Tsubota Pearl Bolbo Lighter - Striped Edition | Made in Tokyo

Brass Tsubota Pearl Bolbo Striped lighter standing upright on a light background

Tsubota Pearl Bolbo Lighter | Striped Edition

Gold

$75.00

Tsubota Pearl Bolbo Lighter | Striped Edition

$75.00

Shipping calculated at checkout.

The Striped Bolbo Petrol Lighter by Tsubota Pearl looks like something pulled from a well-worn coat pocket in the 1950s. Compact, curved, and substantial in the hand, its shape recalls the small petrol lighters of the 1940s and ’50s while slipping easily into a modern pocket or bag.

Each line is machine-engraved into the metal body rather than molded, then polished to create a tactile striped finish with more texture and presence than the original Bolbo.

Its upright flame makes it easy to light candles, incense, and joints. The cap can be flipped open, sparked, and snapped shut using two fingers, a simple motion that becomes especially satisfying with practice.

Made in Japan from solid brass or Seki steel, the Bolbo runs on petrol lighter fluid with a replaceable flint and cotton wick. Closing the cap extinguishes the flame, while the brass version develops a natural patina over time.

Handcrafted in Tokyo, Japan
Petrol lighter with replaceable flint and wick
Refillable for long-term use
Materials: Brass or steel exterior with engraved finish
Individually hand-engraved and hand-polished surface
Compact size: 2.6 x 0.8 x 0.6 in (6.6 x 2.0 x 1.4 cm)
Fuel not included

Fill with Zippo-style lighter fluid until cotton is lightly saturated

→ Shop lighter fluid

Do not overfill. If flooded, allow time for excess fuel to evaporate
Replace flint when worn to about one third of original size

→ Shop replacement flints

Wick should extend slightly above the wind guard
If the wick becomes too short, it should be replaced rather than pulled

→ Shop replacement wick

Always ignite with the cap fully open and lighter held upright
Avoid prolonged contact between flame and metal surfaces

Tsubota Pearl is a Japanese manufacturer founded in 1952, known for producing precision-crafted lighters and metal goods in Tokyo. Each lighter is assembled by hand, blending industrial durability with refined, minimalist design.

The Bolbo lighter reflects a compact, vintage-inspired form with a rounded body and exposed, repairable components built for long-term use. This striped edition features individually engraved lines that catch light across the surface, while the brass version develops a natural patina over time, giving each piece a finish shaped by use.

A Closer Look

Some details only make sense once they're in hand.

Before Your First Light ⭐

📦 Ships empty

💧 Requires Lighter Fluid

🛠️ Built to be maintained

🔄 Expect a short learning curve

✉️ Questions?

5 stars: 3 (60%)
4 stars: 2 (40%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.

Silver

Great lighter

Great lighter. Shipping was spot on. Couldn't be happier

Updated review: had issues with the first lighter. Brett from LP reached out promply to resolve issue. Replacement was sent out same day.

Beautiful functional object

I have several bolbo lighters and especially love the striped version! They are easy to refill and require little maintenance. I use them for incense. The brass develops a beautiful patina and I anticipate these getting better and better with age.

Once you get the hang of it

There’s a bit of a learning curve with this lighter, which is why I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5. It takes time to get used to refilling and replacing the flint and wick, especially if you’re used to grabbing cheap disposables without thinking twice. But once you figure it out, it’s incredibly satisfying to maintain something built to last. The small ritual of keeping it in working order feels worth it, and knowing it won’t end up in a landfill after a few months makes the effort pay off.

Exceptional Support for a Stunning Lighter

I’m absolutely thrilled with my Tsubota Pearl Bolbo lighter – it’s a beautifully crafted piece and lives up to all expectations in terms of design and quality. But what truly stood out to me was not just the product itself, but the incredible service provided by the company.

I ran into several issues with the delivery, mostly due to problems on UPS’s end. Despite that, the company went above and beyond to help me out. Their communication was prompt, friendly, and genuinely helpful. They took responsibility, followed up consistently, and made sure everything was resolved to my satisfaction.

It's rare to come across a company that cares this much about their customers. I can confidently say that I’ll be a returning customer – not just because of the product, but because of the people behind it.

Highly recommended!