I have a zippo pipe lighter laying around that I have not used that much because, for me at least, I think there is a problematic downside to it. At the beginning of the bowl, there is no problems using it. But from mid to end of the bowl, especially if it is a larger and wider bowl-size, I find myself having to draw quite hard to get the flame down to light the tobacco, and this easily leads to tounge bite. I find it very counter-intuitive to having to draw a lot, and hard, to get the flame down to light the tobacco. So I'm curious how you can make it work. Is this simply a beginners mistake that can easily be overcome with some practice and refined skill? Or is this simply a serious downside of using a zippo? Anyone else who had this problem?
The Downside of a Zippo, or Beginner's Mistake?
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My smallest pipes have 2 inch deep chambers and I haven't had any issue with lighting with a Zippo. I'd say it's just a technique you need to work on if you plan to continue using it.
Try an exercise...practice lighting a new bowl without actually touching the flame to the tobacco and see how far above the tobacco you can hold that flame and still ignite (also watch how your draw impacts all of that). You will be surprised that the flame does not have to actually contact to light the tobacco and also that the draw needed is not that strong. Once you see that on a new bowl, just remember that on relights (which ignite easier than a new bowl anyway). You don't need to draw that flame down very far to reignite it. Then address relights in general. Too many relights after mid-bowl often means tight pack...either started that way and/or tamping is too heavy along the way.
Yup. I only use a Zippo in the car, and I much prefer the standard chimney, but it works better than anything else I've tried for mindlessly lighting a pipe while one's attention is drawn to other things. And I have never yet scorched a rim doing this; you just tilt the pipe slightly and do it kind of quickly, whether freshly filled or dottle. The flame is big, soft, and effective.
A lot of guys use zippos without any scorching or whatever.
I don't have the patience to light my pipe with a zippo, I love the zippo for cigars.
True be dat. I was trying to obviate any related objections. Stopped short of the hydrocarbon scent nonsense.
There's not really a downside to a Zippo. Patience grasshopper.
Some good advice already! I do like the feel of the zippo, so will practice some more to learn the proper technique. 
I never use my Zippo pipe lighter as the flame is just too unwieldy. I only use my IM Corona Pipemasters as the flame works perfectly, the lighter has a built in tamper and the fuel tank is a good size. I have IM Corona Old Boys but like my Pipemasters much better. No dealing with flints and having a longer tamper and bigger fuel tank makes the Pipemaster my favorite.
Yes, that is arguably another downside with zippo, it is difficult to control the flame to produce an even burn. But the zippo fans will probably insist this is more a matter of tamping than lighting, no? But still, you can only tamp once the tobacco has burnt, so spreading the flame evenly seems important nevertheless.
The only time that I've had any problems with a pipe insert was when the wick had burned down some from low fuel. As long as the wick was about center of the opening or slightly above there was always a long enough flame to reach the bottom of my deepest bowl. Just my experience...
Proper use of the Zippo lighter is often evasive for some. Proper adjustment of the wick is necessary for either chimney. I prefer the regular chimney over the pipe style. I've used both but, the regular chimney works equally well for cigarettes, cigars as well as pipes for me. There is a bit of a learning curve, how much to tip the pipe and the relative position of the light to the bowl top. Those easily frustrated probably should shy away from the ubiquitous Zippo as it appears straight forward but, there is a slight learning curve. There's nothing arcane with regard to its use just a bit of attention to the wick length, if out of doors, where the wind is coming from and the proper relationship of lighter to bowl. Millions of smokers own and use the Zippo. I'm guessing there are a few smokers who can't quite figure it out. Some people never grasp how to drive a car. Just one of life's inequities I suppose.
A careful attention to the directions included with a new Zippo also helps. This is especially true for inhibiting any fuel taste. Some pipe smokers never really understand the need to let the lighter burn a second or so before applying to whatever is to be smoked.
A careful attention to the directions included with a new Zippo also helps. This is especially true for inhibiting any fuel taste. Some pipe smokers never really understand the need to let the lighter burn a second or so before applying to whatever is to be smoked.
Works fine for me. But I have noticed another side effect of the pipe type lighter. The wick tends to carbon up faster making it harder to light than a regular chimney style and will require more regular cleaning. That’s the only problems I’ve encountered
Either your bowl is packed too tight or you are sucking on that pipe too hard. The tobacco in the pipe should be already charred and few very light pulls should get it going. Also, sucking the flame that hard to the bottom of the bowl could possibly damage it after awhile.
That's not an issue I have encountered, but I can see it being an issue if you have your wick both too short and it is shot all to hell and have a particularly deep bowl to contend with. Lengthen the wick a tad and practice a bit.
The issue I do run into is that I find using a zippo for a false light can impart a slightly odd taste if you have to make several passes. For me, the zippo is for relights and/or inclement weather. When I can, for false lights especially, sulphur-free matches, all day every day. Arango cigar matches are particularly wondeful for this; they have a soft flame, impart no taste, and it is very easy to have full control of the flame provided you've no wind or rain at you. If your false light is good and your tampering is done correctly, then most of the time a quick pass or two with the ole zip will be more than enough to keep on smoking. It's a combo that has improved my experience greatly.
The issue I do run into is that I find using a zippo for a false light can impart a slightly odd taste if you have to make several passes. For me, the zippo is for relights and/or inclement weather. When I can, for false lights especially, sulphur-free matches, all day every day. Arango cigar matches are particularly wondeful for this; they have a soft flame, impart no taste, and it is very easy to have full control of the flame provided you've no wind or rain at you. If your false light is good and your tampering is done correctly, then most of the time a quick pass or two with the ole zip will be more than enough to keep on smoking. It's a combo that has improved my experience greatly.
Main downside to a Zippo is that it makes pipe tobacco taste like a gas station to me.
I've got a few Zippo lighters (with and without pipe inserts).
I like the zippo with pipe insert for a very bent stem, because leaning the pipe over can be awkward with the bend.
I tend to char the rim when using a standard zippo chimney insert.
A former thread where people gave me some good advice: Is a Zippo Pipe Insert Really Better? :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/is-a-zippo-pipe-insert-really-better.89951/
I occasionally use matches for the false light, especially for folded flake.
I like the zippo with pipe insert for a very bent stem, because leaning the pipe over can be awkward with the bend.
I tend to char the rim when using a standard zippo chimney insert.
A former thread where people gave me some good advice: Is a Zippo Pipe Insert Really Better? :: General Pipe Smoking Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/is-a-zippo-pipe-insert-really-better.89951/
I occasionally use matches for the false light, especially for folded flake.
I think a too short wick on my zippo might have been what caused the problem for me. After readjusting it the flame has better reach. But I'm temporarly off the pipe because I'm recovering from a cold, so I will have to try it later. 