Matches vs. Lighters: Any Difference?
- Thread starter epazikas
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Great for candles …
… and more!
These do work very well as pipe lighters.
I use the traditional Bic quite a bit. They last forever. I do miss when you could adjust the flame on them.
The Djeep is another favorite. The long fuel button allows for some distance between thumb and fire. The flame is adjustable; for lighting a pipe, I like it set low. I didn’t want to leave my Zippo out of the picture. It gets used most.
When conditions allow, I prefer to start a pipe with matches, though.
… and more!
These do work very well as pipe lighters.
I use the traditional Bic quite a bit. They last forever. I do miss when you could adjust the flame on them.
The Djeep is another favorite. The long fuel button allows for some distance between thumb and fire. The flame is adjustable; for lighting a pipe, I like it set low. I didn’t want to leave my Zippo out of the picture. It gets used most.
When conditions allow, I prefer to start a pipe with matches, though.
I'm an outdoor smoker so it's a Zippo with a pipe insert for me, since outdoors the wind is a constant adversary, and I do notice a slight naphtha taste from the Zippo fluid for the first 2 or 3 seconds after lighting my pipe but it dissipates quickly. On the rare occasions I do get to smoke indoors I enjoy the slow paced and tactile exercise of using stick matches to light my pipe, but they too impart of a bit of their own flavor for the first few puffs. Some sulfur and charred wood, which I actually find kinda pleasant.
In an ideal world I'd always use a BIC to light my pipe, since it imparts no flavor at all, but a BIC is less practical outdoors than a Zippo and less fun than matches when you can sit down and relax inside. I still keep one in my pipe kit though, since it's always good to have options. A Zippo can run out of fuel or the flint can break, and matches can get wet from humidity and stubborn to light, so it never hurts to have a BIC around as a backup.
In an ideal world I'd always use a BIC to light my pipe, since it imparts no flavor at all, but a BIC is less practical outdoors than a Zippo and less fun than matches when you can sit down and relax inside. I still keep one in my pipe kit though, since it's always good to have options. A Zippo can run out of fuel or the flint can break, and matches can get wet from humidity and stubborn to light, so it never hurts to have a BIC around as a backup.
Oh boy, don't get me started. I bought four $100 + lighters last month and one is already giving me problems (Kirbi) The second (Corona) has been exhibiting some problems but I haven't used it in the last 5-7 days. The last two (Rattray and Peterson) I haven't filled yet. I plan to give a report on my findings with my Kirbi after I give it a cleaning in hopes that it will light on at least the 3rd try every time.
Otherwise at this very moment I say ditch any overly expensive lighter or match and use a zippo for outside and a bic for inside. Personally I like the flavor and smell of the Zippo due to nostalgia of my father but hate having to fill it all the time. Around the house at this moment in time It just seems most reasonable for me to use a Bic lighter around the house unless I want to feel special with matches. And hey, I like feeling special, that is why I bought the expensive lighters, but I feel they are just going to make me feel like I wasted a lot of money.
Otherwise at this very moment I say ditch any overly expensive lighter or match and use a zippo for outside and a bic for inside. Personally I like the flavor and smell of the Zippo due to nostalgia of my father but hate having to fill it all the time. Around the house at this moment in time It just seems most reasonable for me to use a Bic lighter around the house unless I want to feel special with matches. And hey, I like feeling special, that is why I bought the expensive lighters, but I feel they are just going to make me feel like I wasted a lot of money.
Sorry for your bad experience with lighters. While I now mostly use a BiC, I've had fine experiences with soft butane lights, including Old Boy, Kiribi, FauxPonts and Dunhill. Only one lighter over 10 bucks has failed me, and I forget the name.
I couldn’t agree any more!@BronzeAgePiper Best way to light a clay pipe; with an ember from the blacksmith's forge
These little guys are a buck and a half from Estervals. Every once in a while you get a dud. Easy to refil and no big deal if they break or get lost.
@Sigmund I've been refilling lighters using Bull Brand lighter fluid - made in UK!
How do I get a job where you work?
I've been using the same $15 Zippo for 8 years now.
I dislike the fact that Zippo catches me every now and then by surprise and I have to refil it, but Zippo is also special for me due to the Nostalgia, it has a legacy. I also see that Zippo released a butane insert but haven’t tried yet….Oh boy, don't get me started. I bought four $100 + lighters last month and one is already giving me problems (Kirbi) The second (Corona) has been exhibiting some problems but I haven't used it in the last 5-7 days. The last two (Rattray and Peterson) I haven't filled yet. I plan to give a report on my findings with my Kirbi after I give it a cleaning in hopes that it will light on at least the 3rd try every time.
Otherwise at this very moment I say ditch any overly expensive lighter or match and use a zippo for outside and a bic for inside. Personally I like the flavor and smell of the Zippo due to nostalgia of my father but hate having to fill it all the time. Around the house at this moment in time It just seems most reasonable for me to use a Bic lighter around the house unless I want to feel special with matches. And hey, I like feeling special, that is why I bought the expensive lighters, but I feel they are just going to make me feel like I wasted a lot of money.
Not sure I can comment on the taste between the three, But I understand that tobacco only requires less than 500 degrees Fahrenheit to burn and lighters butane especially burns at over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Which makes it harder on your lungs.
If I got to choose, and I do, I always go with butane. I’m very susceptible to the smell and taste of lighter fluid as well as sulfur from matches. I can taste it all the way through a bowl. I’m just one of those people.
Distance and time can reduce the BTU burden to any temperature you want.
As far as I can tell your info above it correct. But considering the fact that stick matches and soft flame lighters, even butane soft flame lighters all burn around 1400 degrees. There should not be much of a difference on how they affect you!
Ive owned many lighters.
I have two Old Boys, but haven't used them in a decade.
I use Bic for pipes and Ronson Jet for cigars......period.
Bic has never failed me and never scorched a rim.
When I started smoking a pipe it was matches ONLY, thats what the internet told me. I did it for a couple years, then to the Bic.
I have two Old Boys, but haven't used them in a decade.
I use Bic for pipes and Ronson Jet for cigars......period.
Bic has never failed me and never scorched a rim.
When I started smoking a pipe it was matches ONLY, thats what the internet told me. I did it for a couple years, then to the Bic.
Flavor and even lighting = matches. Little to no bitterness, smooth even lighting.
For ease of use and almost equal control = see pictured butane lighter.
Bought this thing on Amazon. Best convenience lighter for a pipe I've ever owned. Great pocket lighter and attached tools. Solid make. And cheap. I won't buy those expensive lighters when cheap ones do just as well.
If done right, the butane won't leave sour flavors even on initial light. Just need to hold flame a little above tobacco and barely draw the flame into the top of the tobacco - like sipping smoke from the tobacco.
For ease of use and almost equal control = see pictured butane lighter.
Bought this thing on Amazon. Best convenience lighter for a pipe I've ever owned. Great pocket lighter and attached tools. Solid make. And cheap. I won't buy those expensive lighters when cheap ones do just as well.
If done right, the butane won't leave sour flavors even on initial light. Just need to hold flame a little above tobacco and barely draw the flame into the top of the tobacco - like sipping smoke from the tobacco.
Last edited:
To each his own! Some of us are more aesthetically inclined!
That advice is good for all sources of flame. Critical, perhaps.
Even more important with fluid, I'd think. (I don't use fluid lighters except in a gale.)
Last edited: