I use a zippo with a pipe insert works well for me. No off taste or rim Charing. I also lick my finger and wet the rim before lighting my pipe.Most likely the rim—briar— is being smudged, not really damaged. But the main point is any source of flame can be used to gently light tobacco without damage to any part of the pipe. It's easy to put too much flame onto the tobacco. Just pull the flame's tip to near the tobacco.
Matches are as easy as anything, and have the least chance of doing harm.