Newbie Lighter Advice

[roddypiper]

As someone who has been smoking pipes for 1 week I'd like to know what you guys would recommend in terms of lighters under $100. I'm particularly interested in vintage lighters you would recommend as I spend most of my professional life at estate sales and auctions and often run across vintage lighters.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Nothing beats matches, a Bic, or a Zippo, bit I do enjoy my Nimrod. Got it unused years ago for $20.

 

[bassbug]

Zippo, with enough left over for lower end Pete or Sav.
Bic or matches, with enough left over for that Pete or Sav AND a couple of cobs.

 

[philobeddoe]

Buy an IM Corona Pipemaster, best butane lighter available IMHO.

 

[bassbug]

Too quick to click "send post"...
My reasoning here is that I think its better to add a few pipes to the rotation than a lighter for someone just starting out.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Have an IM Corona Old Boy. Should have used that money on tobacco. Dropped it once, and now it leaks fuel.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Kiribi Old Boy style. About $80 new. Not vintage, but vintage style. Meantime, Bics are fine. I don't like Zippos, and Nimrods seem a bit fussy. Matches are always a good backup, and I often use them for the first light.
If you're prone to dropping things, stick with Bic....
Here's a bit more info on a variety of butanes. LINK to THREAD

 

[jvnshr]

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/smokingpipescom-kiribi-lighters

 

[pipesmokingtom]

Bottom line, if you want to feel "fancy" go old boy or old boy style. If you want to efficiently light your pipe, use a BIC or matches. Anything beyond BIC or matches is style points.

 

[pipesmokingtom]

*functionality of a Zippo in the wind notwithstanding.

 

[roddypiper]

Do you not taste the fuel from a zippo?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Let it burn for a second before lighting the pipe.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I got by for a long time on Bics, sometimes they're still the best thing you can get (matches also leave a bunch of half burned stems).

Just flip it upside down at a 45 degree angle so the flame shoots into the bowl.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Anything beyond BIC or matches is style points."
Totally agree. My preference is for the angled type of soft flame butane lighters. Yes they only last a few months (made in China you see) before the 'clicker' gives out but at about £5 for six on Amazon they're a good deal.
These here 'fancy' lighters at £80+ are all well and good until they too give up the ghost (and they will)...leaving you much more out of pocket.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[fitzy]

Kiribi.
Also I prefer Djeep over BIC and cheap BIC knock offs as you can keep your thumb farther away from the flame.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Anything beyond BIC or matches is style points.

You could make a case that a cheap refillable lighter is more cost efficient than a series of BICs. Or you couldn't. I'd cost more to do the study than you'd save!

 

[weezell]

Nothing beats matches, a Bic

Paper matches and a cheap ass Bic. Nuff said...

 

[hobie1dog]

Just Google up vintage lighters and read up on all of them since you like auctions and estate sales, instead of listening to all these personal preferences.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Gas:Kiribi Kabuto, Peterson, Bic

Fuel: Zippo with pipe insert ,and of course nothin will beat wooden matches for initial light

 

[newbroom]

I use my bic to light my wick and have soft, clean, lights that last as long as I care to keep lit.

A shake and a pinch of the wick after and you're ready for the next use. Even relights. It's second nature to me now.