The Best Soft Flame Lighter Brand and Model

[carolinachurchwarden]

You should be able to enjoy it quite nicely. I absolutely love mine and likely won't ever go back to the regular zippo insert again, at least not to light my pipe. The smell of a zippo and its fluid is nostalgic for me in a way. Love the way they smell, just not for lighting my pipe.

 

[jmsmitty6]

I have a Xikar Resource Pipe lighter that has worked great for the last 4 years. The new model, the Resource II has tools, electronic ignition, a fuel window and a lifetime warranty.

 

[64alex]

For me it is always a long sulfur free match for initial ignition and 1st relight and then usually hemp wick in the second half of the bowl. They are both softer than butane even if sometime I use also butane lighter for relight. You can find people saying that it does not matter how hot is the source because you can adjust the distance to the tobacco making any source the same heating degree at the tobacco surface. This is correct but the problem is that with hottest sources you have to stay more away from the pipe so it is more difficult to control the flame. I prefer having the heating source just 1/4, 1/2 inch above the heading upward away from the bowl, as with matches and with hemp wick, in this way I can control the situation much better. About the Zippo with pipe insert could represent an alternative if you don't mind the possible little bit of smell, my main turn down with Zippo is to deal with liqudis and it's quick evaporation.

 

[artificialme]

Kitchen lighter. If you have problem with bic lighter, use kitchen lighter. longer neck means your finger doesn't burn :D

 

[lavarockpuffer]

Kiribi Kabuto...going on two years.

When it started to act up I sent it to smokingpipes and it

was serviced and returned promptly with No charge.

It’s still smooth and good flame.

Worth the price for reliability

 

[whiteburleydude]

Inside Old Boy, outside Zippo.

 

[jpmcwjr]

If you can't light a pipe with a cheap paper match, or consistently burn yourself or your pipe with any method, please, go back to the drawing board. Shouldn't be happening.

 

[crashthegrey]

I'd recommend a hot coal from the fire, but if you burn yourself on a Bic, I'm afraid to suggest it. :puffpipe:

 

[cajomu]

I've used Zippo pipe lighters exclusively for more than twenty years. They are inexpensive and reliable. Also, you'll never scorch your pipe bowl using a Zippo.
As for those who claim they can taste the fuel from a Zippo, I don't buy it. The fuel is highly volatile so, once combusted, it burns completely and cleanly. Try an experiment: light your Zippo and try to smell the fuel while it is burning. You won't be able to.
My only gripe about Zippos is that you can't take them through security at U.S. airports.

 

[jpmcwjr]

They are inexpensive and reliable. Also, you'll never scorch your pipe bowl using a Zippo.

Patently false. If you added "if used properly", I'd agree.

 

[woodsroad]

Oh, wait
I’m supposed light the tobacco?

 

[spcava]

I have used everything from the grill lighter, bic, standard zippo, zippo butane insert, and finally an Old Boy. I never minded the taste of the zippo fluid because it was only noticeable for the first couple puffs. I went to the butane insert because I travel a lot and did not want to carry zippo fluid with me everywhere. It just dries out so fast. The butane insert is nice, but I went through two that were finicky after a few months of use. I finally splurged on the Old Boy and do not regret it. This might sound ridiculous, but it actually adds to the enjoyment of the lighting-smoking process.
If you do not need something pocket friendly, it is really hard to beat the grill lighter. Get one that is refillable and enjoy precise lighting with no chance of burning your thumb!

 

[philairfoil]

My Dad told me "Some people have more dollars than sense"...That said, there is a joy in using a fine machine.
I have too many lighters, I suppose, according to my father...dozens of 'em, from $1 to...around 150$.
I'm currently using a rotation of four... a Kiribi, a Sarome, a Cardin and recently added a DuPont Chinese knock-off.
I will say the Japanese make a more 'precision' feeling, longer lasting lighter than the Chinese. The English (Dunhill) and French (Dupont) made lighters your gonna pay too much for what you need to do...unless money is no object. The USA Zippo is absolutely the most reliable, but it uses fluid.
Probably should have listened to Pop and kept to matches...I'm spoiled now.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Is the Chinese "DuPont" not of good construction? I have some, and they seem very well constructed. Or is your comment based on other Chinese products?

 

[philairfoil]

Well, it's too early to tell...only had it a few days, but so far so good. (Thanks to that thread on them) It doesn't seem to be as well machined as a typical Japanese or of course a Dunhill and the 'distinctive Dupont ping' sound...I guess you gotta get used to it...The wife says it sounds like a bell. For 25$ I'll likely get another. I doubt the bums I hang with will know it's a fake...or know what a real one costs.
More dollars then sense...but only to a point.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

I have Peterson Old Boy model reserved for indoors use,solid construction and I presume they do those somewhere in Japan,As a side note,I don't bother to take it outside,pretty much useless there due to a soft fable flame.

 

[pepesdad1]

If you can find one...a Beattie jet lighter (from the 60's)...soft flame and runs on zippo fluid...buy one and you'll never use anything else.

 

[64alex]

As I like Hemp wick I just got an FlicWick Hemp wick dispenser. It uses a mini bic lighter and an hemp wick. It is a single handed operation like a butane lighter but it light an hemp wick which IMO is better particularly in the second half of the bowl. If you use a ticker wick (1 or 2 mm in diameter) it is also definitely more wind resistent than butane.

 

[dethmutt]

I use a Zippo Pipe version.. Its black with a pipe on the side... I just bought an imitation Ole boy, from Mr Brog, I think.. Once I changed the flint it works Awesome... But I do feel nostalgic about the finger snap open of the zippo...
Some things are just ritual! the Zip is just fun...

 

[btwes7]

Ha - mentioned my Xikar Resource II earlier in the thread and it crapped out on me last night.