I own a Zippo pipe lighter but rarely use it. The reason is my wife's cousin died and we found about 40 - 50 BIC lighters all over the house! Needless to say, I now have a near endless supply of lighters. I always "flick my BIC" away from the bowl because sparks sometimes fly and can literally fling ash out of your pipe. So I "flick my BIC" straight up near the bowl, then tilt it down for the light. Works for me...
I just wonder about anything, as simple as a lighter, that needs serviced and that originally costs an out of market price point from comparable products. Example, look at some of these high end hot rods too... always in the shop after driving. Even if I am buying a production hot rod, the damn thing should drive and not break down or be so tempormental to suck the fun out of it. I don't like high maintenance girls either! Same thing ya know, LOL
Have gotten a number of these at Dollar Tree over the past year to try out for their suitability as a pipe lighter. In that sense, they work OK, but the "large fuel chamber" in the description must be relative to something very tiny -- as they do not last very long. It seems these are no longer being carried at Dollar Tree, though. Can't see paying so much more (over $6 @ on Amazon) for the same short lifetime of the fuel supply.
I don't know, I remember from grade school (reinforced by many years of subsequent classes of various sciences) that fire is a form of 'oxidation" and is really just three things: (1) fuel, (2) heat, and (3) oxygen. The way I have it figured, my pipes don't care how I deliver the oxidation process to the bowl. I have seen some ludicrously priced lighters online and I just think why? Personally I would rather spend my bucks on some additional tobacco, and fuel for my trusted and never fail Zippos.
I saw those Linse lighters on eBay and almost pulled the trigger on a multi-pack of 6. It was a good deal, but I knew the probable look my wife would have given me since I have a drawer stacked almost to the top with Bics...
I've used everything from Zippos, Coronas, BIC, JetLine, to plain old matches, they all do the trick. In the end, do what works for you. Just don't use a torch lighter. You'll risk burning your briar.
I have 2 very nice butane cigar lighters with triple flames. I turned the flames down and they work great with my pipes........I just think of my Zippos as old friends.
@Woodsman, thanks so much! I have been patiently waiting for several years, waiting to get one in great shape, with the original box and paperwork included.
I still use wooden matches or my trusty Zippo. Both seem to do the job and always have for the past forty years or so. Always wanted to try a Nimrod when they were available but for some reason, I never did.
@Charles, that's the way to do it man, traditional wooden matches! Part of the art of pipe smoking, old school but reliable tools. I am also doing that and my Zippo which is great for outdoors.
I use a Kiribi Kabuto when I'm inside, and my zippo when I'm outside. I think I'd use my zippo a lot more but it burns fuel a lot faster. At the end of the day, the cost of the fuel isn't a great deal much more than matches light for light, but the convenience of not having to reload the lighter as often means I use the Kiribi more.
Besides, nothing says I'm somebody, nothing says I'm a man of means, nothing elicits more looks of envy from fellow pipe smokers quite like using my $140 Kiribi to fire up a bowl... in my corn cob pipe. Actually, instead of hemp wicks, maybe I should start using woven strands of unicorn mane...
*edit: All this to say, I love my lighters. Totally worth it for me.
I have a Linse, and a Corona Old Boy (a gift from a generous friend), but I actually prefer the lighter TPL sent me last year. Thanks, Nicole and TPL!!!!
I'm reviving this thread because I've noticed several pics of Bic lighters in recent posts. Nothing wrong with Bics (I still use them too), but some of you new guys may not have seen some of the cool Bic alternatives that work better on pipes. Namely, the Linse disposable lighters. Thank you @motie2 for introducing me to them. I use mine when I travel or when I'm outside. I still prefer my Xikar and Zippo (with Thunderbird insert). However, there are times when I don't want to risk losing these that I grab one of my Linse lighters instead. You can pick them up on eBay for less than $3 each.
I still use matches when possible or my Linse Pipe Lighter. Honestly, the only time I've tasted something different is with my Zippo using lighter fluid and it goes away quickly.
ARE HIGH-END LIGHTERS REALLY WORTH IT? Yes, if you think they areI thought the Old Boy style was cool, and received one as a gift from a generous friend. But I'm afraid of losing it and it is not-windproof to a degree that makes it unusable in a gentle breeze.
I carry around a disposable Linse. You should too, if you are a fan of lighting your pipe with butane.
I prefer to light my pipe with stick matches but I also regularly use my Zippo. I have not noticed any fluid taste or chemical taste. Perhaps I am just use to it but both lighter and matches seem to be neutral to me.
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Yes, but at least high maintenance girls don't have to go into the shop.....oh wait, never mind......I forgot nails, hair, etc.
The way I have it figured, my pipes don't care how I deliver the oxidation process to the bowl. I have seen some ludicrously priced lighters online and I just think why? Personally I would rather spend my bucks on some additional tobacco, and fuel for my trusted and never fail Zippos.
Just my $0.02.....
I have 2 very nice butane cigar lighters with triple flames. I turned the flames down and they work great with my pipes........I just think of my Zippos as old friends.
Humboldt Hemp Wick 100 Ft Bee Hemp Line Lighter Hempwick
Humboldt Hemp Wick 100 Ft Bee Hemp Line Lighter Hempwick
http://www.hemplights.com/products.htm
I use a Kiribi Kabuto when I'm inside, and my zippo when I'm outside. I think I'd use my zippo a lot more but it burns fuel a lot faster. At the end of the day, the cost of the fuel isn't a great deal much more than matches light for light, but the convenience of not having to reload the lighter as often means I use the Kiribi more.
Besides, nothing says I'm somebody, nothing says I'm a man of means, nothing elicits more looks of envy from fellow pipe smokers quite like using my $140 Kiribi to fire up a bowl... in my corn cob pipe.
Actually, instead of hemp wicks, maybe I should start using woven strands of unicorn mane...
*edit: All this to say, I love my lighters. Totally worth it for me.
I carry around a disposable Linse. You should too, if you are a fan of lighting your pipe with butane.