what is your latest pipe purchase

[Pipe Smoker]

My $90 Zino pipe lighter was showing signs of expiring, so several weeks ago I looked on Cup O’ Joes web site for a new one. I found a nice looking “Lotus Gaucho Grey Pipe Lighter” for $45, and bought it. Then I noticed an inexpensive “JetLine” lighter that looked pretty nice, for only $10.80:

Jetline G Pipe Lighter - CupOJoes.com

So I took a chance and bought two of the JetLines also. Despite the “jet” in the name, they’re legitimate soft flame pipe lighters. I began using one of the JetLines about 5 weeks ago, and I’ve found it to be an excellent lighter. First, the basics: it lights reliably, and has enough capacity for a full day of pipe smoking. And, unlike my past $90 IM Corona Pipemasters (yeah, I’ve had three of them), it doesn’t singe my fingers in an adverse breeze. Furthermore, the smooth hard chrome upper part collects less soot than any lighter that I’ve ever used. And the little bit that does collect can be easily, and entirely, wiped off with a tissue moistened with Everclear. The mechanism just feels solid. I’m thinking that despite the very modest price, this is the best butane pipe lighter that I’ve ever had.

So this evening I bought two more of them, bring my total to four, because I figured that once the word got out about the excellence of these lighters the price would go up, or they would become scarce as hen’s teeth. Well, the price has already gone up — the two that I bought this evening were $12 ea, rather than $10.80 ea that I paid a few weeks ago. Still a wonderful bargain IMO. About the only caveat is that these are small lighters, that big hands might not like. Also, not windproof, but I’ve never seen a butane pipe lighter that is.

And finally, to breach the $95 free shipping threshold, I also bought seven tins of Hamborger Veermaster. The more I smoke this stuff the better I like it. Sweet, mild, and tasty.

Update: The second pair of these lighters arrived today. Like the first pair, one had bright chrome, the other smoky chrome. Both chrome finishes are very smooth and uniform -- no ripples. And both look nice in their own way. There was no hint on the Cup O' Joes web site of two different finishes. I'm still amazed by how nice these lighters are at such a low price.