Opinions on Kiribi lighters

[PipeIT]

I have Corona Old Boy I’ve had for a year, still working great.

For what it’s worth, mine has fallen from around 2 feet in height onto a wood floor twice, let’s just say I wouldn’t want to drop it on stone, tile or cement.

As of last year SPC had an additional warranty they tacked on if you bought one from them, covering labor costs and shipping, it’s the reason I bought one from them.

Might be worth looking into if they still offer this SPC warranty.

 

[92degrees]

Never had a problem with mine. I also have an Old Boy and use a Dissim quite often. All three have been excellent.

 

[trouttimes]

Neither the Kiribi nor the Old Boy is worth a crap in the wind. If I was on the coast, it would be a handful of cheap Bics. I’m not a fan of zippos even with the pipe insert. Seems like they were always empty when I need a light.

 

[varrj]

Love my Kiribati Kabuto shorty. Have used it for years and still lights on the first strike every time. General up-keep and cleaning will have one performing like a champ for a long time.

 

[kcghost]

My Kiribi worked extremely well for me and you could argue that for the price it is better than an Old Boy.

 

[shanez]

I love my Kiribis but they do kinda sick in the wind.

You're really just paying for looks vs a Bic but they do have the advantage of not having to hold down a button to keep them lit.

The zippo inserts seem to go through fuel like crazy.

 

[olkofri]

Kiribi all the way.

I made a leather sleeve for my Kabuto so that it doesn't look like shit if dropped or banged about.

 

[solideogloria86]

I have Kiribi Mikazuki. Love mine. 2.5 years in and I've only had to tighten (half turn) a screw in the case once, and swab gunk off the burn area with a q tip periodically. Never a failure to light on the first strike, unless I'm in the wind.
Kiribi flints are actually noticeably better. I initially thought they were a gimmick, the compared to Zippo or Ronson, they perform noticeably better, and provide more spark.

 

[craig61a]

I own a couple of Kiribi's, and I like them.

They don't do all that well in a light wind. They do require occasional maintenance (cleaning). I usually disassemble mine about every 6 months or so to clean out the soot, and the spark wheel assy. works better when cleaned of soot and grit that seems to work it's way in there. I lightly oil the bushing and inside of the wheel with 3in1. Flint needs to be replaced once it's worn down to 20%.

Mostly vanity. Bics work well and do good in the wind. My $.02.

 

[Parkland_Puffer]

The only complaint I have about mine is that I have to remove the bottom plate every time I fill it.
For some reason the nozzle of the butane I use (colibri) isn't long enough to fill it. None of the attachments that come with the can helps it any.
I have a 4th generation lighter and don't have the same problem.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

I've been curious about Kiribi lighters. I have an IM Corona Old Boy and love it, but it's kind of useless outdoors when it's windy. I have a Zippo with a butane Thunderbird pipe insert, but I sometimes burn my thumb because you have to hold the button down to keep the lighter lit; I'm not keen on using the regular pipe insert because of the fuel smell—coming from my cigar smoking background, I've always used butane or matches and cedar strips. I'm guessing the Kiribi wouldn't be much different than an Old Boy in the wind?

 

[JOHN72]

Neither the Kiribi nor the Old Boy is worth a crap in the wind. If I was on the coast, it would be a handful of cheap Bics. I’m not a fan of zippos even with the pipe insert. Seems like they were always empty when I need a light.

A blowtorch lighter is the best for a windy day................

 

[TheIronMonkey]

Wouldn't that scorch the rim of the pipe?

 

[JOHN72]

Wouldn't that scorch the rim of the pipe?

Be very careful if it is a good pipe, of course. For cigars it is the best.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

For me, a lighter that can point a soft flame works best to prevent rim darking. This is why I chose the Lotus, but it is not good in the wind.

 

[captpat]

I have a Kiribi Kabuto and an Old Boy and I prefer the Old Boy. My Kiribi has been trouble-free the build, fit and finish aren't as good as the Old Boy. The Kiribi might hold more fuel but that's a pretty small advantage for me. I've even dropped my Old Boy on the garage floor a couple of times to no ill effect.

 

[JKoD]

BICs and Zippos for convenience - but I still like matches. I learned my lighter lesson with cigars.

If you want a nice lighter, buy it. In terms of “nice” and “quality” S.T. DuPont would be near the top, if not the top.

 

[jafo1989]

Thanks for this thread. Been using an insert Zippo, but between my up-close vision rolling off the table & a $100 Amazon gift card I’ve been looking at premium lighters myself.

 

[RobNYC]

I prefer the good old fashioned Zippo. Other than a Bic, it's the only lighter that never lets me down under any conditions. I use the regular Zippo pipe insert inside a regular Zippo case. All the others are nice decorations on my shelf. This is the one I am currently using;

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I prefer the good old fashioned Zippo. Other than a Bic, it's the only lighter that never lets me down under any conditions. I use the regular Zippo pipe insert inside a regular Zippo case. All the others are nice decorations on my shelf. This is the one I am currently using;
View attachment 117310

Nice, but no interest in Zippos. Thet don't direct the flame into the pipe, just hover.