Pros and Cons to Pipe Lighters 

The zippo drawback is that if it’s left for a week or so, it’s usually out of fuel. Also can be a messy process to refill. The fuel evaporates fast. That being said it’s still a must have and provides a great flame.

My son gave me a Zippo 24 years ago. I still use it today on my pipe.

What a wonderful and important video, Wilson. I think I agree with you 100%. As an ex engineer and an American, my favorite lighter is the zippo. I have a zippo lighter collection, and until 15 months ago, never used it to light any kind of smoking implement. I just loved the fact that they were designed in the 30s and a virtually unchanged because of how sound the design was. They are made in the United States, and they have never charged even a dime to fix one. I actually had somebody give me one that had no lid and I told him that, and I said I wanted to pay for the repairs because I did not purchase it. They would not let me give them any money. They replaced the lid and the insert for free. So I want to spend my money with them. If I go outside, zippo is all I use because it never lets you down. If the flame is too large, you can cut the wick back to make it smaller. All of that being said, my favorite lighters for inside are the old boy style. I have four of them and cherish them all. I think for a butane lighter, the most reliable is the ones that use a flint and a striker wheel. My other favorite is the Saint Dupont style, both that and the old boy style use a Flint and Striker. Have never had good luck with the peso-electric butane lighters until I purchased a Calibri. I have found all of them fail within as little as a month to six months. But since I started using premium Calibri fuel, I think it might have been a clogging issue rather than the electronic failure. When I used Bic lighters for my pipes, they seemed to run out of fuel very quickly. For my first charring light and my first real light I like to use a wooden kitchen matches. After that, I always use a soft flame for all of my relights. You have a blessed week, my friend.

If you want something retro and unique (if you can find one) is a Nimrod lighter

Hey 👋, new to the crew and got my first pipe today for Father's Day. (From a gas station for 20$,,, dont judge me too harshly.) Just wanted to say thanks for the education and the opportunity for a good threshold. Starting off with Bugler tobacco. 😢but hey, got to start somewhere.

If people dislike the classic zippo thing, you can always go to a tractor supply or the like and buy pure naptha. And to fix evaporation which is another concern, you can get gaskets.

I don’t deal with electric anymore. Gotta have flint, gotta be refillable. Jus got the yellow flame zippo insert. Love it

Happy I found this channel. For me, im a zippo lover too. I use one of the thicker zippo armor cases with the antique finish and a pipe insert. My backup I use for both cigars and pipe is another zippo armor case, but I got one of the vector dual flame inserts (single jet and soft flame) that has worked great for me.

The long neck bic lighters are definitely my favorite. But, because of this video I have ordered the zippo pipe lighter!

Yep! Zippo for me! Reliable, easy to use. Inexpensive. Easy and cheap to maintain. And they're just cool! I agree about the odor and taste. I smell the fuel for a second after lighting. But I can't say I've ever tasted it; maybe the very split second of initial light, but that's it. Nothing that's ever bothered me.

A solid overview. I'm a Zippo guy and I think the fuel taste debate gets blown out of sorts. My pipe bag always has a couple Bics for back up if I run out of fuel. Excellent video Wilson. Enjoyed your interview on the Pipe and Tobacco Talk Podcast.

Zippo for me. One of the cons is that they will dry out after a bit. I just get in the habit of topping off the fuel once a week. As far as smelling or tasting fuel I find that letting it burn for just a couple seconds before touching it to the pipe gets rid of any excessive fumes and taste (if any)

100% agree that Zippos with the pipe insert are the way to go. If the fuel taste is an issue, letting it burn for 5+ sec before putting it to the tobac seems to reduce the taste some, but I've grown to like that taste a bit at the beginning, haha

I’ve been using Zippos for decades. It was my first lighter before I even started smoking. I smoked cigarettes for over a decade and ALWAYS had it on my persons and felt naked without it. I quit smoking cigarettes years ago but still smoked cigars on occasion and recently got into pipes. I never understood the snobs who claimed it was a sin to light a cigar with a Zippo…. I’m with you maybe you smell/taste it the first puff or two but it definitely goes away. They are a fantastic product and the best value for what you get. They are reliable, durable, have a lifetime warranty, and are one of the few products still made in the States! Their customer service is fantastic! Although they don’t repair inserts anymore they do send you a brand new one if you send in your lighter. You can even keep the old one. That’s how I turned mine into a pipe lighter. I sent it in to have the hinge repaired and requested a pipe style insert and they obliged.

