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Queue Metal Lighter product image (primary)
A tall, slim rectangular metal lighter shown upright without its cap; the metal ignition mechanism and a short white wick are visible at the top. The cap is shown removed and set on the surface to the left of the lighter body.

Tsubota Pearl

Queue Metal Lighter

A$62.00AUD
In Stock

The Tsubota Pearl Queue is a refillable petrol lighter handcrafted in Tokyo from brass, steel, and cotton. It measures 85mm in length, 8mm in width and depth, and weighs 19g, featuring a slim, elongated design for controlled ignition of candles, incense, and everyday use. User reviews highlight its sleek aesthetics but note that the wick may require adjustment and fuel can evaporate if left unused for extended periods.

Color
Silver
Material
Brass, steel and cotton
Category
Home & Garden > Household Supplies

Color

SilverGoldBlack
View on merchant siteJSON

Specifications

Slim, refillable metal lighter handcrafted in Tokyo.

Refillable; replacement flints sold separately. Materials: brass, steel, cotton. Dimensions: 85mm x 8mm x 8mm; weight 19g.

Color
Silver · gray
Material
Brass, steel and cotton
Secondary
cotton
Gender
unisex
Age Group
adult
Condition
new
Weight
19 g
Dimensions
85 x 8 x 8 mm mm
Width
8
Height
8
Length
85
Category
Home & Garden > Household Supplies

Additional Attributes

  • slim
  • refillable
  • handcrafted in Tokyo
  • metal construction
  • materials: brass, steel, and cotton
  • 85mm length
  • 8mm width
  • 8mm depth
  • 19g weight
  • fluid not included
  • replacement flints sold separately
  • available in silver, gold, and black
  • by Tsubota Pearl

Product Insights

The Queue Metal Lighter by Tsubota Pearl is a hand-assembled Tokyo-crafted object, a 1970s cigarette-size design reintroduced in 2004, that prioritizes form and feel over brute utility. Its slim 85 x 8 x 8 mm, 19 g body, held like a pen, delivers deliberate one-hand strikes and precise flame placement into deep jars, with a soft yellow flame that stays reliable in cold where butane fades. It is serviceable with Zippo flints and naphtha fluid, but the friction-fit cap and slim build mean fuel evaporates within one to two weeks idle, and gusty wind demands a cupped hand. Plated finishes wear to brass, revealing a patina that owners embrace, making it a daily-carry ritual object rather than a weatherproof tool.

Verified claims

Design lineage
The 85 mm Queue is a 1970s cigarette-size design, reintroduced in 2004 and still in production.
Heritage
Founded in Tokyo in 1952 and hand-assembled from Shitamachi workshop parts.
Craft value
Hand-assembled in Tokyo in the craft tradition of Japanese knives, ceramics and matcha — built to be kept and used daily.
Market position
Enthusiasts report it works like a Zippo, but it is built around form and feel; few specialty shops carry it.
Reach and stability
85 x 8 x 8 mm body reaches into deep candle jars and incense sticks with fingers clear of the flame
Grip and heft
Held like a pen, with a surprising 19 g heft that makes strikes feel deliberate
One-hand striking
Most can strike it one-handed by bracing the base and flicking the wheel with the thumb
Carry footprint
85 x 8 x 8 mm, 19 g — roughly a fifth the volume and a quarter the weight of a Zippo Classic
Flame character
Soft yellow flame lights candles and incense, not a torch's 2,500°F jet
Weather tolerance
Soft petrol flame stays reliable in cold where butane fades; gusty wind needs a cupped hand
Flame adjustment
Flame size is set only by wick height — no dial or valve; recommended just over 3 mm above the chimney
Fuel evaporation
Owners report fuel drying out within one to two weeks idle; daily carry masks it
Replacement parts
Zippo flints and naphtha fluid fit; servicing mirrors Zippo — only the wick needs an IMCO substitute.
Cap seal
Friction-fit cap has no replaceable gasket — idle evaporation is inherent to the slim design
Leak resistance
Fuel won't leak if jostled; only vapor evaporates
Cold-weather ignition
Petrol ignition stays dependable in cold where butane lighters struggle
Maintenance
Zippo-like servicing: flint at a third, wick 3 mm up, red dot away.
Ignition reliability
Most reported ignition failures are routine maintenance — dirty wheel, flint orientation, or worn flint — not defects.
Fuel type
Refills through the bottom screw with Zippo-style naphtha fluid, not butane
Patina
Gold, Silver and Black plated finishes wear at edges to show brass — owners find the patina part of the charm.
Use cases
Slim 85 mm, 19 g lighter used for pocket carry, candle and incense lighting, and pipe smoking.
Collector appeal
A 1970s design reintroduced in 2004; the metal finish is the heritage form and the polished body invites display.
Long-term ownership
Serviceable with Zippo flints and fluid; fuel evaporates after days idle.
Flame precision
Fast, controlled flame; 8 mm body places it precisely inside candle jars
Finish
Black, Silver and Gold plated finishes; Gold/Silver priced above Black; Two-Tone pairs and Gloss colorways expand the lineup.

