Corona v Kiribi: A Lighter Journey

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Manawydan

Can't Leave
Apr 24, 2024
329
2,129
Southern California, US
Greetings Pipers! I have seen many posts asking questions about these two lighters, and given that I own both I thought I’d share what I’ve learned. My opinions are specific to the two lighters I own and your own experience may differ from mine.

Initial Thoughts

The IM Corona “Old Boy” and the Kiribi Takara are both well-made lighters that feel great in the hand. They each have a premium weight and finish.

IMG_4435.jpegIMG_4436.jpeg

IM Corona “Old Boy”

I own the Blue Metallic Lacquer and Chrome version. It was the first premium lighter I bought. At the time I found it on Amazon for $140 USD. I haven’t had any issues with the lighter so far. While I always have a tamper with me, I almost never have a pick tool so there are times that I really appreciate the built-in tamper/pick.

IMG_4438.jpeg

Kiribi Takara

I own the Takara Black dual-flame angled pipe lighter. I’ve admired the aesthetic for a while and decided I deserved a good qualtiy ‘backup’ lighter. I found it on Amazon with 20 replacement flints for $110 USD ($104 USD without). I like the design with the embossed Kiribi “K” and giant squid (as my avatar will attest). The nozzle cover is larger than the Corona’s, and with the extended “Samurai Helm Wing” lever, the mechanism feels a bit bulkier overall. It functions identically to the Corona however — just a design difference. I haven’t noticed any difference between its dual-flame vs the Corona — both light pretty much identically and well. I haven’t had any issues with the Takara so far except that when the refill nozzle screw is removed, the bottom plate falls off. Doesn’t affect operation of course, and feels completely solid when reassembled, just a difference from the Corona.

IMG_4439.jpeg

I’ve seen a few videos where people think the Kiribi is awkward to light, and they have to turn it around in their hand during the process. I don’t find this to be the case at all — from the photo below, you can hopefully see that my index finger drapes over the lever. A downward swipe with the finger and then my thumb comes across to activate the flint wheel. Smooth and easy with a little practice and no lighter turning gymnastics needed (also has a nice ‘fidget factor’).

IMG_4437.jpeg

Conclusion

I use both equally and love them both. They will both go about two weeks between refills with my daily use. I really don’t think you can go wrong with either. It mostly comes down to style preference — art-deco vs Japanese — and of course the $35 price difference.
 

BingBong

Lifer
Apr 26, 2024
1,179
5,087
London UK
That's informative. I have the Peterson, apparently made by the Kiribi people, and there are detail differences. It really suits my left handedness, thumb flips up the cover and then sparks the flintwheel, half a second to light - my right hand dexterity is toast and I've wondered how dexters use it, seems difficult.

Have you dropped either of these on the floor?
 

Manawydan

Can't Leave
Apr 24, 2024
329
2,129
Southern California, US
That's informative. I have the Peterson, apparently made by the Kiribi people, and there are detail differences. It really suits my left handedness, thumb flips up the cover and then sparks the flintwheel, half a second to light - my right hand dexterity is toast and I've wondered how dexters use it, seems difficult.

Have you dropped either of these on the floor?
I haven't dropped either yet.
 
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PLANofMAN

Might Stick Around
Jan 13, 2024
54
104
44
Salem, Oregon
That's informative. I have the Peterson, apparently made by the Kiribi people, and there are detail differences. It really suits my left handedness, thumb flips up the cover and then sparks the flintwheel, half a second to light - my right hand dexterity is toast and I've wondered how dexters use it, seems difficult.

Have you dropped either of these on the floor?
I've dropped an Old Boy multiple times. It's gotten to the point where I just check to make sure the flint retention screw is still tight and shove it back into my pocket without checking the function first. I didn't buy it to be my fancy lighter, I bought it because I wanted something reliable and bulletproof.

Haven't owned a Peterson/Kiribi. I have ordered a second (used) Old Boy as a backup and house lighter. Probably not to everyone's taste, but I do like the Savinelli briar sleeved version, especially the sandblast.
Screenshot_2024-06-19-12-52-39-58_260528048de7f2f358f0056f785be619.jpg
Edit: Part of the reason I butterfinger my old boy so often is that I bought the 'chrome lines' version, which can be like holding an ice cube, rather slippery. Hoping the texture on the Sav version helps with retention.
 

craig61a

Lifer
Apr 29, 2017
6,151
52,848
Minnesota USA
I’ve owned two Kiribi’s. One stopped working after about a year. I returned it to SP, and they replaced it. Apparently had a cracked gas valve/line. The return was lost by me after several months.

The other one stopped working after the two year warranty period. Plugged valve?

I guess I would expect a little more mileage out of an approximately $100 lighter. I wouldn’t buy another.
 
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