Match Preference

[danthebugman]

I looked briefly and didn't see a thread for this (maybe I overlooked it or didn't search deep enough though :dunno, but I'm looking for suggestions on matches. When the wind isn't blowing and my mood is right, I really enjoy the process of firing up a cigar with matches. I'm about out of the matches they give out when you buy cigars at the local B&M. They work okay. My only complaint is they don't seem to want to burn very long before going out and I go through a lot of them before getting the cigar going sufficiently. Been looking around at a few places and was wondering if anyone had any comments about their favorite matches...

Dan

 

[Monsterdg]

I got some "cigar" matches years ago at a B&M; they were a good 4" long and worked pretty well. I haven't seen any since. Have you tried using spills? I love to get my hands on some thicker/sturdier spills.

 

[Martin3203]

Saw at my local B&M there is now a company making cigar spills. They were $30, think you got 250 in the box. Here is the site if you want to check them out.
http://www.cedarspills.com/

 

[mdwest]

regular old diamond long reach fireplace matches like you can buy at wal-mart, k-mart, or target have always worked well for me..

extra thick.. about 8" long... strike on the box, etc.. more than enough match to properly light a cigar (or two..)... for less than $5 a box of 75....

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10801385&cagpspn=pla

 

[danthebugman]

I would prefer matches to spills, but that would be an option. $30 seems like a lot compared to the price of a few boxes of matches. Plus I use the matches to light the grill when I grill.

Dan

 

[thejavaman]

regular old diamond long reach fireplace matches like you can buy at wal-mart, k-mart, or target have always worked well for me..

extra thick.. about 8" long... strike on the box, etc.. more than enough match to properly light a cigar (or two..)... for less than $5 a box of 75....

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10801385&cagpspn=pla

I also use these. I always light my cigars with matches whenever possible...

 

[Martin3203]

Never thought about those long grill matches lol. Great idea and a fraction of the price compared to the spills!

 

[Jfire]

Dan If you would like I could send u a bunch of the spills from the herf. To me they work really well compared to homemade spills I've used before. Lmk I can send them after the MS this week.

 

[pbibby]

regular old diamond long reach fireplace matches like you can buy at wal-mart, k-mart, or target have always worked well for me..

extra thick.. about 8" long... strike on the box, etc.. more than enough match to properly light a cigar (or two..)... for less than $5 a box of 75....

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10801385&cagpspn=pla

I also use these. I always light my cigars with matches whenever possible...

I thought these things were coated with something? Like to make them burn better? IDK

 

[mdwest]

I don't think they're coated... At least I can't detect any sort of coat.. No smell, no sheen, etc...

They even advertise that the tips are non toxic, suitable for food preparation, etc...

 

[pbibby]

I don't think they're coated... At least I can't detect any sort of coat.. No smell, no sheen, etc...

They even advertise that the tips are non toxic, suitable for food preparation, etc...

Thanks. Just wondered. but if you can't tell then that's good enough!!

 

[Red Raider]

Saw at my local B&M there is now a company making cigar spills. They were $30, think you got 250 in the box. Here is the site if you want to check them out.
http://www.cedarspills.com/

This is a whole new side to cigars. I think i may try these one of these days. Customisable too!!! Sounds like a business write off to my side gig!

 

[thejavaman]

I don't think they're coated... At least I can't detect any sort of coat.. No smell, no sheen, etc...

They even advertise that the tips are non toxic, suitable for food preparation, etc...

Thanks. Just wondered. but if you can't tell then that's good enough!!

Plus, I always just let them burn for a few seconds before lighting the cigar. Call me crazy, but I definitely think lighting cigars with matches makes them taste better versus using a butane torch...

 

[kockroach]

Remember, two types of matches, one that requires the strike pad and one that doesn't (strike anywhere). The latter has a tip that will do the job of the strike pad on the other matches. I seem to recall it is recommended to not use strike anywhere matches, due to that tip giving off flavors, much like regular bic lighter fluid.

 

[CigarGavin]

I don't think they're coated... At least I can't detect any sort of coat.. No smell, no sheen, etc...

They even advertise that the tips are non toxic, suitable for food preparation, etc...

Thanks. Just wondered. but if you can't tell then that's good enough!!

Plus, I always just let them burn for a few seconds before lighting the cigar. Call me crazy, but I definitely think lighting cigars with matches makes them taste better versus using a butane torch...

Debate of the century; I find that if lighting with a cedar spill I can taste the cedar for a moment before the taste of the cigar, but IMHO butane or cedar doesn't add or subtract flavor from my cigar. As long as you keep the direct flame from a butane torch or soft flame off the cigar and don't char it, I can't tell a difference. My 2 cents anyway

 

[thejavaman]

I don't think they're coated... At least I can't detect any sort of coat.. No smell, no sheen, etc...

They even advertise that the tips are non toxic, suitable for food preparation, etc...

Thanks. Just wondered. but if you can't tell then that's good enough!!

Plus, I always just let them burn for a few seconds before lighting the cigar. Call me crazy, but I definitely think lighting cigars with matches makes them taste better versus using a butane torch...

Debate of the century; I find that if lighting with a cedar spill I can taste the cedar for a moment before the taste of the cigar, but IMHO butane or cedar doesn't add or subtract flavor from my cigar. As long as you keep the direct flame from a butane torch or soft flame off the cigar and don't char it, I can't tell a difference. My 2 cents anyway

I do agree that it's absolutely a "personal preference" type of thing. I still use butane torches when I'm on the go or at work too, but any chance I get, I use matches or cedar spills.

 

[mdwest]

I prefer a soft flame... and prefer matches over lighters...

But honestly... I use a colibri triple flame torch 70% of the time... Mostly out of pure laziness... (it's faster... and easier...)...

 

[AKtracks]

When indoors I usually use matches.

I take the long grill/fireplace matches and cut them off so they fit into one of those metal Altoids gum tins and I stick the sandpaper striker from the matchbox to the back of the tin. Kinda ghetto, kinda cool, works for me.

 

[pbibby]

When indoors I usually use matches.

I take the long grill/fireplace matches and cut them off so they fit into one of those metal Altoids gum tins and I stick the sandpaper striker from the matchbox to the back of the tin. Kinda ghetto, kinda cool, works for me.

Haha creative and ghetto. Like it!

 

[Simian504]

My spill trick is the best!!!! (maybe/maybe not)
I save the cedar sheets from my boxes & get them from the local shops when I go. I cut them about 1/2" wide going with the grain. I have them in a neat little shot glass next to the humi so the stay dry as possible. When it's time to light up I grab 2 or 3 and fan them out. I then run a lighter over them being careful not to light them on fire just yet. Running fire over each side dries them out further prepairing them for the best possible burn. Anyone who has done this knows they go out too quick sometimes.
From here you can go one of two ways...
Either cut the cigar, toast and puff, or fully ignite the cigar's foot and then make your cut.
When I'm firing up with a torch I always fully ignite the foot then make my cut. This keeps nasty gasses from entering the cigar.
Hope this helps. It's a method I assembled from what I consider to be best practices from various videos and other smokers.