Corona Old Boy - Are They Worth It?

[Philosophical Smoke]

I have always used matches, cheap butane pipe lighters, Linse lighters or Zippos. Recently I've thought about buying a COB and wanted to know what others think of them.

I'm sure there are posts all over here about them but I see nothing recent, so I'm asking for a 2025 update.

Thanks.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I've got a Sillem's Old Boy the same as this one:



It's body is silver and is covered in a Chinese lacquer but apart from that it works like a regular Old Boy.

Very nice lighter that is obvious quality. No good for outside if there's any wind, though.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Tons of posts - the lighter hasn’t changed so the wealth of information here is still relevant. “Worth it” is a value judgement. I like mine fine, not in a breeze, and the butane doesn’t generally disappear when idle like the lighter fluid. Enjoy Zippos and even a couple other models as well.

 

[craiginthecorn]

They haven't changed, so the old comments are still completely valid. They're well-made and reliable lighters that are affordably repaired by Arango when needed. There are a wide range of prices for them, depending on the case. The Sillems versions are quite a bit more expensive, but do look cool. The guts of the models are all the same, though.

My IM Corona was wrapped in alligator skin by Ed Graves of DarkFired Leather. I picked it up a few months ago because it matches the alligator pipe bag that I bought from Ed a few years ago. I've been using vintage Dunhill Rollagas lighters almost exclusively for several years, but have quite liked this IM Corona. That said, there are plenty of lighters that cost under $35 that work just fine. Brian Levine swears by his cheap disposable Djeep lighters. I'd say the IM Corona lighters are fairly priced for the level of quality.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I've always liked having mine around. Quality lighters in my opinion.

 

[Chasing Embers]

If you want one and can afford it go ahead. Completely useless in a breeze though and don't drop them. A cracked fuel tank costs as much as a new lighter. I've had two and will never buy another.

 

[Tobacjoe]

For me, the only purpose my Old Boy provides is a premium feel for a lighter And the angle of the flame. Is it worth it to me? Yes I’d say so.

 

[First Sealord]

I've tried Peterson, Colibri and Kilibri. None gave me satisfaction. I finally took the risk of getting an IM Corona and I am quite satisfied with it. It works great. Keep in mind it doesn't work well when there is some good wind.

 

[Pooh-Bah]

Yes, the flame has little to no wind resistance. But this does have a secret side benefit:
You can extinguish it by flicking your wrist, which will make you feel cool.

 

[Sigmund]

I had one. I liked it. In France a used Dupont is about the same price. Once I got a Dupont I sold the Old Boy and never looked back.

That said, if I didnt have access to a Dupont I would have been very happy with it.

I think of a nice ligher as a luxury item. Its not gonna do anything a 99 cent lighter wont do. Same with good pipes but I like those as well.

My only gripe with Corona is that they charge a lot more for patterns that are visually more insteresting and dont cost significanly more to produce but thats life. Its their company and they can price things how they want.

 

[brooklynpiper]

I stick with matches and just buy tobacco. Matches will always be available everywhere and burn cooler than either fuel. Have an issue with a match? Try a different match. Shake a box of matches and I have an idea when I'm running low. It's less temperamental.

I've yet to own a refillable lighter for a pipe that didn't fall apart. As some have already pointed out, it's not more competent in the wind. To me, it doesn't offer anything but decorum.

 

[Philosophical Smoke]

I stick with matches and just buy tobacco. Matches will always be available everywhere and burn cooler than either fuel. Have an issue with a match? Try a different match. Shake a box of matches and I have an idea when I'm running low. It's less temperamental.

I've yet to own a refillable lighter for a pipe that didn't fall apart. As some have already pointed out, it's not more competent in the wind. To me, it doesn't offer anything but decorum.

I have always been the same. If it's not windy, I'm using a match. It makes me feel like the older codger that I'm becoming.

Lately, I have just been thinking about upping my pretentiousness a bit by having a nice lighter. I wanna be one of the cool kids...

 

[pappymac]

I have been given Colibri, Vector and Xikar pipe lighters as gifts but none of them lasted more than seven or eight months before I started having trouble with them. The IM Corona Old Boy my wife gave me about two years ago is still working fine and I carry it with me. My first Old Boy style lighter was a Maruchan knock-off I paid $10 for at a flea market about 10 years ago. It stopped working a couple of years ago.

 

[Sigmund]

I have no idea if they are still made but 15 years ago I went through several Xikar old boy copies. They constantly leaked. No such problem with a real old boy. I do have a ali express 12 euro lighter that works pretty well. One could say its an Old Boy knock off but technically it is designed more like a Dunhill. For 12 or 14 bucks its hard to beat. Im sure the tank is plastic and will evenutally leak not as fast as the xikars I owned.

 

[Chasing Embers]

The only maintenance needed us refueling and flints.

 

[jakesmokes]

I have two I enjoy using them. Just don’t drop them. I broke my first one when I dropped it onto concrete. Luckily they can be sent off and repaired. Other than that I haven’t had any issues with them. I would recommend getting one. Nothing wrong with matches or a bic tho

 

[Manawydan]

My Corona Old Boy, blue lacquer, is my main lighter and I love it. More reliable than my Kiribi and if I lost it I would buy it again.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Compared to everything else, they’re just better. I have five now and they all work consistently well.

 

[BingBong]

I have a broken Peterson. There should be a padded sleeve for these things, why there is no dedicated accessory is a mystery.

 

[PaulRVA]

I have 4 Old Boys with the oldest being a Circa 1998 and it still gets daily use and still runs fine.
Run a refined butane, purge before fueling and you’ll have a trusty companion.