I'm a zippo piper. Other than being surprised by being out of fuel... it is the lighter I'll always be using. I have enjoyed your review of lighters.

Good advice. Thanks. Like the books too!

I'm only a few months into the hobby and I ahve to agree witht he zippo. They work great in the wind and I've tried so many other methods and I always come back to the zippo.

I used to own several Zippos when I smoked cigarettes 30 years ago. I agree with everything you've said about them. I really appreciated the build quality and my only reservation about buying another one now is that they may be of lower quality. Can you confirm that they are still solidly built and nicely finished? Many thanks from the UK

Wow i have the same zippo down to the design on the case, i came here thinking I'd be told there were better ways. Imagine my shock when i found out the good ol zippo wins again.

I use the Zippo with the pipe insert, and you're right about all the pros and cons there. I was thinking that I could find something a little better for the wind, since I'm smoking more outside during breaks at work. But honestly, the Zippo is great. I also find that the lighter fluid taste that people talk about is overrated. I get that for maybe a second, then it's all tobacco taste. Great list!

👍 I myself keep a regular sized zippo and a bic for backup in my pipe pouch. Also had it sent to zippo for exchanging the insert for the pipe style (only paying the shipping) 😉

my pipe smoking friend, you left out one of the cons with the zippo. It’s probably the biggest con of all the lighters. The collectibility. once you get used to the zippo and he figure out that it is the superior way to light your pipe, all those variations that you talked about combined with the low cost make it a very slippery slope to start collecting them. And before you blink, you’ve got a dozen. And then blink again and you got two dozen.

Great info to pass along to folks! I've used just about all the lighters you talked about. The clipper lighters with the long nose if you will are great and are refillable. Thanks for the great video!!

I love using cedar spills to initially light my pipes. Great video!!!!

The best way to light your pipe is anyway you have available

For your zippo, If you haven’t rerouted your wick and switched the felt seal out for just a corner of a freeer bag, that really helps with the fuel lasting a long time. I can easily get a week and that’s using it a lot. Probably can stretch it out to 2 weeks if you use it less.

Thanks for the video, i'm currently considering obtaining a dedicated pipe lighter. I used to have one but it jumped from my hands and broke (i actually did the typical clumsy thing and tried to catch it but instead made the situation worse by whacking it faster to the ground)

I was gifted a Zippo pipe lighter when I left my old job. Can't fault it at all, tremendous Before that, and when I misplace my zippo, I use matches and use my old cigar torch lighter to relight them so I get more out of them I suppose the only drawback of zippos is that the fuel evaporates over time, not recommended for occasional users; you'll waste a lot of it.

I really need to listen to you and get the one with the pipe insert part of the chimney but boy, I'm fighting with myself. There's a lighter that's a replica of a lighter from a show. I really love used by one of my favorite characters. I wanted so bad, it's a cool lol but it's more of your standard zipo tipe

Thank you for that information and your review on the lighters. It was helpful! Have a wonderful day!

I just want light anywhere matches back 😢

I have 3 pipe lighters. Bought a zippo pipe insert, I have a $15 Captain Black refillable Gas light I got off Pipes and Cigars webpage, and an IM corona pewter pipe lighter with all the different pipe shapes on it that I received as a gift a long time ago. The zippo insert I couldn’t seem to pull the flame down enough to get an even light, the IM I still have packed away,so the Captain Black lighter is the one I prefer to use. It’s a soft flame lighter. Long neck Bic lighters are good , if you can find them but there are some refillable long neck ones as well

Yeah I was at that competition and saw you use matches. And that's the only thing I'll say about that event. 😊

I change fairly often on what I use, if I am fishing on my boat I tend to go for a zippo (picky on what fuel I use zippo brand only others have left weird tastes) if I am at home matches or my Peterson lighter. If I’m driving it’s almost always a bic, just in case I drop it.

My favourite is a Zippo too, they or some are quite elegant too imo. I do use the Zippo made butane pipe insert though. Pro tip I learned about long stem bic type lighters, the knock offs non-bics at the dollar store are surprisingly, refillable, but not bic brand I believe. I’m going to purchase a 20$ pipe lighter soon they look effective and good, and one day a kiribi.

I use a torch lighter due to the wind, plus I'm new to pipe smoking so I'm not so good at keeping it lit yet. Getting better at it though!

I love my three beattie jet lighters, very pipe specific lighter

You can also buy the Zippo pipe inserts separately if you already have a Zippo.

