Matches or Lighters?

[iamn8]

I only use a DuPont lighter that's dipped in holy water and blessed by a priest... this way I won't get cancer.

 

[tennsmoker]

Matches at home, Bic in the car.
I love the tradition of matches, but not in the car. Burned too many seats and put holes in pants with matches and tobacco jumping out of a too-full bowl.

 

[scrooge]

Lately I'm using a old Dunhill military lighter I was gifted by Dave.

 

[aeropuffer]

You might be surprised at the number of post about this in the archives. I use both Bic & Zippo.

 

[warren]

Same old tired answer for the same old tired question. Bics, Zippos, Peterson, matches, embers, whatever is handy.

 

[ray47]

Matches to start off, then switch to a lighter.

 

[ashdigger]

Hypergolic Combustion for all of my nose warmers.

 

[derfargin]

I'm partial to fire. I don't care if it comes from a 99 cent lighter, or a match. That said I think matches are a giant pain in the ass and waste of time.

 

[mso489]

Incidentally, matches can be used outdoors and even in a fairly strong wind, but it takes some learning. You have to use wind breaks (trees, buildings, cars, etc.) and your hands to further shelter the match, and you have to get the match down into the pipe bowl as soon as it flairs. To old time smokers, this was a standard skill.

 

[warren]

Back to the wind or breeze, hold the match parallel to the palm. When you strike it your fingers will naturally curl and the back of your hand will form a further protection. After the initial flare, apply the flame, holding the bowl with the last two fingers and thumb of your other hand, further shielding from the breeze with the remaining fingers. Sounds complicated, tain't, and soon becomes second nature. But, with a good Zippo in your pocket it's not a necessary talent. Well, until you find yourself with an empty lighter.

 

[unclescot]

Matches smell like the souls burning in Hell.

 

[newbroom]

Torch to wick to bowl. Every time.

 

[jvnshr]

Totally agree with MSO and Warren. And there is this one:

 

[noquarter]

Matches for charring then Bics after the 2nd relight. When indoors, Bics all the way, wife not too keen on the matches' room note.

 

[shutterbugg]

I'd prefer matches (wood ones you can strike anywhere), but as I only smoke outdoors anymore, they're more frustration and mess than they're worth. I use a Zippo except when I travel by plane. Then I buy a disposible butane when I land. They're a PITA outdoors but at least they work one-handed, can be re-lit quickly again and again, and don't make it look like a beaver set up housekeeping around your shoes.

 

[64alex]

I prefer matches as I can feel the difference in taste when using butane as it is burning hotter. However practically for the second half of the bowl I use butane lighter as with matches I have the problem of burning the rim and my fingers when going deep in the bowl with the matches. How can successfully be used matches deep in the bowl without undergoing these problems?

 

[mortonbriar]

Last time this came up I said 'matches only, forever' or something to that effect. Now I have almost no indoor smoking and I am hypocritically enjoying the convenience of a bic lighter for almost every bowl. I cannot tell a difference in taste.
Isaac

 

[shutterbugg]

I have the problem of burning the rim and my fingers when going deep in the bowl with the matches. How can successfully be used matches deep in the bowl without undergoing these problems?

Keep the flame above the pipe not down into it, and suck harder.

 

[ashdigger]

Shutterbug, it took a while to figure that out. Great advice.

 

[ophiuchus]

I prefer wood matches. I miss the Ohio Blue Tip Strike-Anywhere matches you could get a couple decades ago. Outdoors, though, a couple Zippos with pipe inserts get their share of action.