Pipe lighters, what do you feel makes a really good one…

just need a signpost pointing the way to the rabbit hole now.

So I picked up an "honest" lighter. Basically it is a knock off of a $100 Japanese lighter but for $25 on Amazon why not.

It's a good looking lighter and works well indoors and not bad outdoors either. Has a slide up windscreen. The zippo is still #1 on lighting a pipe in a strong wind.

i.imgur.com/GRlzoz8.jpg

Sorry I have been out of the loop for a while. I had a number of interviews and other problems that took me away from online correspondence (I really appreciate all the messages I received in support!!) After reading over the last communications, I wonder if I should respond to Exchef's rant. This evening sitting with my phone in the garage, pipe in hand, I thought I should as many strange things were stated.

Exchef's Statement : And now to get myself in trouble with the admins. 
qmechanics, have you been made the Patch Police? If you do not like my question or posts, DON’T READ THEM!

My Reply: So lets recap the situation, I created a post stating that a few Patch threads touch on the current thread's subject (with an example link). Exchef replied to me directly (quoting and repeating my user name at the head of his response) stating that my link and by default my idea was irrelevant. I replied summarizing a number of reasons why the link and other unmentioned threads can be seen as relevant. Then I ended expressing my support (Before anyone becomes unhinged, I know there is more to this so please continue reading). A reply that might be classified as an emotional tsunami came back to me.
For the sake of getting to the bottom of this, I will make the assumption that Exchef, took greatest offense with the second paragraph of my second post. If so the question to be asked is, was qmechanics taking on the mantel of Patch police and/or being condescending etc. in the act of summarizing Exchef's goals and approving this thread (as if anyone needs need my approval ;-)) ? The simple answer is no. My support for Exchef's efforts was genuine and my brief summary was based on his words to me. Granted I did add some punch to my support, elements of hubris meant in humor, aimed at Exchef's earlier dismissive reply . I believe this set him off. So let's examine this last exchange a bit more closely.


When Exchef responded to me the first time, I understood his thread's intent before any words passed between us. Disappointed in his characterization of what I was offering, I was a bit bemused that one could be so dismissive without understanding my reasons. Instead of reaching out and asking me how I see relevance in the link provided (Yes at first glance it appears to be solely about a different question concerning pipe lighters ) or any other threads, Exchef took on an interpretative role assuming that I did not understand the thread's intent. This led to Exchef, miss-interpreting my reasons and exercising his presumed authority ( I grant a thread's author some leeway in looking over his or her thread, but there are much better ways of doing so.). Yes Exchef's original reply was nicely worded but fairly off putting in its assumptions. Thinking that the misunderstanding was in part a product of how the link was perceived, I decided to answer this reply with my reasons adding a bit of feigned comical hubris. At this point, I think this could have been handled better. Then Exchef lost control and the problem was way overblown.
Given that intentions, sub-context etc. behind statements are sometimes hard to discern, especially with a person you are not familiar with, I try to take things in the best light possible. This means addressing clearly definable reasons or points of an author, regardless of how the ideas are presented. A more liberal application of understanding during this interaction, would have made this a much more pleasant experience. For my part, I should have been more direct with Exchef framing my words without any humorous intent. After Exchef's first reply, it was a bit challenging not to do so. Still if I would have known how emotionally compromised Exchef was that day (I assume he is not normally like this. ), I certainly would have taken a different approach.


As to the other points:

I know the rules, there is nothing stated before this rant that can be considered as rule bending or breaking nor do I have the authority to enforce anything. One can be wrong/right, bullheaded/accommodating, emotional/rational etc. all day long, but if you do not break the rules, I will not respond as if you did. On the other hand, if one breaks the rules, I only intervene when I think I can accomplish some good and/or promote a better understanding. I am not into overstepping my position, enforcing my threads, dismissing comments or getting into trouble with the administrators. I am not a moderator and do not wish to be one. However helping out, in a rule bending or breaking situation for the good of someone else, is something I can and will sometimes do.

For the record I generally like Exchef's questions, posts and/or threads. It is also hard to know if I like something without reading it. So unless Exchef has the ability to communicate in other ways, I have to read his statements to have an informed opinion. Even if someone SHOUTs, the only way to know is to read.


Exchef's Statement: I am pretty sure that it is condescending attitudes such as yours that have caused members like David to leave here. 


My Reply: Though ex-chef was clever enough not to blame me directly (as I am not at fault), still inferring such things is a bit low. As a matter of weighing the correspondence I wonder if we might ask ourselves which post might prove more troubling if different parties were taking part in these messages? Which post would be more effective in chasing another away?


Exchef's Statement : Now, please exit my thread, if the moderators or admins have issue with what I posted it is THEIR job to call me out on it, not yours. Normally I do not respond to trolls however my ability to deal with BS such as what you have spewed here has gotten under my skin. If you are not going to be useful, be gone. A large number of more senior members than you have decided to share their feedback, whereas you have chosen not to provide anything constructive. Have a great day.

