exchef
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Post by exchef on May 11, 2019 15:03:31 GMT -5
Hello Patch,
I find myself desiring a really good pipe lighter instead of the usual disposable bic or family size box of wooden matches. When it comes to cigars, I have several lighters of the torch variety, but they aren’t for pipes as you know.
So, I am here asking, what do you look for in a pipe lighter? What is the best feature of the one you have, other than it being your’s.
Looking forward to recommendations and thoughts.
ExChef
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Post by oldcajun123 on May 11, 2019 15:07:22 GMT -5
I have had good luck with Sarome lighters on EBay, bought 2 for less than 30$ and have has good luck with them. Flintless ones.
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Post by Darin on May 11, 2019 15:13:07 GMT -5
I'm a recent convert to the Zippo with pipe insert after YEARS of Bic lighters. It's a nice soft flame that's easy to draw down into the pipe. Also, I thought it would require more frequent refills but it's lasting a long, long time.
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Post by Dramatwist on May 11, 2019 15:17:32 GMT -5
I resisted lighters for almost 50 years, until I came across the IM Corona "PipeMaster" (Black Matte.) Perhaps not as "cool" as the IM Corona "Old Boy" (with all the cute pipe shapes on it), it's a piezo-electric lighter with a gentle flame and the built-in pipe tamper and is as easily controlled as a match, which was my method all those years. Reliable as heck. Doesn't f*** with the rim of the pipe, either.
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exchef
Junior Member
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Post by exchef on May 11, 2019 15:44:12 GMT -5
I'm a recent convert to the Zippo with pipe insert after YEARS of Bic lighters. It's a nice soft flame that's easy to draw down into the pipe. Also, I thought it would require more frequent refills but it's lasting a long, long time. Darin, Do you find that the zippo fuel taints the taste of the tobacco? Back in the day when I was a cigarette smoker, i used to use a zippo and the first couple drags of the cigarette tasted of the kerosene based fuel. Do you find the same thing here? Still have my Zippo, was a gift from a friend 30 years ago. ExChef
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 15:53:49 GMT -5
I own two Zippo’s with pipe inserts, an Old Boy Corona that was gifted to me. Also I recently purchased a Sarome which lights every time, I highly recommend 👌👍👍. When indoors I mostly use wood matches.
When lighting a cigar I use my three flame Xikar torch, works flawlessly with no issues. It’s best to completely “ purge “ a butane lighter before refilling.
PS Purchase a Zippo butane insert, odorless and tasteless.
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Post by Darin on May 11, 2019 16:31:34 GMT -5
I'm a recent convert to the Zippo with pipe insert after YEARS of Bic lighters. It's a nice soft flame that's easy to draw down into the pipe. Also, I thought it would require more frequent refills but it's lasting a long, long time. Darin, Do you find that the zippo fuel taints the taste of the tobacco? Back in the day when I was a cigarette smoker, i used to use a zippo and the first couple drags of the cigarette tasted of the kerosene based fuel. Do you find the same thing here? Still have my Zippo, was a gift from a friend 30 years ago. ExChef
That was part of the reason it had been so long trying one myself but a friend convinced me they'd gotten better with the fuel. When I spark it up, I just wait about 2 or 3 seconds before using it and have not tasted any of that old "fuel flavor". As another plus, these lighters, with pipe insert included, are a fraction of the cost of something like an IM or Kiribi lighter
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Post by pepesdad1 on May 11, 2019 16:48:48 GMT -5
I resisted lighters for almost 50 years, until I came across the IM Corona "PipeMaster" (Black Matte.) Perhaps not as "cool" as the IM Corona "Old Boy" (with all the cute pipe shapes on it), it's a piezo-electric lighter with a gentle flame and the built-in pipe tamper and is as easily controlled as a match, which was my method all those years. Reliable as heck. Doesn't f*** with the rim of the pipe, either. I still have my IM Corona Pipemaster from the 60's...I've had it completely refitted with brand new guts...but it had a grudge against me...leaving it so long unused and unrecognized in the box with all my old pipes. I've tried the zippo insert and they work just fine...was looking for a Beattie Jet lighter like the one I used to have back in the 60's...finally got 2 from one of our more distinguished members here on the Patch...gave one to my good friend AJ and kept the other one...the only "issue" I have with it is that it will char a rim in no time, even though I can control the flame with the twist of my wrist...still a PIA, but it holds more fuel than a Zippo...so after all the hooing and hawing...I'm back to using a bic...much easier to deal with possible rim char which I am particularly concerned with my stained cobs, which is why I now stain the rim of all my cobs with black.
