This looks like it could be a major contender!
Pipe Lighter - Leads and Recommendations
- Thread starter Beowoulf
- Start date
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I used a Zippo with the pipe insert for 20 years. I just picked up an IM Corona Old Boy on a Black Friday sale for $100, and I absolutely love the thing.
Zippo with a pipe insert - can't go wrong. Easy to change wicks, cotton and flints, works everytime even in windy conditions. Might cost ya around $30 bucks or so. Only down size is if you're tobacco is right up to the rim, a charring light can be a pain to achieve I've found. If you're below the rim you'll have no problem.
I hate pipe lighters. Fiddly, unreliable things -- and compared to the cost of matches, the economics of quality lighters are completely upside down. These however I didn't know existed. Will give them a try.
I bought a Condor at Victory Pipes (Oshawa, On). What I wanted were pipe cleaners and other accessories but decided to give it a try when I saw them. I honestly never heard of that brand, did not even look for reviews. This will either be a hit or miss. I've spent much more money in the past on lighters and ended up disappointed. So, who knows, this just might be the one for me. I seem to have seen quite a few members in our community with similar types of lighters and they appear to like them. So...fingers crossed.
I don't know if $70 (CAD) qualifies as inexpensive for you, but I'm including the link in case you have an interest. They offer 3 finishes.
Shop Online Tobacco Pipe Accessories & Pipe Cleaners
Whether you need tobacco pipe cleaners, new filters, or safe storage while they at home or on the go, we have all your pipe accessories needs covered.victorypipes.ca
I'm going to second the Condor, I've been really impressed with it, especially at the price point. I found one easily on the US Amazon site, so I would hope you could find it on Canada's as well. Happy hunting!
Amazon (but USA)
Never will go wrong with a bic or Zippo. I use both, along with matches, and it doesn't cost anything crazy.
Croc has a similar style lighter that are currently sold at the Dollar Tree. In other words, same concept with a cheaper price.
Another vote for the Zippo with pipe insert. I use Bics occasionally, but they burn my thumb. Djeeps aren't bad either, but I kind of enjoy fiddling with the Zippos.
I actually find the regular zippo insert to be better for me than the pipe insert. I have to try too hard to get the bowl lit with the pipe insert.
Matches. Unless you got some wicked weather, matches, especially sulfur-free cigar matches, are the way to go. Low intensity flame, ease of control, doesn't impart a nasty flavor, etc.
Let me put it this way. Imagine you have two fires going and each has a spit with meat roasting above each. One fire is made from quality firewood. The other is made from old McDonald's sweet tea cups and McChicken wrappers. Which roast do you think will taste better? Why, it's just a flame, and any flame works just as well as any other, right? Nah. Common sense tells us the food not roasted by a flame fueled by garbage will likely be better.
With tobacco, because of the charring/false light(s), we have to let it contact flame a good deal, to say nothing of relights. If you light with something that isn't geared towards consumables, don't be surprised if it imparts a nasty flavor. Sure, it will go away in a minute or two, but why do that to yourself? Especially when matches are so cheap to begin with. Quality matches, and then save the bic/zippo/whatever for quick relights. It's the way to go, in my humble opinion. I usually use Arango cigar matches and the zippo with a pipe insert for quick relights. It works like a charm and is economical.
Let me put it this way. Imagine you have two fires going and each has a spit with meat roasting above each. One fire is made from quality firewood. The other is made from old McDonald's sweet tea cups and McChicken wrappers. Which roast do you think will taste better? Why, it's just a flame, and any flame works just as well as any other, right? Nah. Common sense tells us the food not roasted by a flame fueled by garbage will likely be better.
With tobacco, because of the charring/false light(s), we have to let it contact flame a good deal, to say nothing of relights. If you light with something that isn't geared towards consumables, don't be surprised if it imparts a nasty flavor. Sure, it will go away in a minute or two, but why do that to yourself? Especially when matches are so cheap to begin with. Quality matches, and then save the bic/zippo/whatever for quick relights. It's the way to go, in my humble opinion. I usually use Arango cigar matches and the zippo with a pipe insert for quick relights. It works like a charm and is economical.
Well, I made a commitment. I just went to Canadian Tire and spent $3.79 (Canadian) on a Bic EZ Reach lighter. Seems to meet my earlier-stated qualifications. Works well. Not much status, though. LOL I'll try to hide it in my hand whenever I am smoking where other people are around.
99% of my time smoking is by myself. Believe it or not, if I go out, I'm more likely to take a bic with me to avoid having one of my nice lighters lost or stolen. I just enjoy using a well made instrument to light my pipe.
It's also economic. Smoking 5 or 6 bowls per day, I probably light 15 to 25 times. I'm guessing I'd go through 2 to 4 bic lighters per month. That's around $12 per month which means I would pay for the.Old Boy in less than 10 months.
Just any of these choices would work for you until you decide you want and can afford the lighter.
Cheapest upfront doesn't always equate to best value or ROI over time.
A zippo with a pipe insert has a lifetime warranty, cost less than $20, and will work in a hurricane. 
IM Corona Old Boy.
OK, it's not cheap, USD130 or so. But I have to say it's pretty solid. Overhauls shouldn't be too expensive either, but I do my own.
Repaired a few Dunhill Rollagas too, but parts are hard to get.
OK, it's not cheap, USD130 or so. But I have to say it's pretty solid. Overhauls shouldn't be too expensive either, but I do my own.
Repaired a few Dunhill Rollagas too, but parts are hard to get.