Ideal Lighting for Pipes

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sparrowhawk

Lifer
Jul 24, 2013
2,941
220
What is your best lighter implement for your pipes. I have problems with Zippos, which char the chimney in no time, butanes fail to produce a flame reliability, and matches wear out a friction strip after a few strikes. What do you use?
 

lawdawg

Lifer
Aug 25, 2016
1,792
3,812
I get boxes of "kitchen matches" from the grocery store. I think the brand is "Diamond" and I've had no issues with the friction strips wearing out. That's what I use when smoking in my house. If I'm smoking outside, I'll usually just use a Bic and try to be quick with it so as to avoid charring the pipe or scorching the tobacco, my tongue, or all of the above. So far, no problems with either approach, though I keep my nicer pipes in the house and don't expose them to any flame other than a match.
 
If you will hold your zippo or Bic or whatever... about a half inch above the bowl. Don't try to draw the flame down, draw the heat down, and as you let up on your draw, a flame will come from the bowl, and as soon as that happens, you know you have a good even burn. This works if you hold it even a full inch above the bowl. This is just how I've seen men lighting pipes back in the day, and it is how most "real" cigar guys light their cigars... without those stupid torch lighters.

You are charring the rim, because you feel like the flame needs to dip down into the bowl, but that is not the case. Try the half inch away technique. All you need is some heat. Try it, and let me know how that works.
 

warren

Lifer
Sep 13, 2013
12,358
18,572
Foothills of the Chugach Range, AK
I use a Zippo, Peterson and Bic. I don't apply the flame to the pipe so only need to wipe the rim now and then with a wet finger, sometimes a damp paper towel. I learned when I started the pipe to tip the bowl a couple of degrees to the left, tip the lighter a couple degrees to the right, I'm left handed, and suck the flame into the tobacco.
 
Jun 9, 2018
4,521
14,507
England
Old Boy, without a doubt. I bought a Sillem's version and it wasn't a cheap purchase, for me anyway.
The thing is so weighty and well made. It sort of harks back to the days when companies made things that lasted. It's no good outside in the wind, but apart from that it's brilliant.
One thing to consider is they upgraded the design a few years back.

"Made with improved carbon filtering systems, all solid Brass parts, 5X stronger finishes, internal rubber seals now silicon and recessed fill valve covers that won't get lost."

So if you go for one I'd make sure it isn't old stock.
 
May 2, 2020
4,664
23,786
Louisiana
If you will hold your zippo or Bic or whatever... about a half inch above the bowl. Don't try to draw the flame down, draw the heat down, and as you let up on your draw, a flame will come from the bowl, and as soon as that happens, you know you have a good even burn. This works if you hold it even a full inch above the bowl. This is just how I've seen men lighting pipes back in the day, and it is how most "real" cigar guys light their cigars... without those stupid torch lighters.

You are charring the rim, because you feel like the flame needs to dip down into the bowl, but that is not the case. Try the half inch away technique. All you need is some heat. Try it, and let me know how that works.
He said char the “chimney,” which is part of the lighter, and to me, inconsequential. I’m not sure. Maybe he did mean the rim of the bowl. ?‍♂️