My ritual is two matches to start, not at the same time. I then switch over to a soft flame lighter.
Lighters vs Matches
- Thread starter TheOccasionalPuffer
- Start date
I like to use matches initially. Modern matches suck, so I light them with an electric candle lighter. Great for learning to draw heat into the bowl, and not touch the flame directly to the tobacco. After I get a good initial layer of ash, I’ll use my zippo pipe lighter for re-lights.
I’m not as put off by current-production matches as some others here. My decades-old Diamond Strike Anywhere kitchen matches have all become strike-on-box, so there’s not much rose tinting in my rearview mirror. The Chilean Diamonds do the job.
Personally I prefer matches, for (as already has been said) ease of direction of the flame to the tobacco in the bowl. Though if I'm by an open fire, I'll use a twig.
Otherwise, when I'm out of matches I'll use a Bic lighter. I used to use a lot of matches until I got my tobacco preparation and packing right, now I use a lot less, maybe half a dozen per pipe at most.
If indoors, I also like to keep a candle lit. I save the spent matches and (re)light them from the candle, to (re)light my pipe.
Spent matches are also handy for rearranging/aerating the tobacco in the bowl, if you've misplaced your spike tool and don't have a nail to hand.
Otherwise, when I'm out of matches I'll use a Bic lighter. I used to use a lot of matches until I got my tobacco preparation and packing right, now I use a lot less, maybe half a dozen per pipe at most.
If indoors, I also like to keep a candle lit. I save the spent matches and (re)light them from the candle, to (re)light my pipe.
Spent matches are also handy for rearranging/aerating the tobacco in the bowl, if you've misplaced your spike tool and don't have a nail to hand.
Lighters are basically portable lamps, which have been around since the beginning of time. I've no use for those new fangled matches favored by young whipper snappers!
And matches are basically portable torches, which are a few millennia older than yer modern oil lamps
I reject your premise! A torch is not a match! A match is self igniting, torches aren't!And matches are basically portable torches, which are a few millennia older than yer modern oil lamps
Jokes aside, I was surprised to find out that lighters were invented before matches, e.g. Why Were Lighters Invented Before Matches? The Shocking Story - Sciencefix.blog - https://sciencefix.blog/why-lighters-invented-before-matches
When smoking indoors, match is the way to go. But I only smoke outside. Zippo, or when out of fuel, Bic.
I also only smoke outside so matches are a bit tricky when the wind kicks up. A zippo with the pipe insert will be my next bit of kit.
Well, if you use them long enough then one is almost guaranteed to accidentally set your pants on fire at some point and the other isn't. 
The matter of freshly struck match heads flying off aside, I personally prefer a soft flame butane lighter. There are plenty of fancy refillable butane lighter options, but I generally just use a BIC. I buy 'em in 5 packs for about $6 and that tends to last me around 10 months of daily usage. Unlike matches or Zippos they don't add any additional unwanted flavors to the smoke, require no maintenance, and leave no mess behind. Plus they won't set your pants on fire... unless you, ya know, intentionally light your pants on fire.
The matter of freshly struck match heads flying off aside, I personally prefer a soft flame butane lighter. There are plenty of fancy refillable butane lighter options, but I generally just use a BIC. I buy 'em in 5 packs for about $6 and that tends to last me around 10 months of daily usage. Unlike matches or Zippos they don't add any additional unwanted flavors to the smoke, require no maintenance, and leave no mess behind. Plus they won't set your pants on fire... unless you, ya know, intentionally light your pants on fire.
I use a ton of bics out of convenience. But I prefer to have a candle burning and use the long 11" fireplace matches so I can just relight them with the candle multiple times. I also like other lighters. I have a Mr. Brog, some Zippos, and a nice lighter somewhere.
I had little like with modern matches. They break, many do not fire up loosing their head. Now I use pipe lighters exclusively, and I always have a Bic as a backup.
Best advice in the whole thread.
Personally, I like my zippo but even a zippo won't stop a ton of relights if your packing ain't up to snuff, and your tobacco wont taste as good if it's too hot or scorched. Time and experimentation is your friend until you find your happy place.
Watching Bing Crosby matchlight with one hand in White Christmas is pretty awesome.