My Reply: I am beginning to smile a bit . No offense intended, but hopefully Exchef and others can appreciate the humor in a post that accuses another of the very same actions that the poster is currently committing, while apparently not realizing he is doing so. The acts of calling someone out, being commanding and policing the thread etc. are all things that Exchef committed and it does not stop there. As to my part, I am guilty of responding with some humor as mentioned above which granted can and has been taken in the wrong way. Hopefully one can see how it is not a good thing to respond to another when any of us are emotionally compromised. It brings down barriers and this types of behavior more readily manifests itself, which is a shame.

A Troll is someone who “makes a deliberately offensive or provocative online post with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them”. Lets break this down, the only thing that is true on my part during this exchange is the last few words. As my comments were not deliberately offensive or provocative or stated in an attempt to upset or anger Exchef, I am not acting as a troll though Exchef probably feels differently. In a sentence , points made in my last post were done to answer Exchef's post. My last bit probably sparked things, though it was not deliberately done to upset anyone but to make a point. A point that was completely misunderstood and one that I am willing to take some blame.

A hobby focused sight, like the Patch, will easily have thread overlap on things most common to pipe smokers. So It is not so far fetched for one to believe that links can be referred to with merit adding information to current kindred threads. This issue is amplified a bit at the Patch where a question is answered with more liberty, not to mention the folks who love to elaborate on a point, covering more than what was requested (Obviously I am guilty as charged on both counts from time to time ;-) ). It is my contention that in the link provided and others there are ideas that can fit this thread's general narrative. Rarely do I post a serious comment without reason, checking my sources, considering the weakness of my statements etc. ( even so I can and have been wrong from time to time and am open to better Intel and understanding.) . As a researcher I also have learned that information does not always come in a nice package. In fact I have gained much insight through following different questions in the same or related fields, where overlap and connections are readily found. In this spirit, I propose two ways other pipe lighter threads could be useful. First, on occasion, folks expand on their explanations, answering much more than what was required, even content related to a different question. Second, at times, one can easily discern more than what is stated by reading between the lines and/or logically following an answer's path or direction, effectively answering a different question. There are other ideas about gaining information. Still I thought two would be sufficient and illustrate the validity of my post. It does not bother me if one does not find the link or a thread search useful . I also understand why someone might not find my contention and reasons compelling. What I find disturbing is how one person can dismiss another voice, ranting and raving claiming that the focus of their rage, little old me ;-) , has provided nothing that was constructive by choice among other things. One can argue about the merits of my posts though saying that I have chosen to provide nothing constructive is untrue , a miss-characterization and counterproductive. As to the BS winner, the issues that flowed from the rant alone can be looked upon as just that. However I will take the high road and dismiss the label due to the emotionally compromised Patch member.

Commanding me to be gone if I am not useful, please exit my thread etc. are ideas which should be looked at a bit more carefully. I know that there are folks who left other web-pages and joined the Patch because some bullies on other forums . Yes Exchef's post was made in anger. Its language/tone would probably have not been so harsh and more reasonable, if he was calmer. However, to some, who do not have the stomach for rants, such behavior can be very off putting. This is multiplied by Exchef's misinterpreting a fellow Patcher's reasons. In the end this rant could easily achieve the same results as one who is being intentionally bullish. For the future keep in mind, I will reply to any thread or post I deem necessary which is my right under Patch rules. If anyone states something that I believe is missing the point, wrong headed, has some deficiency etc. , I reserve the right to respond and cannot be intimidated. Folks who know me also realize, I will apologize if I am in the wrong. This extends to misunderstandings. My willingness to reach out and mend fences is known by some here. Yes I can be as mean as a bag of kittens ;-) , but rarely is this the case.


Still I believe better of Exchef. Such rants makes me wonder if other pressures are involved? As such I believe it best to let this feud end here.

My eyes are starting to water and my fingers are missing more keys lol. So please forgive any number of flaws in my post. Patch members, Exchef, I truly hope that nothing came across as too harsh and that this post will not be an issue with the administrators. I was attacked and acknowledge what I could have done better. trying to be civil and truthful. I do not think Exchef is a bad person (quite the opposite) and have enjoyed a number of his contributions. I hope and trust his correspondence was the result of having an off day. We all do from time to time.

Trust all of you are well. I will be back at some point soon..

AMEN, WALT!

Hi Pepesdad1
        I am sorry. There are not many options on my phone for font size in the mobile format. If you are so inclined, please try to use your browser to magnify the view. 

        One of the reasons I wrote this was to make amends and illustrate how taking offense easily or prodding another can get blown out of proportion and cause more harm than one might realize. Yes I was just a bit upset reading Exchef's response. However,  I tried to keep my frustration to a minimum and respond in what I thought was a fairly reasonable way. It is my hope that we all gain something from a peaceful resolution of our problems. 

Note: I may have been a bit too strong at the end, trying to drive my point across. If I offended Exchef or anyone you have my apology.
 
         Yes I am busy and have been for quite some time. I hope to be back as soon as I can and take part in the forum. 

I've had a crappy old boy knockoff from Amazon for about 8-9 months. It's never let me down. There, I finally said it. It was, like, $15.