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chasingembers
Senior Member
Posts: 1,884
First Name: Duane
Favorite Pipe: My Growing J. Everett Collection, Fifteen Day Bruce Weaver Set, Meerschaums, Oguz Simsek Skulls
Favorite Tobacco: Black Frigate,Solani Silver Flake, Yenidje Highlander, Angler's Dream, Watch City Slices, Salty Dogs, Mephisto, Ennerdale Flake, Rich Dark Honeydew, 1792 Flake
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Post by chasingembers on May 11, 2019 17:01:19 GMT -5
After thirty years, I will never use anything but a BIC. They need no refill, are very reliable, leave no taste in the smoke, need no servicing, no flints to replace, and still work when you drop them. The first week I had a Corona Old Boy, I dropped it and it no longer holds fuel. I could send it in for repair, but for the cost I can get nineteen BICs and each one of those lasts me around three weeks. You can also buy fifty BICs on Amazon for $41.89.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on May 11, 2019 17:10:30 GMT -5
PS Purchase a Zippo butane insert, odorless and tasteless. A butane insert defeats the purpose of a Zippo.
The whole point is that it's a fluid lighter, so it works better in the wind.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on May 11, 2019 17:11:07 GMT -5
I'm a recent convert to the Zippo with pipe insert after YEARS of Bic lighters. It's a nice soft flame that's easy to draw down into the pipe. Also, I thought it would require more frequent refills but it's lasting a long, long time. Darin, Do you find that the zippo fuel taints the taste of the tobacco? Back in the day when I was a cigarette smoker, i used to use a zippo and the first couple drags of the cigarette tasted of the kerosene based fuel. Do you find the same thing here? Still have my Zippo, was a gift from a friend 30 years ago. ExChef The fuel is much less malodorous than in years past.
You still want to give it a second to burn off the worst before applying it to your pipe bowl, though.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on May 11, 2019 17:18:01 GMT -5
The key feature of a butane lighter is all-metal construction. Anything with a plastic tank or one of those plastic fuel windows will, sooner or later, leak badly. I'm not an engineer and I can't tell you why. Maybe it has to do with the junctions between the valve and tank body. The best butane lighters go a step further, and are cut from solid brass. This is the difference between an "Old Boy" and a Dunhill.
A Dunhill is cut from solid brass. An "Old Boy" is constructed from sheet brass. Is that worth the $300 price difference? That's up to you ----------------------------------------- For fluid lighters, good things to see are tight snuffers and rubber gaskets, in order to slow fuel loss. My Zippos work great but they do not hang onto fuel very long, even if un-used. ----------------------------------------- For indoors use, my every-day lighter is a 1970s S.T. Dupont fitted with a pipe valve. (Angle flame.) A Dupont with a straight flame is rather frustrating to use on a pipe, as I learned to my chagrin. Swapping out the valve is like, $125. Expensive work on a lighter that costs about $50 in good used condition. For outdoor use, lately I've been using a Chinese clone of an old French lighter, the Flamidor Flambeau. www.aliexpress.com/item/Handmade-brass-classical-oil-lighter-Men-cigarette-briquet-Gift-72mm-21mm-155g/32857427195.htmlI replaced the asbestos wick with a cotton one, and off I went. (Even if the thought of an asbestos wick doesn't bother you, you will still want to re-pack the batting -- it comes with the wick just kind of draped over a single clod of cotton, instead of wound and packed.)