Great run thru of lighter options.

Agree totally with the review on zippos. Some guys make it sound like you use one and your whole smoking experiences tastes like lighter fluid. Just not true at all.

i prep using matches

You definitely have enough matches! That box you got was packed!! 😂

I have a decent “old boy” style butane lighter from JM Boswells that serves me well. Matches I’ve noticed get me a better char and light faster then most soft flame lighters. Unfortunately my taste buds are too prissy for the zippos 😂

Let me make it easy; ZIPPO

best pipe lighter is dunhill unique

Both aesthetically and practically zippos are great, but the taste is a real issue if you’re someone who is sensitive to it. I really wish I could use it for anything other than a backup because it is so effective, but those fumes mess up my sense of taste/smell for the first half of the bowl or so. I think it’s something that just varies from person to person. Some people claim cilantro tastes like dish soap, but it’s fine to me (as long as you don’t confuse it for parsley and put it n an Italian dish). Lighting up with a zippo feels like I’m taking a big whiff from the back end of my weed eater after starting it.

I like my pipe Zippo

Hard to beat matches for indoor use and zippo for outdoor.

I use torch lighters and do not lie

My zippo 100% dependable but something really nostalgic using matches. I use matches when I can but outside its zippo everytime. My palette doesn't register the fuel taste.

I only use standard BIC gas lighters. Preferably the standard sparky ones. They cost under a buck if you buy a couple of them. I have not felt the urge to spent money on a lighter. Nothing is as reliable as a BIC lighter. The fancier they get, the less reliable they are. You needed to strike your other lighters three times to get a flame.

Am i stupid or something ? How do i do this without burning blisters all in my mouth and tongue

Okay am I missing something?? I thought butane was cleaner burning than Zippo fuel. 🤔

I like wooden matches.

Nice review! Where did you get that vest?

I like a zippo or IMCO.

Are you using "soft flame lighters" as a category or to differentiate between those and the Bic lighters? I was under the impression that a Bic had a "soft flame".

the guys at the cigar lounge utterly hate it when i use my zippo to light my pipe. they say "USE A FUCKING MATCH HOLY SHIT" all the time. i dont care, i have a pipe insert and i like the way my zippo feels and looks! let me use it, snobs. i have way too many matchboxes now due to the owner just throwing them at me

Zippo!

God sheds a tear and the devil burns a soul for every bowl lit by a jet lighter.

You can’t light a pipe with a match you shouldn’t be smoking a pipe

First~

Your bookshelf is incredible. Definitely need to get that Systematic Theology by Berkhof.

Completely agree with your rankings here. I bought a box of matches with my first pipe. Went through 4 or 5 before even getting a good char light. Tried a Bic I had laying about the next time. It was passable, but I wanted a more permanent solution. Stopped at a smoke shop while I was traveling and saw the coolest Zippo-a sort of pirate ship&map thing. I used that for a while until I saw someone mention that Zippo made pipe inserts. Immediately orded one and I've been using it ever since. I really like how customizable Zippos are, and appreciate how simple they are. Easy to use, easy to refuel, easy to maintain. Just a great tool.

I keep going back to the zippo. I’ve had just about every variation of a butane lighter from a bit to an older boy, it genuine. I am corona I keep going back to the zippo. I’ve had just about every variation of a butane lighter from a bit to an im corona old boy, but I keep coming back to the zippo because it works better. butane lighters don’t work well outside or in a room with a ceiling fan and all the rooms in my house have ceiling fans. One thing no one talks about with butane lighters as that they’re generally pretty poor quality. The Bicks are actually really good quality, especially when he factor that they’re like three bucks. But the more expensive butane lighters that have the electric ignition. I’ve never had one last more than a month or two before the ignition stop working.

I wrap a hemp Wick around my pipe stem light the hemp Wick with a match and use the wick to light the pipe

Don't forget that matches are great in that they'll never char your pipe. Interestingly, matches burn hotter than Zippos it seems! I don't know if links to other RU-vid videos are welcomed here but there's a fella that compared the different flames (matches, Zippo, generic butane, and butane pipe lighter) with a thermo coupler. Just search "realistic flame temperature comparison between matches, Zippo". That should be enough to get you to NV Projects channel.

