Old Boy in the Wind

[Winnipeger]

I'm thinking about getting something other than a Bic lighter, but I smoke outside a lot. Bics don't work very well when they get cold — then — a little bit of wind and forget about it. That describes my winter smoking experience on some days. (Hemp wick is helpful because it holds a flame better, but that's a discussion for another thread.)

So, what's the consensus regarding IM Corona Old Boys. Do they work very well when it's a little windy, or is a Zippo pipe lighter preferable?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Do they work very well when it's a little windy

If you cup the lighter and flame with your hand while facing the wind they're doable.

 

[trouttimes]

I’ve not had any luck with my old boy in a breeze. That’s when I grab my bic.

 

[Winnipeger]

If you cup the lighter and flame with your hand while facing the wind they're doable.

Yeah, but I can do that with a bic. Is an OB any BETTER than a bic in the wind?

 

[Winnipeger]

I guess if I rephrase my question, in order or crappiness in the wind, from bic to matches, where do IM Coronas and Zippos rank?

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Yeah, but I can do that with a bic. Is an OB any BETTER than a bic in the wind?

Old Boy = Virtually useless in the wind

If I’m smoking a pipe on the porch, I usually have to go inside to relight.

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

Yeah, but I can do that with a bic. Is an OB any BETTER than a bic in the wind?

Not to me, and I am otherwise very satisfied Old Boy user. At least as problematic as a bic

 

[Winnipeger]

Old Boy = Virtually useless in the wind

If I’m smoking a pipe on the porch, I usually have to go inside to relight.

What about a Zippo?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yeah, but I can do that with a bic. Is an OB any BETTER than a bic in the wind?

A Bic is much better in the wind.

 

[Chasing Embers]

What about a Zippo?

Those work fine in the wind.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Old Boy near useless in the wind. Zippo with pipe insert probably the best. When I smoke playing golf, I use cobs with a wind cap. I also use a single flame torch as I don't care if it eventually burns out the cob. I certainly wouldn't purpose that with a decent briar but I have not damaged the cob perceptably to date.

 

[Winnipeger]

I guess I'm sold on a Zippo. Never owned one with the pipe insert. A torch lighter might be fine if you hold the flame away from the chamber? I can see how you might risk scorching the rim. Smoking in the wind is not ideal, but getting a good even light is the hardest part.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I guess I'm sold on a Zippo. Never owned one with the pipe insert. A torch lighter might be fine if you hold the flame away from the chamber? I can see how you might risk scorching the rim. Smoking in the wind is not ideal, but getting a good even light is the hardest part.

When I use the torch, I try to keep it in the center and a very short burst. I'm surprised how little it has scorched the rim especially since I don't really care. I'll bet I could smoke several hundred bowls in the cob that way before a burn out.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I have several OB’s, nice lighters but they don’t work very well with even the lightest breeze. Zippo with a pipe insert is were its at. It’ll work in a hurricane, it’s cheap, and it’s got a lifetime warranty.

 

[Winnipeger]

Bought this one. Thanks for the feedback. You guys saved me about 100$ on an Old Boy.

 

[MGAOKC]

Always wanted to try an Old Boy.
But I use Zippo’s, reg. and pipe inserts.
I live in Oklahoma we have ton’s of wind.
I smoke out side twice a day on break at work and have no problem with my Zippo’s.

 

[onestrangeone]

Yeah, but I can do that with a bic. Is an OB any BETTER than a bic in the wind?

No. I love my old boy but if there’s anything more than a light breeze it’s useless.

 

[anotherbob]

If you cup the lighter and flame with your hand while facing the wind they're doable.

works with matches too.

 

[bullet08]

Give him a coat. He might catch pneumonia.

 

[captpat]

Soft butane lighters (OB, Pipemaster, Rollagas, BIC, etc.) and matches, are all a bit problematic in the wind they can be made to work up to a certain wind velocity. Zippos and cigar (torch) lighters are a better bet in windy conditions, though as observed above cigar lighters require extra care to avoid damaging the pipe.