The Flamidor clone doesn't strike quite as easily as a Zippo on a windy day, but it stays lit in the wind like a Zippo, and it holds onto its fuel longer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 17:41:24 GMT -5
PS Purchase a Zippo butane insert, odorless and tasteless. A butane insert defeats the purpose of a Zippo.
The whole point is that it's a fluid lighter, so it works better in the wind.
I’ve had zero issues with my butane Zippo insert. Lights in a mild wind. My Zippo pipe insert that uses Zippo lighter fluid withstands about the same amount of wind gust before going out.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 17:56:10 GMT -5
Zippo cannot be beat for Reliability and its iron clad Warranty. You can save $ on fuel by buying 1quart of Naptha at your local hardware store.
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Post by Dramatwist on May 11, 2019 18:05:05 GMT -5
I resisted lighters for almost 50 years, until I came across the IM Corona "PipeMaster" (Black Matte.) Perhaps not as "cool" as the IM Corona "Old Boy" (with all the cute pipe shapes on it), it's a piezo-electric lighter with a gentle flame and the built-in pipe tamper and is as easily controlled as a match, which was my method all those years. Reliable as heck. Doesn't f*** with the rim of the pipe, either. I still have my IM Corona Pipemaster from the 60's...I've had it completely refitted with brand new guts...but it had a grudge against me...leaving it so long unused and unrecognized in the box with all my old pipes. I've tried the zippo insert and they work just fine...was looking for a Beattie Jet lighter like the one I used to have back in the 60's...finally got 2 from one of our more distinguished members here on the Patch...gave one to my good friend AJ and kept the other one...the only "issue" I have with it is that it will char a rim in no time, even though I can control the flame with the twist of my wrist...still a PIA, but it holds more fuel than a Zippo...so after all the hooing and hawing...I'm back to using a bic...much easier to deal with possible rim char which I am particularly concerned with my stained cobs, which is why I now stain the rim of all my cobs with black. ...from those photos, it's a completely different animal now... app.box.com/s/7jk4zoa184wot7whfjzkiesh1rhx09gn
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garydh2000
New Member
Posts: 67
First Name: Gary
Favorite Pipe: Not sure
Favorite Tobacco: Ever changing of late
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Post by garydh2000 on May 11, 2019 18:34:08 GMT -5
Zippo of Bradford, Pennsylvania. With the pipe insert.
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Post by qmechanics on May 11, 2019 18:58:57 GMT -5
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Post by roadsdiverged on May 11, 2019 20:13:24 GMT -5
I've turn into a match man. Even in the wind, I will find a way to make it work. I have a zippo pipe lighter, the one that holds zippo fluid. I rarely use it, but when I do, I let it burn for a few seconds. I have a smaller lighter that uses zippo fluid and has a small flame. It lights a pipe perfectly for me but is less wind resistant than a match. A bic comes in handy when I go to Walt's with pipes and tobacco, but forget my matches.
I know weve had the discussion about fluid before. When I ran out of my zippo fluid in the metal can I purchased Ronsonol Fluid in the yellow plastic one. Absolutely no oily taste like I remember there being years ago. I know people said it's the same, I just had to see for myself. When this is out, if ever, I'm going with naphtha from the paint store. Less than $8 a quart is pretty hard to beat.
But I LOVE my matches.
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Post by Dramatwist on May 11, 2019 20:16:54 GMT -5
I've turn into a match man. Even in the wind, I will find a way to make it work. I have a zippo pipe lighter, the one that holds zippo fluid. I rarely use it, but when I do, I let it burn for a few seconds. I have a smaller lighter that uses zippo fluid and has a small flame. It lights a pipe perfectly for me but is less wind resistant than a match. A bic comes in handy when I go to Walt's with pipes and tobacco, but forget my matches. I know weve had the discussion about fluid before. When I ran out of my zippo fluid in the metal can I purchased Ronsonol Fluid in the yellow plastic one. Absolutely no oily taste like I remember there being years ago. I know people said it's the same, I just had to see for myself. When this is out, if ever, I'm going with naphtha from the paint store. Less than $8 a quart is pretty hard to beat. But I LOVE my matches. ...it's the traditional method, and I've never had trouble with a wooden match in the outdoors...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2019 20:22:23 GMT -5
BIC!
