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IM Corona: The Best Hard-Use Pipe Lighter

We pipe smokers come in every size, shape, color, and level of hairiness, and our preferences in pipes and tobaccos are as varied as we are. One thing we all have in common, however, is the need for fire. We have to light our tobaccos or we can't really be called pipe smokers. Lighters, too, appear in all kinds of permutations, though none are hairy.

A hairy lighter wouldn't be great anyway, so don't obsess about that. It would smell bad when it got wet and when the hair singed, and who wants to comb their lighter every time they go out? We don't need hairy lighters, but we do need efficient, cost-effective, dependable lighters. There are many, and it's difficult to choose between them, but I submit that there is one lighter that rises above the rest for daily, hard-use reliability: the Corona Old Boy.

I own and use or have experienced virtually every lighter, from disposables to Dunhill, from Colibri to S.T. Dupont, from Zippo to Xikar, and I love them all. They're amazing little engines of combustion that we can literally carry around in our pockets. They're astonishing miracles of engineering. But for a pipe smoker like myself who engages his lighter hundreds of times a day, the Corona Old Boy has proven itself an efficient workhorse and a terrific value.

Ignition is Essential

It's easily arguable that matches are the most efficient method of lighting one's pipe. They're inexpensive, lightweight, easy to carry, and they add a level of engagement in the process of pipe smoking, rituals that are particularly enjoyable for many of us. My late father-in-law used only matches, two at a time, and he tamped with them after each relight, so he didn't own a tamper. There were matches all over his house because he smoked all over his house — kitchen, bathrooms, his study, the family room, garage, cars, everywhere. He was never without his pipe. He also carried a box of matches with him, but if it was ever empty, he was within reach of more.

He was active in his business community and sometimes received gifts of expensive lighters, but he never used them. He was a match man. My wife and I once gave him a sterling silver match case, thinking he might like to dress up his accessories, and because he was a good man, he said he loved it, but we never saw it used. The green paper matchboxes that housed his matches when purchased were a little ugly, in my opinion, but they were what he preferred. He had developed his process and he found comfort in it. He smoked only Granger tobacco, smoked only straight Pots of the no-name variety, used only matches, and he adored pipe smoking.

Matches have a lower temperature and are less likely to damage the rim of a pipe than lighters. I've used them off and on for years, and can't say I don't like them, but I do have an issue with their aroma. Some may say that my future is likely to reek of sulfur and I should get used to it, but I'm an optimist. Because I need hundreds a day, matches cause excess smoke and stench, and since I smoke inside, primarily, that's an issue. However, if you aren't dismayed by their ignition characteristics, they may be the best option for you.

Matches have a lower temperature and are less likely to damage the rim of a pipe than lighters

The primary advantage of pipe lighters is their angled flame. A 90-degree flame makes lighting a pipe easy and intuitive. Bic-style lighters are inexpensive, reliable, and easy to find, but they lack that angled flame and make it difficult to light a pipe — not impossible, of course, and some grow accustomed to it, but I appreciate the angle of a pipe lighter.

Different Pipe Lighters

Loosely described as "disposable" because they cost less than $10, disposable pipe lighters are refillable, with replaceable flints and even built-in tampers, so they aren't really disposable, but they're almost always out-of-stock everywhere. There are a few weird ones on Amazon that I have not tried, but based on the photos and descriptions, they seem like a gamble. It's better to find them through a tobacco shop, in my opinion, where they're easier to get replaced if necessary, and smoke shops are unlikely to have inventory that doesn't represent a good value.

I'm hard on lighters and the disposables that I've owned have rarely lasted more than months. They're great for travel, though, especially because TSA agents are inconsistent with allowable lighters. If the TSA wants to stop my disposable from flying, it's an inconvenient circumstance but not ruinous. However, if they flag my Dunhill or S.T. Dupont, there will be skepticism, objection, protest, and handcuffs in my future. So I don't travel with a Dunhill or S.T. Dupont. I travel with a disposable, and I'm thankful anytime a decent one is available.

Zippos are wonderful and very engaging for those of us who fidget with our lighters. They're fun to open and snap shut, and every pipe smoker should have one; they're just iconic. The chief advantage of Zippo pipe lighters is their performance in wind. Butane pipe lighters tend to have trouble if the air is moving with any alacrity, but Zippos perform in nature. There's also a staggering selection of case styles to select from. Zippo pipe inserts will fit in standard cases, so pipe lighters have as much variety as the upright design. These lighters last seemingly forever, and if they don't, Zippo will fix or replace them.