Product record

Title
Queue Metal Lighter
Brand
Tsubota Pearl
Price
62 AUD
Availability
In stock

Buying Guide

1 comparison · 13 sources

Uses

Lighting candles and incense in tight spots

A long, slim lighter that sellers describe as well suited to candles, incense, and everyday rituals. Its narrow, elongated form is said to offer extended reach and controlled ignition, reaching easily into candle vessels and other tight spaces.[1,2]

Everyday pocket carry

The retailer describes this solid-feeling, minimal-profile metal lighter as one that slips easily into a pocket for everyday carry, or sits quietly on a tray at home. Per the merchant copy, it's designed with a focus on precision, balance and long-term use — built to be carried for years.[1]

A lighter to leave out on display

Retailer copy describes the Queue's solid, minimal design as one that can sit out in the open — resting quietly on a tray or coffee table rather than being stashed away. One seller calls it sleek enough to leave out as a small statement piece.[1,3,4]

A refillable alternative to disposable lighters

Tsubota Pearl's Queue is a petrol lighter that refills with standard lighter fluid rather than being tossed out. The merchant positions it as a considered alternative to disposable lighters — built to be carried for years — and the flint can be swapped for a fresh one with the brand's Flint Replacement Pack when it wears down.[1]

Product comparison

Compared within this brand.

Why and when to choose each product
This product

Queue Metal Lighter

Tsubota Pearl

pudl.store

Same brand

Sigaretta Lighter

Tsubota Pearl

pudl.store

Same brand

Hard Edge Lighter

Tsubota Pearl

pudl.store

Queue Metal Lighter: Choose this if you want a refillable petrol lighter with extended reach for candles, incense and everyday rituals — the elongated form is designed for controlled ignition, it refills with standard lighter fluid, and the flint is replaceable with a separate Tsubota Pearl pack. Its solid, minimal brass-and-steel body slips into a pocket, and a Reddit owner reports being quite happy with it. Note that one Reddit thread describes a Queue failing to light, with commenters only speculating about wick exposure and distance rather than confirming a fault.[1,5,6]Sigaretta Lighter: Choose this if you want a slim, pocketable petrol lighter that's built to last — it's refillable with standard lighter fluid, designed to be repaired, made in Tokyo from durable metal, and available in Black, Gold, Silver and Rose Gold. Its elongated form is described as offering controlled ignition and comfortable carry. Note that the flint wears down with use, but the brand sells a replacement pack separately.[7]Hard Edge Lighter: Choose this for a compact, refillable petrol lighter with a minimalist, un-ergonomic design emphasizing 'objectness' over streamlined form. The matte polycarbonate shell and steel interior with cotton wick offer a hand-assembled, artisanal product from Tokyo's Asakusa district, designed for everyday carry and long-term ownership. Flint and wick are replaceable (a spare flint is included), though the flint may be stiff when new, causing wheel difficulty, and Reddit reports suggest it needs warming to light reliably.[8,9,10,11,12,13]

Image Analysis

3 images
Queue Metal Lighter product image (primary)
01

Product

A tall, slim rectangular metal lighter shown upright without its cap; the metal ignition mechanism and a short white wick are visible at the top. The cap is shown removed and set on the surface to the left of the lighter body.

  • Overall body shapeVertical rectangular prism body with straight edges and flat faces, photographed upright with the top ignition assembly exposed.
    1 regionx 0.47 · y 0.20 · w 0.08 · h 0.64 (high)
  • Top ignition assemblySmall metal ignition module mounted on the top of the rectangular body; includes a textured black rotary wheel and a short cylindrical post holding a white wick.
    1 regionx 0.50 · y 0.14 · w 0.10 · h 0.08 (high)
  • Wick detailShort white fibrous wick protruding from a small metal tube adjacent to the ignition wheel.
    1 regionx 0.55 · y 0.16 · w 0.02 · h 0.04 (high)
  • Removed capSeparate small rectangular metal cap placed on the surface to the left of the lighter; matches the body finish and stands on its short face.
    1 regionx 0.16 · y 0.76 · w 0.08 · h 0.14 (high)
  • Surface finishSmooth reflective metallic finish on body and cap with subtle specular highlights and slightly darker edges where light falls off.
    2 regionsx 0.46 · y 0.20 · w 0.10 · h 0.64 (medium); x 0.16 · y 0.76 · w 0.08 · h 0.14 (medium)
  • Ignition wheel textureDark textured rotary wheel with toothed perimeter visible at the very top front of the mechanism.
    1 regionx 0.52 · y 0.12 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high)

Other

Studio-style photograph with a neutral warm-beige background, soft even lighting, small soft shadows beneath items, and shallow depth framing the top of the lighter near the vertical center of the image.

