I Started With Matches

[newbroom]

I Started With Matches

The title, which doesn't appear in the thread once you begin to read it (except for my reprint) is not about the late Matches 860, although, I did visit his youtube site regularly while John was alive. I certainly didn't try to emulate his smoking cadence, but his general vibe was agreeable and what I considered to be a positive reinforcement of my new hobby.
When I first started smoking 'the pipe' and I do have one of those, but I am referring to the implement in this instance, not to the brand, I used wooden matches that I'd buy at the Dollar Store. I used Diamonds, and I used all types and sizes.

Learning to smoke a pipe while also learning not to inhale my nicotine resulted in piles of burnt matches and loads of wet dottle.
I became annoyed with the constant reminder of my indulgence and its nasty elements.
I started using a butane lighter.

I've used all sorts of butane lighters now, in the almost 11 yrs that I've had this pleasure, and I have opinions on their efficacy.
Bic's are by far the most reliable and easy to light. Crickets eventually give my thumb wear and tear that may actually involve tear.
Various jet style adjustable flame piezoelectric lighters which always wear out or fail due to my lack of maintenance knowledge.
I do use hemp wick in addition to whichever it is that I use to make fire. It conserves fuel, allows me a lingering and moderate flame, and adds nothing in the ash tray.

I've got one or two old fashioned fluid lighters that I never use, but I've been stuck using a bunch of Crickets lately, rather than throw them out, and my thumb is beat, so, today I am receiving a Zippo classic and will try that for awhile. I didn't see the need for the 'pipe' attachment? I've used zippos in my day and I've watched video of those with the attachment.

Not that much difference?

I guess I'll be looking into a butane modification though. At least that's an option if I find the old standard to be offensive.

 

[Pipeh]

Have you tried a Clipper? I think it isn't rough on my thumb, and it's refillable.

 

[newbroom]

I messed that up. I said Crickets when i am actually using Clippers which tear my thumb and callous it too.
I've had a pack of 9, and I've refilled a few of em.
Regular relights, initial lights and one hitter tokes have me looking for a more comfortable 'strike'.

 

[JoburgB2]

For decades my preference has been wooden matches. But if not indoors or semi-shielded from breezes, they are a bugger to stay lit long enough. I have a Zippo from 1984, but it is sometimes awkward on re-lights down in the bowl. For some reason I just didn’t like disposable butanes like Bic, etc. About a year or two ago, I bought a Kiribi Kenshi and I love it! It’s now the number one choice, especially here in windy, blustery along the sea. I miss my wooden matches Diamond or Ohio Blue Tip, or good old Lion from South Africa.

 

[seanv]

I switched my zippo to the butane insert and much prefer it. No smell and much better flame in my opinion. When smoking indoors I do use matches more than a lighter but I don’t bother with matches outside.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

My IM Coronas have the “softest strike” if that’s the criteria.

 

[SmokeyJock]

I got this disposable "matteo" pipe lighter from a local newsagents and it's lasted me 3 months so far with butane refills, button easier than a strike-wheel and flame comes out the side away from your thumb

 

[Woobijube]

I will second the idea of an IM Corona old boy. Once you get the hang of the mechanics, it is a one-stop-shop, all-inclusive lighter that is well made and reasonably durable. In the past, I have even wrapped mine with the hemp wick you mention to not only extend the fuel reserve but to reduce my tobacco exposure to butane. Additionally, if you keep an eye on the popular sites, you can snag a reasonably fair deal. For what it’s worth, the arabesque finish is visually and texturally fantastic.

 

[Zamora]

I tried matches when I first started but I soon just settled for a Bic EZ Lighter and that's what I've used ever since

 

[bullet08]

I started with matches. Not because they are practical, especially on the front porch, but because it's suggested as a better choice. After going through number of boxes of matches, I basically said "fuck this" and started using Bic. But I've noticed Bic can lightly char the ream in heavy wind. So started using Zippo. Normal Zippo works well, but pipe insert does it with a little more finesse.

 

[Sigmund]

If you want to go budget Ali Express sells a Dunhill/Old Boy copy. The brand is Jifeng. Im sure it has a plastic tank instead of metal but its 12 bucks. It has a built in tamper. Honestly its really not bad at all and I have a ligther fetish. Some members have used theirs (same item) for over a year since they dont want to carry and drop expensive lighters. I use Duponts in my office but this guy is my outside lighter.