The chief advantage of Zippo pipe lighters is their performance in wind

The one complaint people tend to have is the flavor of the fuel, though it's easily dispelled by allowing the flame to burn for a couple of seconds before applying it to the tobacco. The flame is also cooler than that of butane and presents a wide burning surface. I personally prefer a more focused flame, however, and while I gravitate to a Zippo for outside use, if I know it will be a still day, I'll use a butane lighter.

High-Dollar Lighters

When you're as tough on lighters as I am, it's hard to justify one that costs $500 or more because daily hard use causes natural wear that's heartbreaking on a piece of flammable jewelry, and they really are jewelry, with their lacquer, gold, and silver finishes. And they perform very well indeed. Dunhill and S.T. Dupont lighters are wonderful to use. They have a substantial heft, they feel solid, and their mechanisms are precise and sturdy — they are engineering wonderments and just a delight to handle and use.

When we talk about hard-use lighters, lighters that ride in your pocket with your keys and pocket knife, lighters that sometimes end up going through the wash cycle with your pants, we typically aren't talking about lighters of precious metal and lacquer. It should be noted that many people appreciate the scars and character of a lighter that's seen action, and I'm among them with lighters that are more accessibly priced. But I like my fancy lighters to maintain their original finish. They don't go in a pocket but reside on my desk, where it's safe, and they don't see daily use. Intermittently, I'll decide to use them through a full tank of fuel, and then I put them away for a few months or until a special occasion arises. I enjoy them and they are worth the process to me.

It should be noted that many people appreciate the scars and character of a lighter that's seen action

Because I don't risk them with constant use, they last forever. My S.T. Dupont and Dunhill lighters are as beautiful now as when I bought them years ago. I have a sterling silver Sillem's lighter that I use only on Christmas. It was a gift from a dear friend, and I want to maintain its beauty and efficiency for the rest of my life. A one-day-a-year lighter is pretty self-indulgent, but I enjoy it and appreciate it every year, and it makes my pipes feel special for special occasions. I'd be devastated to watch it become scratched or to have to retire it from overuse.

The Best Hard-Use Lighter

That brings us to the workhorse of the pipe lighter family: the IM Corona Old Boy, my favorite lighter. What I mean by "hard-use" is basically what works well and stands up to my excessive daily smoking. I smoke from eight to 10 pipes a day, and I don't light them and smoke through to the end. Because I'm a writer, I need both hands to type, but whenever I have trouble finding a word or am flummoxed by sentence construction, I pause and light my pipe, take a couple of puffs to find my solution, and put it down. That means I'm relighting dozens of times to complete a bowl.

I light my pipe hundreds of times a day, every day, from my morning coffee to bedtime. Therefore, I consider myself a good proving ground for dependability in lighters. If a lighter lasts two years for me, it will last 10 for someone more circumspect in their smoking routine. My use is more excessive than that of most pipe smokers, so it's important to me that my lighters are robust.

One should consider their own smoking requirements when choosing the right lighter. Lighters are like any tool and should be considered for the kind of use they will receive. If you are an avid gardener, for example, with an acre of vegetables, you'll need a more robust rototiller than someone who prepares only a couple of rows of vegetables each year, and you'll need to spend more for the longevity necessary for long-term dependability. I consider the Corona a great value because I would eventually spend more to replace other lighters.

If you smoke only a couple of bowls of tobacco a week, you have no need for a lighter that will stand up to my kind of smoking. For me, though, the lighter that has proven its worth is the Corona Old Boy. It's the least expensive option because it lasts.

Lighters are like any tool and should be considered for the kind of use they will receive

I'm not alone. Corona Old Boys are ubiquitous at pipe shows. I see them everywhere. They are the most popular lighter for serious pipe people, so others have apparently reached the same conclusion.

The Corona isn't an inexpensive lighter and typically falls anywhere from $120-$180, depending on their cases, which can be remarkably complex, like the Arabesque Silver, or relatively simple, like the Black & Chrome. They are the same lighters with the same ignition characteristics and dependability; the only difference is the style of their cases. Sillem's lighters are IM Corona Old Boys, but with elevated case materials of silver and/or enamel. They cost more, but what you're paying for is their beauty. Erik Stokkebye's 4th Generation and Peterson lighters are also in the style of Corona Old Boys, and they carry particularly attractive prices.

Other options, like the Kiribi, are solid lighters, too. They don't quite have the overbuilt longevity of the IM Corona, but they are attractive, efficient, and more than adequate for those who don't torture and overwork their lighters, and they are good values in their price range — with a variety of models, casings, and finishes to choose from.

For hard use, the IM Corona is a marvelous machine. It has a great weight and is available in a large number of case styles. And the Old Boy design is efficient. It's easy to refill and it's easy to change the flints, and the lighters have an internal tamper and pick, which is a convenience that I appreciate.

