Hot Stuff: A lighting technique that is matchless...

[Capn Jimbo]

Does it matter how you light your pipe?


As the Compleat Idiot, I got tired of using wooden matches as troublesome, sulfurous and maybe even more expensive in the long run. It didn't help that my pipe packing skills were crummy, thus requiring tens of relights.

So of course I looked for and found a decent butane pipe lighter - the kind where the flame emerges from the side of the lighter with a nice gentle flame. At least this way, relighting was simple and portable.


But then I found this article...

The Thermodynamics of Pipe Smoking
http://www.apassionforpipes.com/classic ... oking.html

In this article the very qualified author makes a case for matches, and for different chamber shapes for different tobaccos, a notion further developed here:

http://www.pipesandcigars.com/faq/artic ... ect-a-pipe

Both are well worth a read, and boy does it make sense insofar as improving the experience.

[da'rum]

I use a bic lighter. I have used matches and cedar sticks....zero difference. Horses for courses though I suppose.

[Dai]

I use a lighter.

2014-06-04 13.14.56 by Dai7261, on Flickr