  • Background and lightingUniform warm beige background with soft, diffuse lighting that produces subtle reflections on the metal surfaces and soft shadows on the surface below the objects.
  • Composition and croppingImage is vertically oriented with the lighter centered horizontally above the midline; most negative space is above the lighter head.
  • ShadowsSoft, low-contrast shadows appear beneath the lighter body and the separate cap on the surface.
    2 regionsx 0.12 · y 0.86 · w 0.20 · h 0.10 (medium); x 0.44 · y 0.86 · w 0.14 · h 0.10 (medium)
  • Image qualitySharp focus on the lighter head and cap; background is smooth and free of noise or texture.

Colors

polished silver· bodydark gray· ignition wheelbright white· wick
Queue Metal Lighter product image 2
02

Product

A tall rectangular gold metal lighter shown without its cap; the exposed metal ignition mechanism and white wick are visible at the top. A separate matching rectangular gold cap sits upright to the left on the surface.

  • Overall body shapeTall vertical rectangular prism body with straight edges and a square cross-section; the body stands upright on the surface with its top open to reveal the ignition assembly.
    1 regionx 0.47 · y 0.32 · w 0.06 · h 0.55 (high)
  • Detached capShort rectangular prism cap of the same finish placed upright to the left of the body on the surface.
    1 regionx 0.24 · y 0.78 · w 0.06 · h 0.16 (high)
  • Ignition assemblyExposed metal ignition top with a serrated flint wheel visible at the very top, a small cylindrical metal chimney next to the wheel, and a square metal collar connecting the mechanism to the body.
    1 regionx 0.47 · y 0.27 · w 0.09 · h 0.12 (high)
  • WickShort white fibrous wick protruding from a small metal tube beside the flint wheel; wick appears fluffy and white.
    1 regionx 0.52 · y 0.28 · w 0.02 · h 0.06 (high)
  • Top collar finishPolished metallic (silver-colored) square collar and small components around the ignition area, distinct from the gold body finish.
    1 regionx 0.46 · y 0.27 · w 0.09 · h 0.08 (high)

Other

Studio-style product shot on a neutral matte background with soft directional lighting from above-left producing subtle shadows beneath the pieces.

  • Background and surfaceUniform warm gray matte background and horizontal surface that meet near the lower third of the frame; no printed packaging or labels present.
  • Lighting and shadowsSoft directional lighting creating gentle diffuse shadows to the lower-right of both the tall body and the cap; highlights visible on vertical faces.
  • Shot compositionVertical composition with the tall lighter centered horizontally and occupying the lower half of the frame; significant empty background area above the product.

Colors

gold· bodypolished silver· ignition top / collar#A89A91white· wick
Queue Metal Lighter product image 3
03

Product

A tall rectangular metal lighter shown with its square cap removed and placed beside it; the lighter's metal ignition mechanism and a short white wick are visible at the top.

  • Overall body shapeTall slender rectangular prism body with straight vertical edges and a flat top where the ignition mechanism sits; body stands vertically on the surface.
    1 regionx 0.49 · y 0.18 · w 0.06 · h 0.62 (high)
  • Detachable capSeparate square/rectangular cap placed on the surface to the left of the lighter body; the cap has the same finish as the body and is shown removed.
    1 regionx 0.33 · y 0.71 · w 0.08 · h 0.12 (high)
  • Ignition wheelSmall circular serrated ignition wheel in a vertical metal housing at the top of the lighter; wheel has a darker tone than the surrounding top plate.
    1 regionx 0.48 · y 0.10 · w 0.07 · h 0.06 (high)
  • Wick and wick tubeShort white wick protruding from a small vertical metal tube next to the ignition wheel; wick appears to be cotton and is visibly white against the metal.
    2 regionsx 0.52 · y 0.11 · w 0.02 · h 0.04 (high); x 0.51 · y 0.10 · w 0.03 · h 0.06 (medium)
  • Top plate finishTop mechanism and surrounding small upper plate have a lighter metallic, slightly yellowish brass tone distinct from the darker body finish.
    1 regionx 0.48 · y 0.09 · w 0.08 · h 0.08 (high)

Other

Studio product shot on a neutral beige background with soft, diffuse lighting producing soft shadows beneath objects; image is vertically composed with the lighter centered and cap left of it.