The IM Corona is a marvelous machine

They have personality. When the fuel begins to get low, the flame increases as a signal that it's time for a refill. The tamper is streamlined and fully removable, but a half-twist when it's partially extended will lock it in place, making the whole lighter a tamper when you don't want to completely disengage it. It also has a large fuel tank, which is convenient for the amount of work I put it through.

The one problem I've noted, aside from their weakness in windy conditions, is that the hinge spring on the lift arm can get spongy over time, sometimes leading to a gradual loss of fuel. They can be sent back for repair without cost, but I've found that after repair they last only another year or so before another repair is necessary. An IM Corona will last me about four to five years before I decide to retire it. I've ended up with a drawer full of them over the years, and now and then I'll send a few in for repair and be flush with lighters for a while, which is a great feeling that costs nothing.

No lighter lasts forever, not for me, anyway. Maybe smokers who are more reasonable with their accessories can expect more. If you smoke only a couple of bowls a day, virtually any lighter will be adequate. But if you're plowing multiple acres of tobacco smoke every day, like me, you'll find better long-term value in an IM Corona Old Boy.

Category:   Pipe Line
Tagged in:   Dunhill IM Corona Lighters S.T. Dupont Zippo

Comments

  • Aaron S on November 20, 2021

    … good lighters are so expensive …

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  • Joe Thornton on November 20, 2021

    I enjoyed the article on lighters in general and the Old Boy in particular. I agreed with everything you said except you said they fix it free. I have sent mine back twice in 5 years and they charged $35 for a tune up, which I still think is a fair price. The last time was for the spongy arm you talked about. I think the Old Boy is the best pipe lighter but I use several other methods including Zippos and matches. I like them all. Enjoy!

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  • Joseph on November 20, 2021

    I purchased the Peterson version of the Old Boy style lighter and have been disappointed. It didn't last much longer than one of the piezo-electric ones. As a follow-up, are there ways an owner can best maintain their lighter's performance?

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  • Phil on November 21, 2021

    I have the Peterson Old Boy style as well and have confined it to at home use; no problems so far. For everyday performance is like my ancient Zippo, although I hate the fact that s fill evaporates after a couple of days. I try to solve that by using the butane inserts, but even though I use their recommended (and expensive!) butane I find they only last a year or so at best, and their "replacement guarantee" costs almost as much as just buying a new one.

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  • AZ Mountain Geek on November 21, 2021

    My IM Corona only lasted 3 months before developing 3 separate problems and becoming unusable. After waiting 3 months for warranty repair, it lasted another month before developing the same problems. A Kiribi lasted 7 months before becoming unusable. Peterson seems to have the strongest build, but two of them have lasted around a year before developing their own problems and being unusable. The cheap piezo pipe lighters may last a month if you're lucky, most fail within a week. It would not take much for manufacturers to actually care and redesign and build these lighters to last a lifetime, but I guess profiting from replacements and 'free' warranty repairs that cost $35 plus shipinng are more important than quality. Yes, I'm a cynical grumpy old man, but if I will no longer pay $100 for a 'disposable' lighter.

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  • Ken on November 21, 2021

    The Old Boy has been the best lighter I've ever used. But, then again, I've only tried a handful. The disposables and other refillables I've tried tend to darken the top of the bowl. Zippos impart on odor to the immediate environment if not to the tobacco itself. The Corona just works. It's easy to refill, doesn't require a refill too often, and doesn't char the bowl. I'll buy another when this one quits.

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  • James G on November 21, 2021

    Been using a bic. Cheep and works well. I find it difficult to get an initial light with the zipo pipe lighters and the others fail and breakdown miserably. I do occasional use matches though.

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  • B.R. on November 21, 2021

    I have been a lighter collector since 1983. The Corona (looks great) reminds me of my Dunhill Unique. I use S.T. Dupont lighters as well. This website has wondeful articles that are well-written, and enjoyable. Thank you.

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  • Gabby Hayes on November 22, 2021

    Every high dollar ($100 ) lighter I’ve ever owned has been a dismal failure shortly after buying it. I stick with Zippo pipe lighters now and they last forever.

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  • Zachary Horn on November 24, 2021

    These lighters always looked neat, but Zippo all the way baby! The fluid taste is something that I am so used to that I sorta miss it when I use butane.

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  • Jim on November 25, 2021

    I've used an IM Corona (not the Old Boy but the Pipe Master with pipe shapes, item 001-068-0050) for years and years and although it's blackened with use and the finish is faded, it's never let me down in all that time.

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  • William Huff on December 5, 2021

    Bought an IM Corona Old Boy and after one week of use it started leaking at the top. Checked out the guarantee and found only one place it could be repaired and it cost $35 just to look at it, plus postage, and cost of parts if needed. Caveat Emptor !!