If you get one change the flint to a zippo flint. The cheapo flints work but they are not as good. Use decent butane in any lighter. Cheap stuff doesnt light as reliably. At first I was using pezo cheap ligters and they took 2 clicks to light all the time. It imporved with good butane.

 

[newbroom]

One day in using my fluid fueled zippo. I watched stuff on youtube AFTER having loaded mine and fired it up.
So, all the suggestions about repacking the wick while the packing is dry went out the window.
Mine seems to light just fine.
I've noticed that after using Bic's and Clippers to either light my bowls or my wicks, using the Zippo requires some muscle memory change. I no longer have to fuel the light of the Zippo once it's lit. It may seem insignificant, but not having to keep your thumb down to maintain flame is somewhat liberating.
I enjoy the heft and nostalgia of having a Zippo in my hand. I got the Street Brass model. My God, there are as many Zippo renditions as there are used to be tobacco blends.

 

[BingBong]

Picked this up yesterday, £20. Piezo, butane, pipe flame, does the job. "Honest". Well, no lie, it's not pretending to be a Dupont.

 

[PaulRVA]

For dependable strike, ease of manipulation, maintenance and flame direction IM Corona Old Boys are hard to beat. I’ve used them close to 30 years and I even have one in continual use sine 1998
The Japanese produce fine products and take pride in their craftsmanship and dependability and the Corona’s are an example of it. Bics and Crickets get their use on my yard pipes and on the tractor etc simply because I can afford to have one fall out of my pocket.
Like they say Buy Once and Cry Once. You might find it was worth the crying and end up with a few

 

[BingBong]

Picked this up yesterday, £20. Piezo, butane, pipe flame, does the job. "Honest". Well, no lie, it's not pretending to be a Dupont.

View attachment 364067

It failed, terminally. Boxed it back up, threw it in the bin. Life is too short.

 

[Kollman]

Glad to know I am not the only one on this journey of hopping around between lighting options. I have found a number of economical butane pipe lighters with built-in tools that have been the best for a minimalist approach and reliability. That being said, I watch Malcolm Guite on YouTube, and he is always flicking his Zippo, which made me miss part of that process. So, I pulled out the old black pipe Zippo and have to admit it smells, and I have to fill it every week regardless, so it isn't better, but it makes me happy. Who knows, on calm days I might have to get the Diamond matches back out. It all comes full circle.

 

[Deano]

I have a few lighters. I use book matches for my pipes. I do use torch a for cigars. The torch was a gift for ordering Argyle cigars.

 

[zercules]

I started out with matches and they’re still my preferred way to light. Penny matches, specifically. Kitchen matches are too big, I feel like the flame gets large fast. It’s more controlled with the little ones.

That said, I do like my zippo and my old boy. I have not been using them as much. Matches are cheap and available and I’m not worried about using a lot. I’ve gotten decent at lighting them in heavy wind… or at least, I used to lol I smoke either in the garage or office nowadays (most typically the former).

The old boy is more cumbersome than matches in the wind. The zippo won’t go out, but heavy wind like we have here in my part of Cali will blow the flame right in your face

I recommend replacing the cotton in your zippo when you re-route the wick. OEM cotton doesn’t really hold fluid that well. Cotton people use for their vape coils is much better. There’s a specific way to do it. I’d have to find the exact video on it if you’re interested. Fluid lasts a lot longer.

 

[Servant King]

Thought for a moment this was a thread about arson. Being in California, I had some deep misgivings right off the bat!

 

[beetlejockey]

Learning to smoke a pipe while also learning not to inhale my nicotine resulted in piles of burnt matches and loads of wet dottle.
I became annoyed with the constant reminder of my indulgence and its nasty elements.

When I first smoked my pipe, I must have went through about 20 matches trying to keep the damn thing lit. This happened the first few times I smoked and i thought the hobby just wasn't for me. But as I kept smoking and adjusting different aspects of my packing and lighting, I've gotten down to ~4 matches per bowl after a month. But I'll never forget that pile of matches in the ashtray!