  • Background and lightingEven neutral beige background with soft diffuse lighting and subtle soft shadows under the lighter and cap.
  • Shot compositionVertical composition with the lighter centered near the vertical midline and the cap placed lower-left; significant negative space above the lighter.
  • ShadowsSoft, slightly diffuse shadows extending from the base of the lighter and the cap onto the surface below.
    1 regionx 0.30 · y 0.78 · w 0.35 · h 0.18 (medium)

Colors

gunmetal brown· body#4E4037brass· top plate and ignition housing#B0A299white· wick

Variants

3 SKUs
All variants of Queue Metal Lighter
SKUTitlePriceAvail
LGT-00003Queue Metal Lighter - SilverA$62.00Out of Stock
LGT-00004Queue Metal Lighter - GoldA$62.00Yes
LGT-00005Queue Metal Lighter - BlackA$62.00Yes

Also Seen Here

6 retailers
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  • assemblynewyork.com
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    Silver Queue Petrol Lighter - Tsubota Pearl

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  • beon.com.au
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    Tsubota Pearl - Queue Matte Black/White Petrol Lighter

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  • goodfellascigarshop.com
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    Tsubota Pearl Queue Mono Soft Flame Mini Lighters

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  • notwasted.com.au
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    TSUBOTA PEARL - Queue Matte White/Green Petrol Lighter

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  • annexvintage.com
    high

    "Queue" mono stick lighters by Tsubota Pearl

    Tsubota Pearl

    View listing →

Documents & Data

Reddit Insights

5 threads · r/lighters

Reddit users generally praise the Tsubota Pearl Queue lighter's sleek design but frequently encounter wick ignition issues and rapid fuel evaporation.

mixed sentiment95% match

While the design and aesthetic draw positive attention, many report functional problems with the wick lighting consistently and fuel drying up quickly, leading to an overall mixed sentiment.

Themes

Design and appearancepositive
Wick and ignition problemsnegative
Fuel evaporationnegative
Parts availability and compatibilitymixed
Overall purchase satisfactionpositive

Use Cases

  • Everyday carry lighter
  • Collectible / aesthetic piece
  • Pipe smoking

Watch Out For

mediumFuel evaporates quickly if not used regularly, likely due to a loose seal.
mediumWick may need frequent adjustment or replacement; pulling through can cause fraying.

Compared To

vs Zippo

Frequently compared to Zippo lighters: similar function and parts compatibility, but the Tsubota Pearl is perceived as sleeker with a Japanese design, though some users report worse fuel evaporation and wick issues.

Source Threads

  • Fuel evaporates if unused for weeks

    Have you filled it up? If I don't use mine a few week it just dries up.

    u/jeremyverhoevenr/lightersView thread →

  • Description of Tsubota Pearl Queue lighters

    They are called Queue lighters by Tsubota Pearl who ive seen is talked about a bit in the pipe smokers /r/. they seem to function like zippos from what i understand. Thought they looked sleek but only a few specialty shops carry them.

    u/[deleted]r/lightersView thread →

  • Troubleshooting wick ignition issues

    this will sound stupid but is enough of the wick exposed? like id think it needs to be up to the mid point of the wheel almost if it lights immediately from another flame the issue is either with spark production or spark making it to the wick (either not enough spark, or wick isnt close enough to spark etc) ive had dirty wheel/flint areas cause less than ideal spark creation. is the wick ideal distance from wheel/flint? ive had issues with wick lighters both from wick being too close and too far from the point of spark creation - too close it smothers it almost like it doesnt allow the spark to catch and too far it wont hit it. pull the wick up and move it back and forth if the lighters clean.

    u/[deleted]r/lightersView thread →

  • Zippo flints compatible and replacement wick source

    I'm a bit late here, but I have a Tsubota stick lighter and after emailing them about replacement wicks/flints, they told me Zippo flints will work, and directed me [here](https://www.laundryday.co/products/replacement-wick) for replacement wicks. I haven't needed to change the wick on mine yet, but I imagine it should work fine.

    u/HotPocketPandar/lightersView thread →

  • Satisfied with purchase and plans to buy more

    Update: It arrived! Zippo for comparison. (https://i.imgur.com/VwMJZzL.jpg) Quite happy with it. Thinking of picking up a Tsubota pearl paper lighter next although they seem to be even harder to find.

    u/[deleted]r/lightersView thread →

Provenance

Merchant Link
https://pudl.store/products/tsubota-pearl-queue-metal-lighter
Platform
shopify
Updated