Zippo Pipe Lighters...Opinions Please!

[MartyA]

I actually hate the Zippos lighter made for pipes with the hole on the side. I have to suck really hard just to get the flame down into the pipe. I don't have a lot of experience sucking hard though. I just prefer using a regular zippos and tilt it into the pipe and think it works better.

This was really interesting to me. Today, when I stepped outside with my pipe and book, I tried using my old "standard" type Zippo. I found I get along much better getting an even light with my pipe Zippo with the hole in the side... I just hold it over my pipe and draw the flame down. Maybe I'm a "puffer."

I tend to read books about anything I'm interested in, and while my pipe books offer many opinions, they differ quite a bit in their statements and advice. I suppose this is another one of those things where there is no right and wrong. We all tend to wind up doing what works for us.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I actually hate the Zippos lighter made for pipes with the hole on the side. I have to suck really hard just to get the flame down into the pipe.

Works better if your packing has zero resistance and you lay the Zippo chimney on the rim of the pipe.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You mention that the Z-Pipe handles well outside... Is it actually somewhat windproof? I'd like a butane lighter so I could quit squirting fuel into my Zippo every day after I smoke, but so far I haven't found a soft flame butane lighter that will work in the slightest breeze.

Perhaps you could change your method in lighting in a breeze.

 

[MartyA]

Perhaps you could change your method in lighting in a breeze.

I'd be open to it, and perfectly happy to do so, but every soft flame butane lighter I've tried blows out with the slightest puff of air.

 

[jpmcwjr]

You have to shield it, with hands mostly. A tree, building, car, golf cart, out house- anything almost can help provide cover.

 

[MartyA]

You have to shield it, with hands mostly. A tree, building, car, golf cart, out house- anything almost can help provide cover.

I'd hate to explode the outhouse...

 

[Reggie]

I find getting the initial char light can be difficult at times, but one that is accomplished I have no difficult drawing the flame down. I usually end up doing a 2 stage char light

A slight cant to one side helps me a little for the charring light. Regular zippo for me .

 

[Reggie]

I'd hate to explode the outhouse...

Or get struck by a moving car or golf cart ……

 

[jagsdriver]

To be honest, I have a plethora of lighters including high end. The one I go to almost all the time? A zippo. They are not a pipe incinerator aka butane. With the new fuel, it is much less in imparting fumes, just let it burn for a few seconds before lighting the tobacco.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Butane doesn't incinerate pipes; people do!

Seriously, user error with any method can damage a pipe.

 

[dottlejockey]

I like my zippo, but prefer butane for pipes. I have a cheapo spigot style pipe lighter that's worked great for well over a decade now. Closer to 15 yrs, methinks. Anyway, the zippo pipe insert i had was just gifted to my nephew (as he wanted to try one and loves zippos and pipes), so i jumped on Amazon to try out the Thunderbird zippo pipe lighter insert. Uses butane in stead of zippo fluid, doesn't leak and is odorless/flavorless. Will give that one a go.

 

[BrightDarkEyes]

Here is my update on my Zippo trial. I bought a vintage brass Zippo with the chimney insert and for good measure I also got a solid brass pipe insert by Zorro. The fluid I used was the black label Zippo one.

I really wanted to love using my Zippo but I tasted the fuel no matter what. I will stick with hemp wick, matches and butane.

Ron Burgundy sums up my experience best:

 

[jagsdriver]

Butane doesn't incinerate pipes; people do!

Seriously, user error with any method can damage a pipe.

Absolutely, user error happens but things can go south very fast with butane. Lighter fluid burns at 1000 degrees F, butane burns at around 4000 degrees F

 

[Hillcrest]

My bics ran out of fuel and I had to use wooden matches for awhile. That got tiresome quickly. A friend had left me some zippos. I fueled up a faux scrimshaw one with a ship and lighthouse on it that looked fairly new with old Rossignol fuel. Its still running strong after two weeks. It did take a few bowls to get the proper angle down in the wind. It works well but I may pick up a bic to keep on hand. I don't notice the scent translating into the bowl or tobacco although you can get it in the sinuses for a second or two.

 

[OverMountain]

I really like the butane ones. No zippo fluid taste.

 

[JoeW]

This is lighter I'm using at the time. Seems to be durable. I dropped it a couple of times. I have another one like it, but without the pipe stand. Both are butane lighters, and both purchased from the "GREAT AMAZON".

I have one of these too, and use it all the time now. It works quite well and has never let me down

 

[lupy1234]

I dislike zippo for pipes. I taste the fuel. Done everything from reading the instructions to all suggestions online.

 

[Copperhead]

Yes, Zippo all the way. Still carry a bic for when it runs dry, though.

 

[Hillcrest]

Works better if your packing has zero resistance and you lay the Zippo chimney on the rim of the pipe.

Thank you ! That works great ! Although I hold it slightly above the rim or just let the edge of chimney touch the inner rim of pipe. It gives a better, quicker light than bic but I did buy a bic for backup and to have one in the house. It took a few tries to get used to it in the wind but once you get it, you get it. In fact a breeze really boosts the flame a bit.

 

[Indygrap]

I’ve almost always had a Zippo in my pocket since I was 15. Reliable, durable, affordable, & iconic. I keep a Bic handy for when I neglect to fill it, but otherwise it’s all I use.
It’s a good idea to let the flame burn off the vapor before putting it to your tobacco, but they simply can not be beat