Dillema With Rim Plateau on a Very Nice Pipe

[matchstickman]

So I got two FLN pipes some months ago and have been working on breaking one in, but I have found a slight dillema; the pipe has a plateau rim, which looks gorgeous. The whole pipe is gorgeous and it is super high quality briar, but the problem is that the rim is carved higher in some spots than it is in others, particularly, the rim happens to sit up quite a bit higher on the right hand side of the pipe than it does on the left. Why is this a problem? Well, this is normally right where I happen to rest my match or my lighter when lighting my pipe, and keeping my flame source on this higher spot results in an extremely uneven light. The tobacco on the left side of the bowl is just fine while the tobacco on the right side doesnt see any flame. This makes it a real pain in the ass to light evenly. Matches dont give me a good light, and using a butane forces me to wrench my hand and my wrist in a way that is really uncomfortable and causes me to burn my thumb. Ive even used my angled flame lighter without much luck. Its gotten to the point that the last 1/3 of the bowl is pretty much impossible for me to light. Can anyone think of a creative solution to this problem? Anyone have a pipe that has a plateau rim that is a pain in the ass to light? I really love the way the pipe looks and on the rare occasion I can get it to light properly, it is a very fine smoking pipe, so I hate to give up on it, but Im starting to reach for it less and less.
As an edit, I suppose I should also mention I am right handed, and I tried lighting the pipe with my left hand the other day. The results were not pleasant to say the least.

 

[pstlpkr]

As for using your left hand to light the pipe....
"How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" Practice, practice, practice.
You may find that the easy way isn't the right way.... it's the left.

::

 

[tjameson]

Ever seen one of those BBQ lighters with a flexible neck? That may be a solution. Other than that maybe try holding your Bic so that the roller is struck with the inside of your thumb this might help keep the flame away from your thumb when lighting. Sunny day try a magnifying glass. Soldering iron. Heat a glass or ceramic rod and use it to light your pipe. A Pygmy dragon sounds like the best solution hands down.

 

[matchstickman]

Sunny day try a magnifying glass. Soldering iron. Heat a glass or ceramic rod and use it to light your pipe. A Pygmy dragon sounds like the best solution hands down.

I was starting to think tiki torch, but I like the way youre thinking. :rofl:
It sounds like, according to Roth, I'm not the only one who has this problem. I thought about looking for one of those BBQ lighters with the flexible neck, but the problem is that most of them have a torch flame, which as we know is a no-no. The only other alternative I can think of is hemp wick, but I havent tried it yet. Anyone every try hemp wick and have any liuck with it?

 

[tjameson]

I've used a hemp wick before and they work pretty well another option is a vaporizer stick, basically an electronic powered ceramic heating element (they can be very expensive, $150ish). A cordless butane powered soldering iron might be a cheaper route, but I'm not sure of the temp they put out. You could probably modify one so the tip isn't just a point, but rather a flatter disk shape to distribute the heat more evenly.

In other news if you can find one of these it would be cool to have even if it doesn't work anymore.
Flameless Pipe Lighter

 

[tjameson]

I'd rather over think something than just to accept "it's just the way it is."

 

[loneredtree]

Hold on Gentlemen. Why not use a symmetrical flame like the Zippo pipe lighter with or without the butane insert. Or, the nimrod commander. You don't have to shoot the flame over the right hand rim that way. :crazy: ::

 

[tjameson]

You could also pack using the air pocket method so you don't even have to worry about the bottom of the bowl.

 

[tjameson]

Loneredtree that's too logical, it'll never work :rofl:

 

[philobeddoe]

I don't want to sound like a lunatic or a escapee from the asylum but..... You could consider moving your hand in a circular motion around the inside of the bowl and not simply resting the match on one side. Also you could try longer matches.

 

[igloo]

See what happens when you buy pretty pipes .lmao

 

[foggymountain]

Got some wood working tools? Trim it!

 

[locopony]

Ever seen those little cedar planks they use to light a cigar. Or even long matches for lighting a furnace.

 

[allan]

I'm with foggy on hs one
Just trim the pipe
Better than being constantly frustrated

 

[dragonslayer]

The couch signals from the dugout -- yep, he's calling in for the lefty. :wink: