Lighters and methods of actually lighting a pipe exist in many shapes and forms, and are, for obvious reasons, fundamental to the art of pipe smoking. But does it actually matter what you use to light up your pipe? While novices probably aren't aware of the existence of special types of lighters for pipes or how they differ from "regular" lighters that are used by millions everyday who enjoy puffing on their cigarettes, the real pipe aficionados will tell you that a specially designed pipe lighter is the only way to "fire up" your bowl of your favourite blend. Actually, wooden matches are quite good too (plus it looks kind of cool lighting up this way), since the flame is quite cool and offers you a good level of control in most conditions, but the truth is that it's not usually that convenient to carry a box of them around. That leads us back to pipe lighters...

What Makes a Pipe Lighter Different?

So exactly how are pipe lighters any different to those standard Bic disposables that tons of people carry around? Here are a couple of the major differences:

• The Flame is Angled - If you've ever tried to light your pipe with a Bic disposable, whether you own a briar or a meerschaum, you probably ended up burning your fingers, which isn't cool! The other common type of lighter used is a torch, but those tend to burn the rim of the pipe, which not only affects the pipe aesthetically, but it can affect the taste of your smile too. Pipe lighters offer a perfectly angled flame that is able to light your bowl full of the good stuff without burning either your fingers or your beloved pipe. How about that!
• The Flame is Soft - This is the other necessary requirement of lighting your pipe up. Using a flame that is too strong could cause some serious damage to your pipe and it's also likely to affect the taste of your smoke. Why would you even want to risk that?! The flame produced by a pipe lighter is orange as opposed to blue.

What Fuels Do These Lighters Use?

There is essentially two different options when it comes to fuels for pipe lighters, but by far the most popular is butane, which offers several different advantages to the pipe smoker. Firstly, it's a type of fuel that has very little effect on the taste of the tobacco, ensuring that even the subtlest undertones of your favourite blend are left untouched. It is also relatively inexpensive when compared to other fuels and lights instantly. The one thing that you do need to be aware of when using a butane-filled pipe lighter, however, is that they don't deal with wind very well at all. Even if there happen to be the slightest breeze, you might find it an impossible experience to light your bowl, which is not much use if you're an outdoor kind of person in a windy area. However, inside, where there really ought to be no wind at all (if there is, your windows and doors seriously need checking), it's the perfect fuel. Lucienne, Whip-It, Newport and Puretane are all some of the main brands, all of which are stocked by Paykoc Imports. If wind is going to be an issue then liquid lighter fuel (naphtha) is a good alternative, but many have reported this to have a consider effect on the taste of your tobacco.

Ignition Options: How Do You Fire 'Em Up?

The way the lighter is actually ignited is very much old world Vs modern world. The most popular and, at least in my opinion, type of ignition system used is the flint-wheel system that you've no doubt used loads of times before on "regular lighters."The "wheel" is textured and as it is turned, it creates the spark which lights the fuel. This type of ignition very rarely fails, which is why it's so well liked, in addition to the fact that it looks real cool! No matter how old it is, a flint wheel will always fire up usually. On to the modern world system that we were talking about. Rather like much of the modern world, it's electronic. Well, if you want to get all technical its known as a piezoelectric lighting system. Instead of a flint-wheel, this system comprises of a spring loaded hammer that hits a crystal when initiated, which creates an electric current that is sent across a spark gap, igniting the fuel. This type of system generally doesn't possess the same usable lifespan and it just doesn't look as cool as a flint-wheel lighter either!

There you have it, a quick introduction to a pipe accessory that you absolutely must own to have the perfect pipe smoking experience.