Soto Pocket Torch Review

I've been looking for a reliable lighter for some time now and I think I may have finally found a decent candidate.

I picked up a Soto Pocket Torch a few weeks ago at my local REI and I've had quite a few opportunities to use it. It's a somewhat radical departure from most lighters in that it has no built-in tank. Instead, it uses cheap, disposable butane lighters as its fuel source. An interesting choice and I'll cover the pros and cons as I go along.

We'll start with the manufacturers specs as usual.

Size: 110 x 60 x 23 mm (4.3 x 2.4 x 0.9 inch)
Weight: 50g (1.8 oz.) without disposable lighter
Burner Diameter: OD 14 mm (0.55 inch) ID 12 mm (0.47 inch)
Flame temperature: 1300°C (Approx. 2,300 °F)
Flame size: Diameter 3 x 12 mm (0.1 x 0.47 inch)
Flame shape:Superfine centralized flame
Burning time:Approx. 20 minutes (per disposable lighter)
Fuel cartridge:Disposable lighter
Use:
(for outdoor use)
Igniting stoves, firewood
Preheating of stove and lantern
Sterilization, disinfection

(For hobby use)
Brazing and soldering small objects
Assembling plastic models and technical projects
Exfoliation of adhesive and paint

(For home use)
Igniting fireworks and incense
Cutting ropes
Melting small amounts of ice

So, the Pocket Torch is obviously not small. This is somewhat necessitated by the use of disposable lighters for the fuel source.

It is however, quite light, and while it's made entirely of plastic, the unit does feel remarkably durable.

The disposables I've been using are the cheap "Scripto" brand lighters you can find at Wal-Mart for less than 3 dollars per 8-pack. Pretty economical!

The main body of the Pocket Torch has directions marked on it that show which way the lighter goes in.

The disposable lighter can be seen inserted in the body tube here. Note the pictogram depicting the proper way to insert the lighter.

The fit for the Scripto lighters is decent but a little loose, which does result in some rattle. I solved this by taking a strip of regular copy paper and wrapping it around the lighter a few times before I inserted it into the Pocket Torch. This completely eliminates the rattle and has no effect on function otherwise. I imagine the somewhat loose fit is a necessity to help the Pocket Torch be compatible with more brands of disposable lighters. I can't really fault Soto for making that kind of design decision.

The inside of the Pocket Torch head. Note the black tube. This rubber tube fits down over the nozzle on the disposable lighter. The shiny metal piece is what depresses the fuel lever.

The body tube snaps together with the head with a quite positive click, although there is some minor wobble side to side when assembled. This doesn't seem to affect functionality at all. It does make the Soto feel a little cheap, especially compared to the impeccable feel of the Brunton Firestorm lighter. Of course, the Soto is far more reliable, so it's really a bit of a wash in the end...

The business end of the Pocket Torch is of course, metal and so are pretty much all the internal works. There is what appears to be a black ceramic tube sheathing the jet nozzle and the piezo igniter.

The nozzle end. Quite nicely machined and the nozzle does a great job of putting out a hot flame without fail.

The button that fires the piezo igniter has a firm push with a very satisfying click. You can hear fuel start flowing almost immediately when you start depressing the button, but the button is firm enough that it's very unlikely you will ever have an accidental discharge, be it in your pocket or in your pack.

One peculiarity is that you do have to let fuel flow for just a second before you press the button all the way down. This is simply due to the nature of the internal routing of the gas. It has to get from the nozzle of the disposable lighter all the way out to the jet nozzle of the Soto. But once there's fuel out at that jet nozzle, the Pocket Torch fires and fires every time. It's impressive, really.
Especially when compared to the Brunton I recently reviewed, which costs almost three times as much! Interestingly, Soto states on the packaging that the Pocket Torch May not ignite above 5000 feet altitude or in cold temperatures. I've found this to be a non-issue here in Albuquerque which is definitely above 5000 feet! The cold temperature problem is one that is common to all butane lighters. Only real solution is to keep the lighter close to your body so that it remains warm until you need to use it.

The flame output by the Pocket Torch is quite nice. It's well-shaped, holds up against wind nicely, and is very, very hot.

Note the clearly delineated shape of the flame and the very decent length. Highly useful for a variety of uses and very wind-resistant.

Like I mentioned earlier, I've had the opportunity to use the Soto Pocket Torch on several occasions. Each time I've pressed the button, the Pocket Torch has come alight. It fits somewhat comfortably in your pocket, despite its size, being that it's relatively flat. There is no concern about having to buy expensive, triple-refined specialty butane from some obscure vendor online or otherwise, rather you can find the fuel-source almost anywhere on the planet. What country doesn't sell your typical rectangular disposable lighter at some store or another?

It also makes it quite easy to carry refills.

The Soto does a bang-up job of lighting my occasional cigar as well, although as I've covered, the design isn't anywhere near as sexy or manly grunt-inspiring as the burly Brunton.

But it works. It bloody well works and in reality, that is all that matters.

Highly recommended. Available from places like REI for about 20 dollars. Go get one!