Match vs. Lighter

[jpmcwjr]

I use all the above, torch very seldom, and Zippo even less. The "experiment" posted by a fellow who's not been around for over five years is very flawed in execution as well as conclusions. With a modest amount of care, anything can be used without damage to the pipe or tobacco. It's all in the distance from the tobacco, duration, and intensity of drawing the flame to near the tobacco.

 

[npod]

I am mainly using matches now. I splurge for the Swan Vestas. The light great and I can control the flame better than a lighter, less rim darkening.

 

[spartan99]

Indoors, I use a couple of kitchen matches for the charring and first lights. I usually use a Vector/Jetline pipe lighter for relights. Matches seem to be a little easier on the rim and are easy to keep going for a good char without burning my thumb or getting too much heat into the bowl at the beginning.
Cardboard matchbooks have become scarce in the wake of the various smoking bans, but they weren't worth a damn anyways.

 

[rat32]

Cardboard matchbooks have become scarce in the wake of the various smoking bans, but they weren't worth a damn anyways.

You said it brother, might as well try to light it with wet toilet paper. I digress. :lol:

 

[sparrowhawk]

I've recently discovered using butane Thunderbird inserts in my personal brand of lighters (which are decorated with lovely ladies deshibille) and favorte Zippos. They fire cleanly, don't get dirty, and don't burn the side of the lighter.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Cardboard matchbooks have become scarce in the wake of the various smoking bans, but they weren't worth a damn anyways.

They can be used just fine, but are totally unaesthetic. But they're compact, and a book cached away is a great backup.
If there's a restaurant that still has the nice box matches, grab 'em. Just the right size, and the price is right. I like to start with those, then butane for relights.

 

[thehappypiper]

I own a Vauen Firenze which is a superb pipe. Solid, tasty, well-made.

I used the first thing which came to hand in my eagerness to try it out. A butane blowtorch lighter.

It did not end well. I literally burned away a portion of the top inner rim and charred about 20% of it.

I threw the lighter out and have never bought that type again.

The Vauen still smokes brilliantly and there is not a scratch on any other part of it but I feel guilt every time I look at it.

I will have to get about 7mm sawn off the top of the bowl at some point.

 

[skeeter456]

Matches so you dont get the butane taste

 

[ssjones]

I'm a match guy all the way. After you get the hang of it, you can light one on a windy day. Applied correctly, it just smolders the tobacco, which for me, eliminated tongue burn, after I got the hang of it.

 

[mso489]

A trusty ligher is a beautiful thing, the small gadget aspect irresistible. However, the soft flame of a match gives a lot more finesse and control to pipe lighting, so i do that most of the time.

 

[warren]

Usually butane nowadays and I don't get that butane taste either. Didn't know there was a butane taste. Thank goodness for an old, overused palate. I can get lighter fluid taste if I don't let the Zippo burn for a second before applying to the blend.

 

[tslex]

I've fiddled with all manner of combustion over nearly 40 years of pipe smoking. At this point, I use the butane pipe insert in a Zippo. Properly handled I don't char any pipes. There's no taste. It's easy.
I confess it isn't as nifty as matches or hemp wick or what have you.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have a whole shelf full of fancy expensive lighters that I never use. I have tried the hemp wick thing, and I just thought it was a joke. Me trying to use that was ridiculous in every aspect.

Matches are fine, but 90% of the time I just use a Bic. They are cheap, plentiful and more reliable than any other lighter, and easily replaced on the go. I have no idea what a butane smell would be. I like matches too, but most often I have a Bic on me, with no matches, so...

 

[crashthegrey]

Honestly, as flame on the tobacco is bad, the absolute best way is the oldest way. A hot coal from the fire held over the bowl guarantees the best light that you can get. If you aren't dedicated enough to build a fire every time you smoke a pipe, then I don't know what to tell you.

 

[lawdawg]

I use matches inside, and even outside on occasion. Most of the time when I'm smoking outside, I am smoking Carter Hall in a corn cob, and I just use a bic for convenience. I would be worried about scorching the rim of my briars if I used a bic on them. Some of my cobs have pretty toasted rims, but they still smoke good ::
Regardless of whatever I'm using, I always keep the flame off the tobacco.

 

[tslex]

Crash: "If you aren't dedicated enough to build a fire every time you smoke a pipe, then I don't know what to tell you."
Damn. You're right. I have to reevaluate my life choices now.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You can scorch or even char rims with any lighting device. Some care is needed to keep the tip of the flame where it belongs.
Here is a flameless tool, and no pipes were damaged during the filming. You can heat the coil over a gas burner instead of a whole fireplace get up.

 

[scloyd]

Matches unless I'm sitting outside in the yard. Then I use a cheap mini barbecue lighter from the dollar store.

 

[rat32]

You can scorch or even char rims with any lighting device. Some care is needed to keep the tip of the flame where it belongs.
Here is a flameless tool, and no pipes were damaged during the filming. You can heat the coil over a gas burner instead of a whole fireplace get up.
Sweet,going to try to find one of those, or is it hand made?

 

[eaglewriter1]

I like matches and actualy got some windproof matches especialy for use outside but latel I have been getting lasy and simply using Bic Ligthers. Both work for me but matches have a little more... ritualistic element wich is kind of nice to have.