Match light

[terrygoldman123]

So, what the best way to light your pipe? I vary between wooden matches and a BIC lighter. Really don't want to collect lighters but are the more expensive ones better for smoking than a BIC? Enjoy matches but always a pain to dispose of. What's your thinking on this dilemma.

 

[brdavidson]

I have an expensive lighter and an inexpensive pipe zippo. Lots here use bic's as they're cheap and readily available. My only concern with a bic is scorching the top of the bowl. You can get some pretty decent and inexpensive pipe lighters at any of the site sponsors that help direct the flame better. Use the zippo when I'm outside and the expensive Xikar Pipeline when I'm inside or it's not windy out.

 

[pipebow88]

I like my zippo pipe lighter, but it lacks in the area of bowls with an irregular top. I want another pipe lighter that has the flame out of the side for these.

B

 

[mso489]

I think matches are best. They slow down the process of lighting up slightly. They observe the tradition

of pipe smoking. You can learn to use lighters correctly, but they do pose more of a chance of burning

the rim or the inner bowl. It's too much like lighting off a propane torch or the grill. I prefer wooden

matches. I have a small hand-turned vessel, I guess it was meant as a tea cup, that holds the spent matches,

and I dump them when I empty the waste basket. No big deal. Outside, I just corral the spent matches and

dispose of them in a waste bin. Of course, matches can be composted when you are near a compost bin.

Used-up lighters will be around for decades, centuries.

 

[terrygoldman123]

Thanks guys for the prompt responses. Are the Zippo lighters butane?

 

[jah76]

You can order a Thunderbird insert for your Zippo that is. Mine leaked like a sieve, but the Old Cajun has some tricks for filling and "securing" them.
I just use wooden matches and a bic. My wife got me a new Zippo pipe light but I haven't tried it out.

 

[crazypipe]

Wooden Matches or bic for me ::

 

[salewis]

I find that Diamond Strike Anywhere matches work the best since with large wooden matches you can direct the flame directly over your tobacco and move it around a little to get the tobacco lit all over. Since I have to smoke outside on the patio I use my pipe Zippo on windy days as matches will not work.

 

[cigrmaster]

I prefer to use my Corona Old Boy and my Corona Pipemaster lighters which both have built in tampers. I have tried matches and just do not care for them. I have a Zippo but only use that for outside as I do not care for the flame, it is clumsy and hard to use. IM Corona lighters are in my opinion the best pipe lighters for the money. I have tried the less expensive pipe lighters( 25-50.00) and everyone has shit the bead after a short period of time. I love the convenience of having my tamper built into the lighter, always searching for a tamper is a pain in the butt to me.

 

[brdavidson]

Terry, I use the regular zippo fluid in my pipe zippo, I don't notice an odour like others have talked about before, but for deeper bowls I find it's hard to relight near the bottom of the bowl. However, you just can't beat the dependability of the zippo, I've dropped mine and run over it with the car, it doesn't scratch and always lights even on the windiest of days.

 

[adam2]

I think it is a matter of choosing what you feel for and then get used to it. It takes some practice to light a pipe corretly no matter what source you use. I "grew up" with matches but now use an IM Corona Old Boy which it took me a while to use properly. So use what you feel for, stick to it and learn to make the perfect fire with it.

 

[foggymountain]

Wooden matches or a Bic. I use wood for 1st lights, Bics to relight. Zippo for outdoors.