Matches.
Having gotten that out of the way promptly, I’ll take my opportunity to expound.
I love lighters. Particularly, I love Zippo lighters. There are many reasons to cherish these fire-making objects, shared by many different people along the world. I bought my first Zippo, a knock-off, from a friend of mine for $10, when I was 16. It had a psychedelic little Alice in Wonderland illustration etched in it’s side, a sign of its cheapness, and it fell apart at the hinge a few months after use. Nevertheless, I’ve since acquired many Zippos, real ones, and they are a treasure. Many were presents from others, a few were from myself.
I only make semi-regular use of one, currently, an old copper plated job I went looking for years ago. Today it’s dirty and oxidizing, as I’d hoped it would. It lights well and I honestly can’t taste the fuel through more than the first few puffs of a cigar.
I don’t use a Zippo when I’m smoking a pipe. Moreover, I don’t use any lighters.
My thoughts are this: If it’s too windy to use a match, likely it’s too windy for a good smoke. And what are pipe smokers if not those fellows who aim high for the best smoke?
I know those who prefer lighters. Who could blame them? Matches are a bitch if you can’t tame that quick flame.
Insisting on a match has kept me patient with my pipes. I have to pack the bowl more carefully and I have to be mindful about how many matches I have versus how many times I may need to re-light. Learning these lessons and minding some of the certain rules by which one will have to play when insisting on matches before lighters should result in more thoughtful care of your pipes and smoking pleasure.