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Post by clintonvilleleather on May 11, 2019 20:44:59 GMT -5
I am happy using a regular zippo. If you snake the wick through the padding the fuel absorbs better making a fill last 4 days or so. I hardly smell the fuel and it doesnt affect the taste. I have owned an assortment of butane lighters and they all broke within a couple years.
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Post by monbla256 on May 11, 2019 22:53:09 GMT -5
Over my nearly 50 years of smoking I've used a variety of lighters both fluid and gas and found that I prefer fluid to gas. My favorite one is my Dunhill Sterling Rollalite that I bought in Hong Kong back in 1970. It looks exactly like the current Rollagas lighter which you can tell is a butane lighter as opposed to the older one which is a fluid lighter. It had a pipe lighter insert from the factory and has worked flawlessly all these years . I only use it when I'm "out and about" and am a wooden matches guy at home. I also have a fluid Dunhill Sterling Unique which I got as a gift in the mid '70s and it also is a reliable lighter. It was the first lighter coming out in 1923 and is what the Carona Old Boy is patterned after. My recommend getting a fluid lighter if you want to use a lighter. JMHO
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Post by smellthehatfirst on May 11, 2019 23:33:35 GMT -5
Over my nearly 50 years of smoking I've used a variety of lighters both fluid and gas and found that I prefer fluid to gas. My favorite one is my Dunhill Sterling Rollalite that I bought in Hong Kong back in 1970. It looks exactly like the current Rollagas lighter which you can tell is a butane lighter as opposed to the older one which is a fluid lighter. It had a pipe lighter insert from the factory and has worked flawlessly all these years . I only use it when I'm "out and about" and am a wooden matches guy at home. Can you post a photo? I've never seen a Rollalite with anything special for pipes. Is it a telescoping wick, or a chimney, or what? I also have a fluid Dunhill Sterling Unique which I got as a gift in the mid '70s and it also is a reliable lighter. It was the first lighter coming out in 1923 and is what the Carona Old Boy is patterned after. My recommend getting a fluid lighter if you want to use a lighter. JMHO The modern-day "Unique" is usually butane, but they still sell small quantities of the original fluid Unique under the name "Unique Sport." Amusingly the fluid model costs more than the butane, despite being a much simpler device. Perhaps it is just because it is leather trimmed.
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Post by daveinlax on May 12, 2019 6:58:51 GMT -5
I was sitting around a smoke filled hotel room last weekend with a group of match guys when my Xikar Resource (loud and messy) pipe lighter ran out. I stupidly asked if anyone had some gas. I was handed a box of matches.
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Post by pepesdad1 on May 12, 2019 7:05:14 GMT -5
I still have my IM Corona Pipemaster from the 60's...I've had it completely refitted with brand new guts...but it had a grudge against me...leaving it so long unused and unrecognized in the box with all my old pipes. I've tried the zippo insert and they work just fine... was looking for a Beattie Jet lighter like the one I used to have back in the 60's...finally got 2 from one of our more distinguished members here on the Patch...gave one to my good friend AJ and kept the other one...the only "issue" I have with it is that it will char a rim in no time, even though I can control the flame with the twist of my wrist...still a PIA, but it holds more fuel than a Zippo...so after all the hooing and hawing...I'm back to using a bic...much easier to deal with possible rim char which I am particularly concerned with my stained cobs, which is why I now stain the rim of all my cobs with black. ...from those photos, it's a completely different animal now... app.box.com/s/7jk4zoa184wot7whfjzkiesh1rhx09gn Martin, these photos are of the Beattie Jet lighter...my old Pipemaster looks exactly like yours, but without the tamper part.
