Lighting Pipes

[sablebrush52]

I just wet the rim with a bit o spit. Smooth, plateau, makes no difference. I also keep the rim on a horizontal, don't pack to the top, and light from a half an inch or so above the rim. The spit ensures that I don't char the wood. Problem solved.

 

[zenforest]

What do Zippo lighters use for fuel ? I assume from reading this thread the answer is NOT Butane. I have the hardest time lighting my pipe in the windy city of Boston !! My Butane lighter is USELESS in the wind, and I revert to a Bic unless I am inside, in which case I do use kitchen matches.

 

[tlag77]

I have only been smoking a short time, I use the same pipe 2 or 3 times a day, I leave room at the top of the bowl after packing, I use a Zippo pipe lighter which I think helps keep the fire away from the rim, and as stated above short burst of flame, quick little puffs if you will. My point is at this point the rim of my pipe is still like brand new.

 

[macabra11]

I have only been smoking a short time, I use the same pipe 2 or 3 times a day, I leave room at the top of the bowl after packing, I use a Zippo pipe lighter which I think helps keep the fire away from the rim, and as stated above short burst of flame, quick little puffs if you will. My point is at this point the rim of my pipe is still like brand new.

Same with me tlag77. I use a zippo with a T-bird insert and haven't noticed any ill effects from running flame over the rim of my briar pipe (yet). I do, however, wet a finger and circle the rim with it right after lighting, so maybe that will help in the long run? I also have a bad habit of sucking the flame down so much that I put the flame out. I notice this is especially true as the tobacco gets smoked down.
My MM cob is a different story. It is definitely charred around the rim. But I assume that is commonplace for a cob?

 

[pipejunky]

I'm with sablebrush on this too spit + match height.And don't fill your bowl to the rim

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Keep in mind that there is rim char and also cake creep. Rim char is caused by heat charring the rim material. Cake creep is when you fill the bowl too high with tobacco, and the cake starts to creep out of the bowl onto the rim. On pipes that I allow cake to build, I like to keep my cake trimmed down with my pocketknife a few millimeters below the rim and never fill the pipe above the cake to prevent it from creeping up and out.

 

[cobguy]

Soooo ... a little spit around the rim, huh? 8O
Like others, I use wooden matches and keep the fill level below the top.

 

[ssjones]

That is interesting about the paper matches, I'll give them a try.

 

[ssjones]

A standard Zippo insert uses lighter fluid. The Black can has less noticable flavor, perhaps they don't even sell the Blue can any longer? Ronson also makes a lighter fluid, although the Zippo seems to be more readily avalable.

I have a couple of these for my Zippo cases. They can be a little fussy and you must remove all air before filling. The fill lasts a long time and won't dry out like Zippo fluid. The adjustable flame is a big plus in my book, I keep mine pretty low. They are pretty useless in any wind, then I switch to the Zippo pipe insert.
http://www.amazon.com/Butane-Lighter-Insert-Flip-top-Lighters/dp/B003IRNUQI

 

[Strike Anywhere]

It's a matter how to light the pipe, not the lighter itself then. Thank you gentlemen. I am going to try to get a Zippo with that special pipe insert, and not be so aggressive in lighting my pipe.

Get the pipe lighter insert for your Zippo. You'll love it. I've used one for years and my rims look almost new.

What do Zippo lighters use for fuel ? I assume from reading this thread the answer is NOT Butane. I have the hardest time lighting my pipe in the windy city of Boston !! My Butane lighter is USELESS in the wind, and I revert to a Bic unless I am inside, in which case I do use kitchen matches.

Lighter fluid.

A Bic lighter is a butane lighter.