Pipe Lighting Implements

General pipe discussion

What do you regularly use to light your pipe?

Good ol' fashioned matches
14
33%
Cheap Bic type lighter
9
21%
Zippo type lighter
3
7%
Dedicated pipe lighter
15
35%
Torch shape lighter
0
No votes
Permanent metal match
1
2%
The fiery breath of my wife
1
2%
 
Total votes: 43

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UncleDraken
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Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by UncleDraken »

Good morning/afternoon/evening chaps!

I haven't been smoking my pipe for very long at all, I might still be able to count the amount of times I've packed a bowl on the fingers of 2 hands! But I've just been wondering what the majority of you folks use to light up? I'm using matches at the moment, but since it's illegal in the UK to smoke indoors unless you're at home I often find myself lighting a match only to have it put out immediately by the wind :@
It just got me taking a quick look at lighters online and got me wondering if you guys ever bother with the expensive ones, buy the cheap-ass disposables or if you stick with matches? Is there a popular method or is it down to personal preference? Are the dedicated pipe lighters much better than your normal Zippo/Bic shapes?
Brent

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Albert Einstein
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rijks
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by rijks »

A lot of pipe smokers in france like the "old boy" from Corona !

Best regards,
Patrick Rijks
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UncleDraken
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by UncleDraken »

Oh that's pretty cool! Looks like it's a dedicated pipe lighter. I'll have to check it out a bit more :)
Brent

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Albert Einstein
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WCannoy
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by WCannoy »

Yep. The IM Corona Old Boy...
http://www.smokingpipes.com/accessories ... ct_id=6142
I have the black matte version, although after over a decade of constant use most of the matte finish has worn off. Still works like a charm!

It's the last pipe lighter you'll ever buy!

Here's mine!
Image
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Ocelot55
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by Ocelot55 »

If you are out in the wind a lot the Old Boy won't do. It's a fantastic lighter, but not worth a spit in the wind. In my experience the only lighter that works relatively under windy conditions is a Zippo pipe lighter. You wind up tasting the fluid for the first several puffs, but after that its all normal.
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UncleDraken
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by UncleDraken »

WCannoy wrote:Yep. The IM Corona Old Boy...
http://www.smokingpipes.com/accessories ... ct_id=6142
I have the black matte version, although after over a decade of constant use most of the matte finish has worn off. Still works like a charm!

It's the last pipe lighter you'll ever buy!
Over a decade with the same lighter?? Geez that has me convinced.
I am in the breeze a fair amount though since I don't want the smell of old tobacco smoke permanently inside my house and when at the pub it's required by law that you sit outside. Would you be able to comment on the 'windproof-ness' from your own experience Mr. Cannoy?
Ocelot55 wrote:If you are out in the wind a lot the Old Boy won't do. It's a fantastic lighter, but not worth a spit in the wind. In my experience the only lighter that works relatively under windy conditions is a Zippo pipe lighter. You wind up tasting the fluid for the first several puffs, but after that its all normal.
I didn't know Zippo did dedicated pipe lighters. As long as the fluid taste goes away quick enough I might be inclined towards this one. Definitely gonna check it out.

Thanks for the tips guys!
Brent

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Albert Einstein
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WCannoy
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by WCannoy »

The Old Boy is a fine lighter, stylish, ergonomic, built like a tank and reliable as hell. As far as wind resistance goes, it's no better than any other non-torch type of butane lighter. It has rarely been a problem for me as I just cup my hand around the flame when I light up, if needed.

Zippo does make a pipe lighter! Here's mine:

Image

It is made to hold sideways over the bowl of the pipe as you draw the flame down into it.

It is about as old and about as dependable as the IM Corona Old Boy. I used to carry it around as a backup lighter, but still there is that lighter fluid taste. I had a friend who filled his with some sort of alcohol that burned with less odor, but I think he had a problem with the fluid evaporating too quickly between use.
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WCannoy
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by WCannoy »

Also, I think I remember someone saying that if you have a regular Zippo, and send it to the factory, they'll replace the insert with the pipe insert for free at your request...
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SchmidtN
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by SchmidtN »

I received a Xikar Scribe lighter as a gift. It's pretty spiffy and does well in the wind.

https://www.xikar.com/products/lighters/scribe/#
Hello, I'm #1312.
That's a really big number.
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UncleDraken
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by UncleDraken »

WCannoy wrote:The Old Boy is a fine lighter, stylish, ergonomic, built like a tank and reliable as hell. As far as wind resistance goes, it's no better than any other non-torch type of butane lighter. It has rarely been a problem for me as I just cup my hand around the flame when I light up, if needed.

Zippo does make a pipe lighter!

It is made to hold sideways over the bowl of the pipe as you draw the flame down into it.

It is about as old and about as dependable as the IM Corona Old Boy. I used to carry it around as a backup lighter, but still there is that lighter fluid taste. I had a friend who filled his with some sort of alcohol that burned with less odor, but I think he had a problem with the fluid evaporating too quickly between use.
Hmmm.... I think I'd be willing to risk the fluid taste. And if they'll replace the insert for free then that frees me up to look at all the fun designs instead of just the minor few with pipe inserts! It would be great if I could find a couple of people with these lighters and test them out. I could see if the fluid taste bothers me and if the Old Boy fares well enough in the wind for where I smoke.
SchmidtN wrote:I received a Xikar Scribe lighter as a gift. It's pretty spiffy and does well in the wind.

https://www.xikar.com/products/lighters/scribe/#
Thanks, I checked that out. I've never heard of that brand before. The length of it seems to make the lighting process less fiddly, which is nice. I think it's a bit large for me though. A Zippo shape would fit better in my pocket.