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exchef
Junior Member
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Post by exchef on May 12, 2019 8:24:25 GMT -5
qmechanicsMy intent with this thread was not to just get the "buy this lighter" responses, but to possibly get an understanding of what makes Lighter X makes a really good pipe lighter. Of course that is all subjective and would then need to be evaluated. Sort of what features make your car better in your opinion. I can go read all the threads and "whitepaper" about lighters but none of that tells me WHY someone likes Lighter X over Lighter Y. Just to clarify what I was asking for, for example, of my 3 goto cigar lighters, one is a decorative St Dupont style soft flame lighter, great for dressy occasions that don't warrant carrying my 1970s St. Dupont. My "EDC" cigar lighter is an inexpensive quad jet with a punch in the bottom in case i have forgotten a cutter for some bizarre reason. The last one is a Prometheus slim torch that I got myself as a gift when we took my daughter to Disney for the first time years ago. ExChef
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Post by bigwoolie on May 12, 2019 8:55:29 GMT -5
I use a Zippo with a pipe insert. I like old fashioned ways, and Zippo has been around for generations. I also really like the soft flame, and it's serviceability outdoors. I do get a little frustrated when I go to use it and I have to stop, dig out the fuel and re-fill it, but that's just all part of the experience.
But in the name of transparency, there are usually a couple of bics stashed around in case the Zippo goes dry and I'm out and about without fuel
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Post by sperrytops on May 12, 2019 10:01:12 GMT -5
I have a Kiribi, Dunhill Rollagas, Bics and Matches. Use them all. What's my favorite? Whatever is closest to me. I like the Dunhill best, easy turn and its lit. Like Bic the least. I hate holding the lever down to keep the flame on, but that's what I carry when I fly. Matches when I want to be real careful about scorching, though if you're careful none of them will scorch. All in all, the best is the Rollagas. Flawless performance, soft touch to light, substantial weight in a smaller form factor.
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Post by scrooge on May 12, 2019 11:48:49 GMT -5
Darin, Do you find that the zippo fuel taints the taste of the tobacco? Back in the day when I was a cigarette smoker, i used to use a zippo and the first couple drags of the cigarette tasted of the kerosene based fuel. Do you find the same thing here? Still have my Zippo, was a gift from a friend 30 years ago. ExChef
That was part of the reason it had been so long trying one myself but a friend convinced me they'd gotten better with the fuel. When I spark it up, I just wait about 2 or 3 seconds before using it and have not tasted any of that old "fuel flavor". As another plus, these lighters, with pipe insert included, are a fraction of the cost of something like an IM or Kiribi lighter
What he says.
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Post by smellthehatfirst on May 12, 2019 12:29:02 GMT -5
qmechanics My intent with this thread was not to just get the "buy this lighter" responses, but to possibly get an understanding of what makes Lighter X makes a really good pipe lighter. Of course that is all subjective and would then need to be evaluated. Sort of what features make your car better in your opinion. I can go read all the threads and "whitepaper" about lighters but none of that tells me WHY someone likes Lighter X over Lighter Y. Just to clarify what I was asking for, for example, of my 3 goto cigar lighters, one is a decorative St Dupont style soft flame lighter, great for dressy occasions that don't warrant carrying my 1970s St. Dupont. My "EDC" cigar lighter is an inexpensive quad jet with a punch in the bottom in case i have forgotten a cutter for some bizarre reason. The last one is a Prometheus slim torch that I got myself as a gift when we took my daughter to Disney for the first time years ago. ExChef
Oh, yeah, I feel you. I own a lot of old lighters. Just a really unreasonable number. Because I like fancy lighters.
I carry a 1970s Dupont around in my normal bag because it's works well, it's extremely reliable, but it's inexpensive enough that I wouldn't beat myself up if I lost it.
Same with the Chinese fluid lighter. That's just the simplest outdoor option I've found so far. I have nicer fluid lighters, but this one holds onto its darned fluid.
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