Matches vs. Lighters

[SoliDeoGloria]

$10 - $100 pipe: BIC or Zippo
$100 - $1000 pipe: Old Boy
$1000+ pipe: matches

If I followed this, I'd never use matches in my life!

 

[STP]

As I just got back into pipes again a few months ago, I bought some Diamond matches, and thought this is a nice inexpensive way to light the pipe.

Well the wood would burn and the flame would get bigger, not ideally a way to control it very well, and I found it quite easy to burn/char the bowl rim.

I guess if you have an inexpensive pipe, that you don’t mind burning the bowl rim.

For me, matches it didn’t work out well, so I bought an IM Corona Ole Boy, easy to adjust the flame, and not burn the rim.

P.S. Matches, and sitting on the couch in the dark, late at night watching the Tube, and trying to light the pipe... Nope not working... LOL

“... burn/char the bowl rim.”? I’ve never experienced this with matches. Stop using the larger version, which might help you control the flame better ?

 

[Papamique]

constant refueling them is a real pain in the .a....se

I refuel every other day and it takes me less than 15 seconds. I don’t mind at all.

 

[SoddenJack]

Is there a noticeable lighter fluid taste with zippos? Never tried one with a tobacco pipe pipe but I remember back in my weed smoking days there was always a noticeable taste with Zippos so they were frowned upon and avoided.

 

[STP]

^^^ There is a mild taste that dissipates quickly; just like matches. I never found either to be offensive, which adds to the overall experience IMO.

 

[Papamique]

Is there a noticeable lighter fluid taste with zippos? Never tried one with a tobacco pipe pipe but I remember back in my weed smoking days there was always a noticeable taste with Zippos so they were frowned upon and avoided.

I don’t notice a taste but I’ve been using one for years so I may just not notice.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Any source of flame can cause charring of the rim.
And any source used properly will not. (Time and distance from the flame)

You want to pull the tip of the flame to just above the tobacco. The super heated air will give you a good light, without torching the tobacco or rim.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Is there a noticeable lighter fluid taste with zippos? Never tried one with a tobacco pipe pipe but I remember back in my weed smoking days there was always a noticeable taste with Zippos so they were frowned upon and avoided.

I get more of a smell than a taste. But I usually use a Zippo only when we have high winds, so both dissipate quickly.

 

[anotherbob]

As I just got back into pipes again a few months ago, I bought some Diamond matches, and thought this is a nice inexpensive way to light the pipe.

Well the wood would burn and the flame would get bigger, not ideally a way to control it very well, and I found it quite easy to burn/char the bowl rim.

I guess if you have an inexpensive pipe, that you don’t mind burning the bowl rim.

For me, matches it didn’t work out well, so I bought an IM Corona Ole Boy, easy to adjust the flame, and not burn the rim.

P.S. Matches, and sitting on the couch in the dark, late at night watching the Tube, and trying to light the pipe... Nope not working... LOL

get some three star or other matches specifically made for smokers.

 

[PipeIT]

get some three star or other matches specifically made for smokers.

I’m happy with my IM Corona Old Boy...

 

[virginialover]

I'm an outdoor smoker and I use matches as much as weather permits then I switch to lighters. I do think that matches give more control overall and also it seems that high quality lighters are hard to find notwithstanding the price. A good match is always dependable as long as there's no wind.

 

[STP]

^^^ Yep, different tools for different environments. Exclusivity can get dull at times ?

 

[Apipeinthewoods]

I only smoke outside. Tried matches when I first started smoking pipes. Going through countless matches just to put fire on my tobacco didn't agree with me. Bic or Zippo all the way.

This^

 

[Effortlessdepths]

I'll probably get shot in the head for saying this, but I love my flicwick hemp wick lighter. Its just as easy to light as a pipe lighter once you're used to it, it doesn't blow out in the wind nearly as easily as regular pipe lighters, and it can do that while maintaining a small flame, which makes for a cooler flame that doesn't give you that singed taste. It is also much easier to light the bottom of bowls since you can poke it down in there. The only drawback I see is that you can't have built in pipe tools, though I bet I could rig something up. When I'm on my porch sitting I will often use a regular pipe lighter for the tools and simply to hear the cathartic click of the lighter.

Commence the firing squad.

 

[STP]

^^^ Never used one, but whatever works sounds good to me ?

 

[ssjones]

After a decade of practice, it's wooden matches all the way, indoors or out. I used to take a Thunderbird butane/Zippo with me for vacation, etc when I had to smoke outside. One year I forgot it and matches worked fine at the beach. So, now I just skip the lighter. After using matches for a while, you get pretty adept. (my summer patio smoking is all outdoors). Develop those match skill sets! I like the soft burn and smolder I get from a match.

Now,it's actually harder to FIND wooden strike-on-box matches than using them.

 

[bullet08]

After a decade of practice, it's wooden matches all the way, indoors or out. I used to take a Thunderbird butane/Zippo with me for vacation, etc when I had to smoke outside. One year I forgot it and matches worked fine at the beach. So, now I just skip the lighter. After using matches for a while, you get pretty adept. (my summer patio smoking is all outdoors). Develop those match skill sets! I like the soft burn and smolder I get from a match.

Now,it's actually harder to FIND wooden strike-on-box matches than using them.

Last time I was getting a pack of smoke, I asked for a matchbook. The cashier looked at me like I was crazy. I remember when they used to give out matchbook with every pack of smokes.

 

[weezell]

I'll probably get shot in the head for saying this, but I love my flicwick hemp wick lighter.

I have one and love it to! Nice alternative... ?

 

[weezell]

The only drawback I see is that you can't have built in pipe tools,

Sure it does! It's called an index finger...

 

[STP]

After a decade of practice, it's wooden matches all the way, indoors or out. I used to take a Thunderbird butane/Zippo with me for vacation, etc when I had to smoke outside. One year I forgot it and matches worked fine at the beach. So, now I just skip the lighter. After using matches for a while, you get pretty adept. (my summer patio smoking is all outdoors). Develop those match skill sets! I like the soft burn and smolder I get from a match.

Now,it's actually harder to FIND wooden strike-on-box matches than using them.

I’m 50/50 using the hand cup technique outside w/matches, but if windy it’s usually a fail... ?