Kiribi Mod

[olkofri]

Well, I needed to have redundancy in terms of lighters, seeing the current trends and given how often I keep dropping my Mikazuki when I get out of the car, so I knew I had to spring for a new Kiribi this past IPSD. As I was compulsively clicking on the link to SPC on the list of sponsors, in one of those times I saw that Kiribi has a leather-wrapped version of the Kabuto –the Kuroi:

Last time I dropped my Mikazuki I saw that the shiny metal in it had quite a few dents, so the idea of a leather sleeve was appealing, but the curved shape of the base and platform in the Mikazuki made it a bit tricky, so I decided to buy a plain matte Kabuto. Too bad for SPC, they didn't offer discounts on accessories for IPSD; Tobaccopipes.com did and they got my business.

The lighter got here last Tuesday and I got to work last night. A piece of Riviera calfskin and blue Tiger thread later...






Sure, it doesn't have the sea critter stamped on it, but what the heck.

 

[shanez]

Last time I dropped

That's how I moded my Kiribi.

I really like your leather mod. Much better than my concrete damage mod.

 

[ofafeather]

That’s handsome! When do you start taking orders?

 

[olkofri]

Much better than my concrete damage mod.

Huh!? Please explain! ?

 

[shanez]

Huh!? Please explain! ?

I dropped one of mine on my back patio concrete and it loaded on the little part that flips up.

I was able to get things back in place and it still works fine but I can't get the screw that holds the part all the way back in.

 

[bullet08]

Dropped mine once. Last time I used Kiribi. Tiny ding, but it shows and I can feel it every time I pick it up. When I drop my Zippo, it adds character, not annoying damage.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Nicely done! The Karibi Kabuto is the only pipe lighter I’ve ever had. Never needed another one.

 

[Mr_houston]

That’s really good looking. You’ve got some skills.

 

[brian64]

Well, I needed to have redundancy in terms of lighters, seeing the current trends and given how often I keep dropping my Mikazuki when I get out of the car, so I knew I had to spring for a new Kiribi this past IPSD. As I was compulsively clicking on the link to SPC on the list of sponsors, in one of those times I saw that Kiribi has a leather-wrapped version of the Kabuto –the Kuroi:

Last time I dropped my Mikazuki I saw that the shiny metal in it had quite a few dents, so the idea of a leather sleeve was appealing, but the curved shape of the base and platform in the Mikazuki made it a bit tricky, so I decided to buy a plain matte Kabuto. Too bad for SPC, they didn't offer discounts on accessories for IPSD; Tobaccopipes.com did and they got my business.

The lighter got here last Tuesday and I got to work last night. A piece of Riviera calfskin and blue Tiger thread later...

View attachment 69132


View attachment 69133

Sure, it doesn't have the sea critter stamped on it, but what the heck.

Nice work...looks great!

And the color matches your fur!

 

[happy_lunter]

Great looking mod. Enjoy!

 

[olkofri]

Dropped mine once. Last time I used Kiribi. Tiny ding, but it shows and I can feel it every time I pick it up. When I drop my Zippo, it adds character, not annoying damage.

Yeah. I guess it'd depend on the finish of the Zippo. Mine is a matte black, and any dings or scratches would look terrible.

Aside from a case, the only way to protect Kiribis' nickel from unsightly dints would be a nigh-full sleeve, the kind used for Bics:



However, Kiribis require rather constant adjusting of the flame, specially as their fuel gets used up, and Bic style sleeves may prove quite impractical.

 

[bent1]

I slipped a piece of bicycle innertube over my Corona Old Boy. Cut it long enough to cover the bottom.

 

[didimauw]

Dropped mine once. Last time I used Kiribi. Tiny ding, but it shows and I can feel it every time I pick it up. When I drop my Zippo, it adds character, not annoying damage.

Yes, character!

 

[bullet08]

Yes, character!

View attachment 71439
View attachment 71440

Ditto.

 

[kcghost]

Nice mod! I have a number of Coronas that I purchase and had a local leathersmith create a pouch for them. Weren't cheap but they were quite luxurious,

 

[ofafeather]

Ditto.

View attachment 71463

Same. I sanded the lacquer off straight away.

 

[bullet08]

Same. I sanded the lacquer off straight away.

Just carrying it around in pocket did it. I got lot of crap in my pocket!

 

[shanez]

Not to get off track but if someone with no skills wanted to wrap a small cylinder and likely glue it on instead of sewing what would be a good choice of glue and leather?

 

[anotherbob]

that might explain why I never seem to drop the zippo or the one time I did I was able to catch it.

 

[olkofri]

Not to get off track but if someone with no skills wanted to wrap a small cylinder and likely glue it on instead of sewing what would be a good choice of glue and leather?

I wouldn't recommend it. The glue kinda makes it permanent.

I use contact cement. Domestic product, but the choice amongst many leathercrafters is Barge. Leather is up to you, but I chose the Riviera calf because if essentially unscratchable. You can see that the creases barely shew on my sleeve and I was using a rather high temperature on the creaser: the same temperature that would char crazy horse or veg tan leather.