This is an interesting thread, and not just because it made me want to go skin up! :rastasmoke:

I have to agree that a butane lighter tastes less than matches. I don't think anyone is silly enough to light their joint with the sulfur burning full force... if they are it's a mistake they won't make more than once! What other chemicals do they use in matches? I wasn't aware that the wood had any chemicals in the 1/4 near the head to help it stay lit at first. If that's true, which brands of matches do you know contain those chemicals? What about those shitty paper-like matches that everyone should hate? Those often have a visible coating near the head.

Anyone who tells you that you cannot taste matches or butane does not have a sensitive tongue / throat. I think butane tastes less, but this is a matter of taste so it is completely subjective. I think the best suggestion so far is to hold the top of the flame several centimetres below the joint. I like to take a few pulls to get a real taste anyway so even if the first one tastes a bit off the rest should be clean and nice (imho).

-canuck :jointsmile: