BernzOmatic Basic Use UL2317 Brass Pencil Flame Propane Torch Head (UL2317 Torch)

I experienced the same issue other reviewers noted: the pinhole where gas comes through is too small, won't let gas through, and thus won't ignite. I thought that was the issue. Turns out if you don't hold your igniter right at the tip of torch head, it won't ignite. If you hold the igniter RIGHT AT THE EXHAUST of the torch head, it'll ignite (see attached picture). Once I figured that out, the torch works beautifully with a small pencil-tipped flame. Just make sure you're igniting it in the right spot.

This review is of BernzOmatic Model UL2317 Brass Pencil Flame Torch Head. Works perfectly. Lights easily, stays lit, allows tilt angle of at least 135° even though the instructions and packaging note that it’s for “upright” use. See video. In the video I used a 16 oz propane container, about 1/3 full and at 50°F. It is entirely plausible that your performance while tilted may vary if your canister has a different fullness or is at a different temperature. I do remember my previous torch (I’m sure it was a BernzOmatic, might have been this exact model) under certain conditions surging when tilted, by which I mean a large increase in flame. I don’t remember it ever going out due to tilting. It’s been many years, but if I had to guess I’d say it was most pronounced when the temperature was colder and the canister less full. I learned a long time ago that lighting a torch with a match is easiest if you open the valve as little as possible, and if it’s really cold, heat the tip with the match for a bit before you open the valve. I did not preheat the tip for this test.

Excellent product and price

Hard to light built well but no lighting instructions were included in package

I bought this torch to do some basic soldering and light-duty projects around the house. The "pencil flame" feature sounded perfect for precision work. What I got, however, was a masterclass in frustration. From the moment I attached the cylinder, the flame was inconsistent. It sputtered, it died, and it had a mind of its own. I would get a decent flame for about ten seconds, and then it would weaken to a pathetic flicker, making it completely useless for any kind of heat transfer. I tried adjusting the valve, shaking the can, and even begging it to work, but nothing helped. The final straw was when it started leaking gas from the valve even when it was turned off. The smell was unsettling, and I immediately detached it, realizing this was not only a useless product but a potential hazard. This is a basic tool that fails at its most fundamental function. I'm now on the hunt for a torch that actually works, and this one is going straight in the trash. Save your money and your sanity.

Best

so i saw all the negative posts about how there is no holes in the tube that the end cap screws on ... I previously bought another torch and i was disappointed with how large the flame was, i needed a nice blue pencil flame ... so this one was recommended ... well I received it and what do you know NO HOLE! i thought for a second I too got screwed ... then i remembered i had an old torch in the garage, what do you know it's the same model!! so i unscrewed it ... and it doesn't have a hole either! PURE magic!!!! so i screw the new one on to the bottle and ... out comes a beautiful flame .... Morale of the story ... don't return it and call it junk until you test it ... just because you can't see the hole or holes , doesn't mean somehow it's not there ... i wish I had a microscope to actually see how they achieved this .. but i can attest ... it works and it looks like there are no holes ... can't see them ... but it lights up and works... and that's all that matters! flame is beautiful pencil , and this will be a perfect match for my annealing machine !

Even the good things wear out. This is simply the best type to propane torch to buy and at a good price. I have watched other people struggle with the other types of torches, especially the ones with the lighter combination. I use my Acetylene cutting torch spark lighter and keep on going with this product. If you admire good old fashioned quality products that wear like iron, then this is what you want. I think using only three of these over a 50 year period says it all.