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  • Steve Mawby on December 7, 2021

    @william Sorry to hear about the troubles with the Corona! If you purchased the lighter within the last 2 years, it will be covered under warranty, and Smokingpipes can facilitate the process for you. Even if you bought it more than 2 years ago, we will cover your $35 service fee if you bought the lighter from us. Email us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help you out!

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  • D. on December 28, 2021

    Whenever I have trouble finding a word or am flummoxed by sentence construction (which I always am), I reach for ol' reliable Old No.7 Jack Daniel's smooth sippin' Tennessee Whiskey and my trusty, tried, and true BIC disposable lighter. Once I cease to feel flummoxed, the words just pour out effortlessly; they may be incoherent, unintelligible, and slightly offensive, but they pour out nevertheless. I am one who has mastered the BIC disposable lighter and have yet to char a rim with one... knock on wood. However, I do have my eye on an IM Corona Old Boy and I think I will pick it up next year. I know that there are bad reviews on almost every product out there and legitimate individual bad experiences with products, so it can make you alittle apprehensive about spending that kind of moolah, cabbage, or greenbacks on a lighter. I'm gonna step out on a limb and give the IM Corona Old Boy a try, I do like some flash and style to complement my hobby. To me it adds to the experience visually and is pleasing to the eye. And who knows, it could spark some interest in a future pipe smoker as a conversation piece..."You paid how much for that lighter?!!! Are you crazy?!"

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  • Keith Blume on February 14, 2022

    I am happy with the IM Corona so far. Seems very well made. I also have three second hand Dunhills that show no sign of failure and one of them looks like it was found on the freeway

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  • Stamper Tamper on August 15, 2022

    If you are serious about smoking a pipe a good lighter is essential. Not just for functionality, but pairing a nice lighter, with a nice tamper and a beautiful pipe is simply elegant. You want to show off a little bit of style and personality. You can’t get that with a bic or cheap lighter and if you are not careful the cheap lighters are made of plastic and when you flip them upside down, the plastic can burns or melt and I don’t like inhaling toxic fumes. The Kiribi is cheap, I smoke one bowl a day and the hinge wears out in two years. Gas escapes, the flame may not go out and can become a fire hazard. SP has a monopoly on parts and only would sell them to me after making a bad review. They wanted me to spend $35 plus $20 international shipping to repair a $65 lighter every two years, on parts that cost around $2.50, don’t think so! The screws strip real easily, you’ll have to constantly keep them tight or they fall out or your lighter disintegrates in your hand. I have abandoned the Kiribi and can’t recommend it. After another bad review SP gave me my money back. Great customer service, but it was necessary to call them out over money grabbing tactics and marketing the lighter to us. I will be buying an IM corona old boy as soon as I find the one I like on sale, and according to chuck, this thing will hopefully last me ten years. Should have tried it from the start, but I am glad SP made good on the Kiribi.

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  • Michael on May 22, 2023

    Well, as much as I like my im Corona Old Boy, it has not held up well with moderate use. My Kiribi has fared much better even w extensive, heavy use, w one under-warranty repair. I did find out that the leaking of the Kiribi (and non-extinguishing flame!) was due to excessive friction preventing hinge mechanism closure of the valve. Cleaning and lightly lubricating it fixed that. And, yes, use Lock-tite if you don't want to be constantly tightening loose screws.On my Corona Old Boy, the friction wheel no longer has a tight fit against even a new flint w the flint screw fully tightened. The spring can also compress itself down into the recess of the screw, effectively "shortening " the spring length and causing inadequate friction. That has required tinkering to return the spring to its proper position. My main complaint is that cheap user-installable parts are unavailable (e.g., flint wheel). A $35 "warranty" replacement on a $100 lighter is not cost-effective. BUT, SP's offer to cover the $35 fee on lighters purchased on their site encourages me to purchase another, this time from SP. But I wish for an inexpensive parts source...ironically, my admittedly lightly-used (the key?) 45 y/o piezoelectric Savinelli-branded im Corona still functions, though it has seen periods when, inexplicably, it would NOT light, then began working like new w/o intervention. It saw service once.

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  • Aaron on September 22, 2023

    I’m new to pipe smoking and live in a windy area. I’ve been using matches but they go out in the wind. What lighter do you recommend for me?

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  • Chuck Stanion on September 22, 2023

    Aaron: A Zippo with the pipe insert is probably your best bet for moderately windy conditions. It, too, has its limitations and may require sheltering from the wind during the lighting process. You may also want to get a wind cap since smoking in windy conditions makes tobacco burn faster and hotter and may damage a pipe.

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