up with a quick wipe, how nicely the flame adjusts, etc. But you have to experience the flame. The flame is a perfect size and softness for directing it exactly where you want it inside the bowl.
The downside of an Old Boy is if there is a slight breeze or someone talking or a butterfly flapping or a gnat farting, you'll lose the flame. In that case, I use a $3 Bic EZ-Reach or my zippo.
That said, I bought an Old Boy around Christmas, and it is really difficult to describe just how perfect it is. I can talk about how nice it is to have the flame on for as long as the cap is open, how it lights every time, how it cleans up with a quick wipe, how nicely the flame adjusts, etc. But you have to experience the flame. The flame is a perfect size and softness for directing it exactly where you want it inside the bowl.
The downside of an Old Boy is if there is a slight breeze or someone talking or a butterfly flapping or a gnat farting, you'll lose the flame. In that case, I use a $3 Bic EZ-Reach or my zippo.
If you torch it you're heating up the tobacco to high temp so yeah flames are different. But soft flames a soft flame for the most part. Some people think they taste lighter fluid and like butane, some like the taste of a match. Just personal opinion.
I use a Bic, or my butane side strike lighter. I'm thinking about getting a Nimrod though. I just use what ever I like to look at. But I avoid torches.
I use a Bic, or my butane side strike lighter. I'm thinking about getting a Nimrod though. I just use what ever I like to look at. But I avoid torches.
@Chasing Embers, this is a great tip! My only complaint with the zippo was the fuel taste
Torch lighters are too hot, and will char the bowl. Do not use unless you have no concern for the pipe. I have become a Zippo stan. They light outdoors in wind where a vast majority of us smoke. Bic and butane soft flames may be the best in theory, but I find that when I light the pipe it is not exactly level and I end up burning the stem side as I light the pipe. Maybe I am not very coordinated, but people trust me to remove vital organs for a living so I doubt that I am alone in this. A Zippo with pipe insert works every single time flawlessly. If the taste of the fuel bothers you, then I got nothing....
I find that I have noticed a taste with Zippo fluid also. I’m disliking this more and more. It sucks because I love my Zippos.
@Chasing Embers so your telling me that you can use Colman camp fuel in a zippo? You say it doesn’t have a smell but what about taste?
Although I was born in '72, I love that times. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video, dear friend simong.