It's interesting to see the stats on the poll, matches are still very popular.

Thank you for the tips! I knew I could count on you fellows for decent information!
Brent

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Albert Einstein
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BigCasino
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by BigCasino »

I have a bunch of old nimrod lighters, I havent used any, but they are cylindrical in shape and have a wick like a zippo and the lid slides to open and close

Image
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Growley
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by Growley »

I'll tell ya what NOT to get....Colibri. I've had two Colibri's, the first one costing me over $100, and they were both junk.
wmolaw
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by wmolaw »

BigCasino wrote:I have a bunch of old nimrod lighters, I havent used any, but they are cylindrical in shape and have a wick like a zippo and the lid slides to open and close

Image
I was going to mention these, better (IMO) than the regular zippo pipe lighters.
wmolaw
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by wmolaw »

Growley wrote:I'll tell ya what NOT to get....Colibri. I've had two Colibri's, the first one costing me over $100, and they were both junk.
I agree, 150%. They are great looking, but are crap. I must have five or more of them that have been given to me over the years, two that I bought, and none of them worked for more than a month or so. Total shit.
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BigCasino
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by BigCasino »

the Xikar my kids got me for Chirtmas took some getting used to, but now I got her dialed in, it seems to be pretty close the same as a match IMO
DaninDayton
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by DaninDayton »

UncleDraken

I use a bunch of different lighters. The ones I use the most are Zippos with the pipe insert and Imco G77r's.

If you use the Zippo, use the low odor Zippo lighter fluid. Let the flame burn for a couple of seconds before touching the flame to your tobacco and you will not get the lighter fluid taste.

I think I heard that the Imco were being discontinued. But, they are the best of the "disposables". I'e got one that I've been using for going on 4 years.

I also have a Corona knock off that was given to me used and I've used it for a couple of years now. Ya got to check the screws on the knock off 'cause they will get loose with use but tightening them is easily fixed with a little loc- tite applied sparingly.

I have used Colibbris but their quality has deteriorated drastically lately.

Hope this helps.

Danindayton
ilurkalot
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ilurkalot
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UncleDraken
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by UncleDraken »

Okay, definitely avoiding Colibri! I had looked at them before because some of them are perdy.
DaninDayton wrote:UncleDraken

I use a bunch of different lighters. The ones I use the most are Zippos with the pipe insert and Imco G77r's.

If you use the Zippo, use the low odor Zippo lighter fluid. Let the flame burn for a couple of seconds before touching the flame to your tobacco and you will not get the lighter fluid taste.

I think I heard that the Imco were being discontinued. But, they are the best of the "disposables". I'e got one that I've been using for going on 4 years.

I also have a Corona knock off that was given to me used and I've used it for a couple of years now. Ya got to check the screws on the knock off 'cause they will get loose with use but tightening them is easily fixed with a little loc- tite applied sparingly.

I have used Colibbris but their quality has deteriorated drastically lately.

Hope this helps.

Danindayton
ilurkalot
That's some great advice there. I'll remember to get the low odour and let the flame burn.
One thing I was wondering about though is how easy it is to relight a bowl that's near the end of it's life with the pipe insert on a Zippo? I'm talking about when the pipe goes out after smoking a while and now there's a larger than normal gap between the top of the bowl and the tobacco lying at the bottom of the bowl? Can you still draw the flame that far down? With a match you can still angle it in there if you see what I mean. I hope that makes sense!

I'm liking the look of this at the moment:

Image
Brent

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wisemanpipes
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by wisemanpipes »

if your in the market for a lifelong lighter get the im corona or a zippo with thunderbird butane insert. i get the bic lighters because i constantly am loosing tampers and lighters. and id be SOL if i lost a $120 lighter. just my thoughts and what works for me.
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UncleDraken
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by UncleDraken »

wisemanpipes wrote:if your in the market for a lifelong lighter get the im corona or a zippo with thunderbird butane insert. i get the bic lighters because i constantly am loosing tampers and lighters. and id be SOL if i lost a $120 lighter. just my thoughts and what works for me.
Thanks for that, I hadn't heard of it. Found this forum post somewhere else by what looks like Walt (or at least someone who uses his profile picture!) and the consensus there seems to be that the butane insert starts off well but then in a year or two starts losing pressure. I would have assumed that would mean it's time for a new one anyway but maybe I'm not understanding how the system works because they seem to be expecting it to last longer... :S

http://christianpipesmokers.net/modules ... ic&t=25238
Brent

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WCannoy
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Re: Pipe Lighting Implements

Post by WCannoy »

UncleDraken wrote: Found this forum post somewhere else by what looks like Walt (or at least someone who uses his profile picture!)
http://christianpipesmokers.net/modules ... ic&t=25238
Not me! His picture is Gandalf... Mine is Gandalf knitting!

Image
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