Today I am reviewing the IM Corona Old Boy Pipe Lighter. (Cost $120 +/-) This lighter is THE Lighter that all other lighters are compared to as it is more frequently imitated than any other pipe lighter.  It has a classic, old fashioned, or as some say, “Turn of the Century” design styling that reminds you of a time when things were solidly built and made to last.  As a matter of fact the design has not changed in over 40 years.  I don’t know the specific statistics but if I were to guess I would say that this lighter would be found in more pipe pouches and on more lighter stands than any other.

It is made in Japan and comes in at a weight of 2.6 ounces.  The dimensions of the lighter are 2.6″ high x 1.1″ wide and 0.5″ thick and comes in wide variety of colors and finishes.  The color/finish I’m showing you here is the classic chrome with vertical lines.

The  Old Boy is, of course, a butane lighter with flint wheel ignition and a 90 Degree Side Angled Soft Flame.

To light you just flick open the flame cap  with your thumb and turn the horizontal flint wheel with the same thumb.  This takes a little getting used to as most flint wheel lighters (i.e. Zippo, IMCO, etc.) have a vertical flint wheel.  But, this should not present any problem at all once you get used to it.  Once lit you will notice that the flame comes out to the side rather than out of the end .  The flame can then be accurately directly into the bowl to light your pipe without burning or charring the rim of your bowl as is the case with many top flame lighters.  Once your pipe is lit you simply click down the flame cap to extinguish the flame.

The lighter also comes featured with a built in tamp/pick on the bottom of the lighter To remove the tamp just insert your finger nail under the recess of the tamp and pull it out.  Once you have it out you will notice that there is a small notch on the stem of the tamp.  This allows you to use the tamp either completely pulled out of the lighter, or, partially inserted.  To use the tamp while it is still inserted just pull it a little ways out and turn the tamp about one half a turn and push it back in until the notch catches .  Then it will stay put as you tamp your tobacco.  To put it all the way back in simply turn the tamp again until the catch is released and you will be able to push it back down flush to the bottom of the lighter.

Also located on the bottom of the lighter are the fuel valve screw and the flame adjustment screw.  To refill your Old Boy you turn the fuel valve screw; just insert the edge or tip of the built in tamp to turn the screw until you can remove it with your finger, and insert the tip of your butane canister into the valve and fill normally (please view my earlier post by clicking here for normal butane refilling instructions) as you would with other butane lighter.

To adjust the flame you turn the flame adjustment screw to the desired flame height that you want.  Again you can utilize the edge of the tamp to turn the adjustment screw.

The lighter has all solid brass workings and silicon seals to help the lighter last a very long time and prevent fuel leakage.

There is one issue I must mention, however.  The flame cap can become loose after prolonged use.  To remedy this, you can apply a little pressure to the tension bar that is located directly to the side of the cap and this should retighten the cap for you.

Each Old Boy lighter is packaged in a gift box and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

I recommend using only triple refined, premium butane for this lighter.  If you clean it regularly, use high quality fuel and flints it will last you a very long time.

Enjoy!