Is Diamond Treating Their Matches With Something?

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I use the 300 count box of Diamond matches, and I've noticed with the last couple boxes that the matches seem to burn more quickly and aggressively. Often the match will burn down to near the tips of my fingers before I'm even done lighting a pipe in a matter of just a few seconds. Also, they seem to be harder to either blow out or shake out the flame when finished. I find myself having to try and light my pipe quicker than usual before the raging inferno burns my fingers.
Any other match users noticing this?

 

[derekflint]

Yes definitely . I stopped buying them altogether. Get Stop and Shop matches, there much better for lighting a pipe.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

Good to know it's not my imagination, Derek. I don't think I've seen Stop and Shop anywhere around here though.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I like best the matches that good hotels and restaurants used to press into your palm. Now you have to scrounge for them, but worth it. Book matches also work fine for me. Kitchen matches only if there's no other.

 

[64alex]

Swan Vesta are still the best matches. Expensive and difficult to find (but available on Amazon) but the best. I purchase both the long 3'75'' version and the short 2' version. Generally I use 1 long for charring light and 1 short for the 2nd light. I really prefer use matches for lighting as I get better control of the flame and also because no matter how much I put a butane flame away from the chamber it is too hot and I feel burning of the tongue. In the 2nd half the bowl I use Hemp Wick as it burns cool like a match and you can easily control it down in the bowl. I rarely use butane lighter for the reason above described.

 

[jpmcwjr]

really prefer use matches for lighting as I get better control of the flame and also because no matter how much I put a butane flame away from the chamber it is too hot and I feel burning of the tongue. In the 2nd half the bowl I use Hemp Wick as it burns cool like a match and you can easily control it down in the bowl. I rarely use butane lighter for the reason above described.

Preference is key, and that's fine. But the part I itlalicized makes no sense; it flies in the face of physics.

 

[kyriefurro]

I'd be surprised if they were actually coating or treating them with anything. I suspect that they've moved to a cheaper wood that burns faster and hotter. If, say, they'd switched to pine instead of oak they'd save money and get a faster burning match - which also forces you to buy more because you'll use them up more quickly. They save money and increase sales at the same time. Hope someone got a raise for that :roll:

 

[johnsteam86]

I got the greenlight matches from them and they burn really fast. I use them for the smoker now and stick to casino matches which last a lot longer. Not a fan of butane but will probably get a Zippo Pipe Lighter here pretty quick.

 

[mso489]

Not good. The whole pleasure of lighting with matches is a gentler flame with better control. I use Diamond, but my supply is older. I'll observe next time I buy Diamonds. Iwan Ries has nice matches they will sometimes include; you can buy a supply, or sometimes they will include some boxes with a phone order, if you ask.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I really doubt that Diamond ever used oak, however a drier strain of pine maybe. I wonder if you could rehydrate them, slow the burn a little. Maybe put them in a tupperware container with a small bowl of humectant, maybe put them in a humidor. ::

 

[64alex]

[really prefer use matches for lighting as I get better control of the flame and also because no matter how much I put a butane flame away from the chamber it is too hot and I feel burning of the tongue. In the 2nd half the bowl I use Hemp Wick as it burns cool like a match and you can easily control it down in the bowl. I rarely use butane lighter for the reason above described.

Preference is key, and that's fine. But the part I itlalicized makes no sense; it flies in the face of physics.]
Well, let's put on this way, I have to put a flame of a butane lighter too far away from the bowl that it is very difficult to control the flame. I think the problem is that with a lighter (and I am talking here of the pipe lighters that put the flame down) you actually have the gas and the flame forced down and so it tends to go straight in your mouth, on the other side with a match the flame goes up and you are just pushing it down when puffing. So in theory on this regard a regular lighter would be by absurd better than a pipe lighter but with a regular lighter you burn your finger. In other words in practical life I find burning my finger or my mouth with a lighter. And in addition I like the old school of lighting with matches.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

There is nothing wrong with matches. That’s totally legit. But, if you are ever stuck having to use a lighter, hold it about half an inch over the bowl, and don’t worry about drawing the actual flame down, but just the heat. That should light your pipe with a big puff of flame when lit. It’s similar to lighting a cigar. The actual flame doesn’t have to dip down, just the heat is enough. At least give it a try. Works for me without scotching the tobacco, nor the rim.
But, there’s nothing wrong with matches, I like them too, but they’re just impractical for me at times.

 

[jpmcwjr]

So in theory on this regard a regular lighter would be by absurd better than a pipe lighter but with a regular lighter you burn your finger. In other words in practical life I find burning my finger or my mouth with a lighter. And in addition I like the old school of lighting with matches.

Again, preferences are fine and good.
But for the many who like butane lighters and successfully use one or more, and those who may wish to try one, it is rare to find the problems you do. As Cosmic says, hold the flame further away. It's the superheated air beyond the visible tip that does the job, and does it well.
Agreed that lighters with directional tips are more difficult to use. I avoid them.
As to matches, I use them all the time at home to start a bowl. Then switch to butane for relights. YMMV.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I use a pipe Zippo as well, but when at home I prefer matches. It just amazes me how fast and hot Diamond matches are burning now. I usually light a candle when smoking at home, so I can occasionally put the match in the flame (because the scratchers wear out extremely fast now too), so I might just start using hemp wick. It's mentioned fairly often as having great results.

 

[derekflint]

I also noticed on the Diamond that the red tip seems bigger. Way too much flame for a pipe. Scratchers work for one box only...most of the time, not always.

 

[jzbdano]

I like the Diamond red tips best. I haven't tries Swan but if my next box of Diamond is different I will try them.

 

[64alex]

[it is rare to find the problems you do.]

To be clear I use lighters me too because there are situations where matches are not practical but I can always feel a difference in taste with the lighter, sometime I am even thinking if I could be oversensitive to the butane itself (even if it should all burnt out). As a minimum I have to be extra careful with the lighter.
Anyway I don't want to steal the topic of the discussion which was about diamond matches. Matches they are not all created equals and the Swan Vesta IMO are the best even if very expensive as matches. They do not have sulphur, they burn for a long time and also they have a nice classical box.