What to light a pipe with

drac2485

Pipe Lighter, Zippo, Bic, or Matches.  What do you use and prefer? If you don’t like one or another why?

Personally I prefer pipe lighters.  My go to is a cheap IMCO since I can put higher quality butane in it and if it gets destroyed on an outing I’m not out a month’s rent. I have only ever burned myself when I use a bic and trying to light a pipe outside in the windy area I live with matches is out right impossible.

PappyJoe

I found an Old Boy style pipe lighter at a flea market and once I cleaned it good it works great. I also have a Zippo with a butane pipe insert that works good. 

To be honest though, what I generally use when sitting in the backyard is one of those flexible Bic lighters designed for lighting your grill or candles. It's long enough to comfortable light a churchwarden and flexible enough to bend and point down to the bowl.

Subtilis87

I recently got a jet line pipe lighter that I am a real big fan of. Reasonably priced around $15. I was always a match guy but I find the convinience of a pipe lighter when I am out and about, adds a lot to my enjoyment of the hobby.

LostMason

I have a colibri pipe lighter that I honestly love,I have bics all over the place and a few matches.But my go to is my Colibri.

pipeman83

A Aikar Pipe Lighter.

judandhispipe

I'm a wooden match guy. I recently found, in a box I was sorting through, the old Nimrod pipe lighter I used for a long time. I'll have to come up with some flints and lighter fluid sometime and see if I want to use it regularly, but it's not a priority.

daveinlax

I love collecting match boxes and I have a couple of ceramic match holders but I light pipes and cigars with lighters. Here's a bad picture of my angled flame pipe lighters. My favorites are the two Davidoff Classic Slim in the bottom row second from left

JosiahWN

I definitely prefer being able to use matches. The pull and consistency is just so much more nice. Although I often just use a bic lighter due to the wind and simplicity of re-lighting.

PappyBadger

Definitely wooden matches unless I am in windy conditions, then I just use a Bic.

Watchmaker61

Regular old Zippo pipe lighter.

TheBigBurleyMan

Wooden matches preferably as well. However, I have a Zippo pipe lighter for those other occasions.

Corey562

Wooden mattches mostly. How ever am on the look out for nice lighter.

PipeProfessor

I use a Bic lighter, because I lose them all the time and cant justify paying a lot for a nice one!

Topaz75

I'm a BIC aficionado myself. I have to have one in each pocket, since I never know on which side of my lap the dog will elect to sit.

PipeProfessor

Thats a great idea @topaz75. I will learn a lot from you!

motie2

Linse lighter

Pipepal

Had one of those but it stopped working after a short amount of time.I'm flexible either wooden matches or Vic lighters.have a couple of Zippo pipe lighters but the flame seems to get out of control

Pipepal

Bic rather

Oddjob27

It's going to either be a Bic or my Old boy style lighter

KA9FFJ

Usually just use a bic. I never load a bowl to the top and that seems to hold down charring of the rim...

Bloodhound61

My preference is the Zippo pipe lighter. They're dependable under whatever conditions I find myself needing a light, and you don't need to break the bank just for the privilege of creating flame. And fortunately, my feeble palate doesn't taste the fluid as some folks do.

@Pipepal, not sure exactly what flame control issue you've had with your Zippo, but I did have an issue with one I bought in the past few months. From Day 1, on lighting, it made a 3 inch flame before dying down and I noticed the chimney and top were charring black. I trimmed the wick, etc., but the problem persisted and it was also using way more fluid than expected. I believe there must have been some seepage of lighter fluid at the top. Bottom line is that I sent it to Zippo and they repaired (or replaced) it at no charge. Just got it back a couple of days ago and it works like a charm. I was only out a couple of dollars for postage.

motie2

Just don't like that naphta taste. But "De gustibus...." right?

pipeman83

Wooden matches at home, Linse or Zippo outside.

buflosab

Zippo all the time, however I do keep a bic just in case.

Woodsman

Linz when out, Beatie Jet in the house/ porch.

motie2

@Woodsman -- A Beattie? That I envy...... It was my favorite lighter back in the day, before BICs were even invented.
Anyone have one for sale/trade?

Bloodhound61

@motie2, there appear to be a number of them available on eBay at various price points. 

Now I want one. 

motie2

@Bloodhound61 -- Thank you. I had given up looking for one on eBay. At the time, most were out of my price range ($20.00). Now, there's a lot more for sale. 

Thanks again for the heads up.

Bloodhound61

You're most welcome, sir

Jeff20

I prefer a match myself, just a slight touch.

KenofAhwlby

Wood matches for me....like the old time strike anywhere kind.