Pipe Lighters

[peckinpahhombre]

By the way, a few years ago we were driving through Bradford PA on a road trip. Took a tour of the Zippo center. It was cool, if you like zippos. They had a neat little museum on the history of the lighter. The shop had pretty much every zippo you could possibly imagine.

 

[captainsousie]

Another vote for Zippo here. I love my old Nimrod but the Zippo is easier to use and more reliable. Plus, if your Zippo doesn't have a pipe insert, send it in and they give you one (except if it's a slimline which won't take a pipe insert).

 

[uberam3rica]

I typically use matches, but when I use a lighter I use a Bic or something similar. I would love to get an old Nimrod lighter though.

 

[ohin3]

I used to use disposable Bics but I broke down last year and bought an Old Boy. I wanted to stop throwing away lighters and I have a thing for well made classical things. I can't recommend them enough. they are a bit on the pricey side, but worth it if you have the dough. Otherwise I would stick with the disposable Bics.

 

[rhogg]

Got a Xicar pipeline. It has been back to the factory 4 times. I would go for a Jet Line if you are looking for a good cheap refillable.

 

[zonomo]

I don't recommend Zippos at all, but I may be a lone voice here in that regard. I think the lighter fluid affects the flavor of what you're smoking

I ended up buying 4 of them because I think Zips are pretty cool (and you and do a lot of tricks with them if you're in to that sorta thing, I am) but this post is accurate. There is a distinctive "fuel smell" with Zips. I dont know abou the taste per se. Just ordered Tsubota Pearl Queue Solid Stick Lighter in Red and Black Chrome. Then I ordered a Tsubota Pearl EDDIE because someone at the Seattle Pipe Meeting said if he was on a desert island and could only have 1 lighter, it would be this one. I arrives this week.

 

[zonomo]

It's just ridiculous to spend a lot of money on a lighter when there so cheap and available everywhere.

It's only ridiculous if you can't afford it. One can make the same argument for clothing, watches, cars, or almost anything. It just depends of the value the spender puts on any product. A BMW 540 basically gets me to the store at the same speed as a car 1/3 the price. And yet, they sell like hot cakes.

 

[darkwoods]

Anyone know anything about this lighter "Tsubota Pearl Eddie”? I have been reading about it online. They are suppose to be really well made. Thoughts? Thank you!
http://pipesandcigars.com/pepilibydr.html

 

[darkwoods]

haha... missed zonomo's post

 

[sergemoat]

I've got a Tsubota Pearl Eddie lighter. The only issue for me was under the flip top there is a spring and a little "T" made of plastic that fell out/broke. I emailed Tsubota's customer service and they sent me 2 from Japan.
I'm able to adjust the flame with my fingernail.

 

[auspipe]

I use a regular zippo, but can get frustrating having to fill it and replace flints.

Thinking of getting a cheap pipe lighter, maybe a Jobon off ebay.

 

[darkwoods]

Thank you roth and serge...

 

[sergemoat]

Oh yeah, about the Eddie, I'm not sure if my flame adjustment/fuel is bad but mine seems to get pretty black and sooty around the flip cap.

 

[voorhees]

I have Zippos, but remembering to refill can be a pain. I mostly use the small Bics, as they are easy to carry and I keep about 4-5 around at all times. And they are small enough to fit into the bowl of most of my pipes.
-Jason

 

[dragonslayer]

I'd love to try one of the expensive lighters but I usually use diamond matches and I have a nice 3 jet- Jetliner cigar lighter turned way down when I'm lazy or out. Just can't see spending $100 on a lighter when it's a lot of tobacco for the cellar.

 

[slownumbers39]

Day to day I use disposable Bic's. I also use a really nice Zippo lighter with the pipe insert and like it quite a lot.
If you just want a lighter for day to day use and don't have much for bucks, suggest the Bic's.

 

[winton]

Zippo for me. I have Bics, but I keep burning my fingers. Coordination is not my strong point.

 

[mso489]

I recommend matches. Lighters are convenient, portable, and some are downright nifty as objects and

tools. Some are beautiful as fine pipes. I think pipe smoking is a quiet and deliberative activity, and

therefore the efficiency of lighters is not a benefit. Maybe we shouldn't be in a hurry here. I really don't

like the little blow torches that ignite the tobacco in the bottom of the bowl. The smell of lighter fluid,

or even a little whiff of butane is really not the way to start a smoke. Hey, this is all subjective. For

folks who love their lighters and wouldn't be without them, I say, good. They just factor out my objections

and enjoy a smoke their way. I only want to point out that the simplicity (and hassle) of matches is part

of the experience for a lot of us. Just take it into consideration. Maybe matches are your "thing" too.

 

[hfearly]

Old Boy the best of the lot.

No doubt, but not everyone can fork over $100-$150 for a lighter.

+1 to Old Boy. After your fourth crappy lighter for 30$ (because you went "cheapo") died on you and you are banging your head against the wall because you want to smoke yer pipe and can't, you finally realize that the 100$ bucks for an Old Boy wouldn't have been a bad investment in the first place. And you end up paying double (120$ for 4 lighters that crapped out and 120$ for an Old Boy that you'll have the rest of your life).

Got a Xicar pipeline. It has been back to the factory 4 times. I would go for a Jet Line if you are looking for a good cheap refillable.

Yeah I had one of those, too. Lasts about 6 months before you have to get it replaced. Now, it has lifetime warranty and my local B&M guy just kept on exchanging it in-store no questions asked, but he told me that him selling the dang Xicar lighters will be the end of him eventually...

 

[timely]

Tsubota Lighters are really nice, have 2 of them But I prefer my Old Boy Lighter.