I have to say first that i used a Zippo for cigarettes over 50 years ago and i had no problems except when filling the fluid would leak and burn my leg. The fluid was much better back the and even smoking 2 packs a day, i only filled the lighter about every week. Flash forward...I smoke a pipe and i decided that i wanted a light and i saw Zippo had a pipe lighter, so i bought one. It needed to be filled about ever 3 days, but it worked. I saw that Zippo had a butane insert so i tried that. That proved to be a piece of junk that just wouldn't light. This week i have a few items coming in. I bought a diferent make electric butane insert. I'll see if that works to my satisfaction. I also have a package of Bic lighters coming in. I know that they will light. I thought about matches, but then i need an ash tray to put the used matches in. Many years ago before lighters, everyone lit their pipe with matches. I never planned on getting this involved for a simple task as lighting a pipe!

Love watching your videos, and smoking a bowl with you. Agree with the Zippo pipe lighters. I also think that tasting the lighter fuel when lighting pipe is a bunch of bull. Even just a taste is noticed, it's worth it to enjoy the rest of the bowl. With matches I always seem to need several, and always nearly burn my fingers. God Bless and keep you and yours safe.

I could taste the Ronson fuel in a zippo but the zippo fuel works great and zippo has a lifetime warranty

I find the zippo made for pipes to require a much harder draw in order to light my tobacco. Maybe I’m doing something wrong, but it feels like I have to draw hard to get that flame to come down.

Got a zippo with the butane pipe insert and I would not recommend it for sure. It is difficult to not burn your hand with it because you have to hold the trigger down the whole time. Just ordered the lighter fuel one though. Thanks for the recommendation!

Real pipe smokers use matches. I use Bic lighters unless I happen across my fancy lighter and it actually has fuel in it.

I’ve got my eye on some nicer lighters, but for now I’ve tried several of the cheaper options. I used bics and matches a good bit, but wanted something refillable and basic. I picked up a metal clipper on Amazon for ten bucks, and it’s been a simple, reliable, and the larger flame when you tip it works nice.

Good info. I always enjoy your videos. One thing you didn't mention ... I prefer my Old Boy because the Zippo fluid evaporates too quickly. I have to refill my butane lighter MUCH less frequently than the Zippo.

I have a reusable match which is really cool.

Excellent video! I keep wanting to get a snazzier looking lighter, but at the end of the day continue to enjoy my Zippo with the pipe insert. I have never had a problem with tasting the fuel. It works great and has that classic "click." Still, I am going to head to your Amazon link to browse a bit. Thanks!

all i use is a zippo

I always liked a wood match but they have their cons. I use Bic lighters most frequently, not distinguished or elegant but they serve the purpose and are basically maintenance free.

Hey Wilson. I also prevere Zippo lighters, but in Germany they are much more expensiv. 😓 Thank's for present your lighters. Greetings from Mittelhessen

If no wind, I use my torch lighter (gave up cigars) and use them to light stick matches. Burns the sulfur off right away, But most of the time I use Bic extended tubes and buy them online directly from BIC. Good price even compaired to Walmart prices. Tired of always running out of fuel for my Zip's or Propane.

My number 1 is a Corona old boy. Very reliable, and ergonomically the easiest for me. Second choice is a big wooden match, third is a bic, but only if I’m out of the nest.

Just a tip for those in the market for pricier lighters: P&C occasionally has 20% off cart deals, and with the free shipping, you could spend around $100 and get a really nice lighter and a few blends to boot.

I bought a zippo with the pipe insert. I love using a zippo and playing with them. The Peterson lighter is pretty slick though. I definitely like the look but I don’t want it if it’s finicky. I love the long stem bic lighters too for reliability and convenience but it cheapens the experience of pipe smoking for me. I love using wood matches but only when indoors or where there is no wind at all which is very rare.

I hate the taste of my zippo. It was my first pipe lighter when I was new. Maybe mine is defective because I dropped it a few times. I might buy another to see if that's the case.

Clipper makes a long neck like the bic that is refillable and adjustable. I’ve been using the same one for almost a year now.

So I’ve been smoking pipes for about 8 months now, and I think I’m doing something wrong; I have 2 that are getting charring/blackened on the OUTSIDE of the bowl. I think it’s because I’m smoking them too hot? Every time I smoke the bowl gets too hot to handle, but I don’t know how to smoke slower, I go for like 30-40 minute sessions. But I don’t want to ruin my pipes, and I’m afraid I’ve done so. Any advice my friends?

I’ve been using a xikar Verano flat flame torch lately. I bought it for cigars but it works great for pipes too. Not to hot and easy to control. I paid $50.00