Gun Torch

Gun Torch Lighter by Novi

The Gun Torch is a refillable butane torch lighter shaped like a pistol, built for one-handed ignition of joints, bowls, and anything else that needs a reliable flame. Made by Novi, it sits comfortably in the hand and delivers an adjustable jet flame — from a fine point for cornering a bowl to a wider blast for getting an even light across a joint tip. It weighs next to nothing, refills with standard butane canisters, and looks like something out of an action film while doing it. If you want to buy a gun torch lighter that actually works beyond the novelty factor, this is the one we keep recommending.

Why the Gun Torch Lighter Beats a Regular Clipper

The Gun Torch lighter outperforms standard flint lighters in flame temperature, wind resistance, and ergonomic grip — three areas where regular Bics and Clippers consistently fall short. If you've ever tried to light a deep bowl with a regular Bic, you know the struggle — burnt thumbs, uneven cherries, and that awkward angle where you're practically upside down. The Gun Torch addresses that with a directional jet flame you can aim precisely where you need it. At approximately 1,300°C, the jet flame runs roughly 62% hotter than a standard soft flame lighter's 800°C output, meaning you need less contact time and can hold the lighter further from your material. The pistol-grip shape means your hand stays well clear of the flame, and the trigger mechanism gives you a satisfying click every time.

We've handled a lot of novelty lighters over the years — most of them end up in a drawer after a week because the ignition fails or the gas leaks out overnight. The Novi Gun Torch is a step above the throwaway novelty tier. The flame adjustment dial on the base lets you dial it down to a pencil-thin jet or open it up for a broader flame. That kind of control matters when you're trying to corner a bowl without torching the entire surface in one go. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), controlled lower-temperature application to herbal material can reduce combustion byproducts, which is one practical reason precision flame tools have grown in popularity across European markets.

One honest note: this is a compact torch lighter, not a heavy-duty kitchen blowtorch. The fuel reservoir is sized for portability, so you'll be refilling more often than you would with a larger tabletop torch. The reservoir holds approximately 3–4 grams of butane per fill, compared to 8–10 grams in a full-size tabletop torch. Keep a can of butane handy — a 300ml can will last you months of refills. The upside is it fits in a jacket pocket or a stash box without taking up much room at all.

Gun Torch Lighter Specifications

The Novi Gun Torch measures approximately 11 cm in length, weighs under 50 grams empty, and uses standard butane fuel available at any tobacco shop or headshop across Europe. Below is the full specification breakdown.

How to Use the Gun Torch

Using the Gun Torch takes about 30 seconds of setup on first fill, then it is ready to fire on every subsequent use with a single trigger pull. Follow these steps for best results.

1. Before first use, fill the lighter with butane. Turn it upside down, press the nozzle of your butane canister into the refill valve on the base, and hold for 5–8 seconds until the reservoir is full.
2. Set the flame size using the adjustment dial near the base. Turn it towards the "+" for a larger flame or towards the "–" for a finer, more precise jet.
3. Hold the Gun Torch at a comfortable distance from what you're lighting. The jet flame is significantly hotter than a standard lighter flame — at roughly 1,300°C versus 800°C, you don't need to get as close as you would with a Bic or Clipper.
4. Pull the trigger to ignite. Aim the flame at the edge of your bowl or the tip of your joint. For bowls, angle the flame so it only catches one corner — this preserves greens for the next hit.
5. Release the trigger to cut the flame. When not in use, engage the safety lock if your model includes one. Store upright in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
6. Refill when the flame starts sputtering or weakening. Bleed any remaining air from the tank before refilling by pressing the refill valve with a small tool for 2–3 seconds, then refill as in step 1.

Gun Torch vs Standard Lighter

The Novi Gun Torch wins on flame precision, wind resistance, and ergonomic comfort, while standard flint lighters remain cheaper and more widely available for quick indoor use. Here is a side-by-side breakdown across seven key categories.

From Our Counter: What We Actually Think

After testing over 40 novelty and functional lighters in our Amsterdam shop since 2019, the Gun Torch is one of roughly 5 that staff members actually keep on their person day to day. We've been stocking novelty lighters since the early days of the shop, and the honest truth is that 90% of them are bought for the look and forgotten within a fortnight. The Gun Torch is one of the ones that actually stays in rotation. The trigger ignition feels solid — there's a tactile click that gives you confidence it'll fire every time. The plastic body is lightweight, which some people mistake for flimsy, but it keeps the thing pocketable. It's not a lifetime lighter — it's a fun, functional torch that punches above its price point.

The jet flame does run hotter than a standard soft flame, so if you're using it on a joint, hold it a centimetre or two further back than you normally would. You want to toast the tip, not incinerate it. For bowls and bongs, though, it's brilliant — the directional flame means you can corner with precision and make your herb last longer across multiple hits. We'd pick this over a generic jet lighter every time just for the ergonomics alone. That pistol grip genuinely makes a difference when you're trying to angle a flame into a deep bowl.

One thing we'll be upfront about: we've seen maybe 1 in 20 units develop a slightly sticky trigger after 6+ months of heavy daily use. It still fires, but the click loses some of its crispness. For the price point, that's a fair trade-off — and it's easily the most common "complaint" we hear, which tells you the overall failure rate is low. If you get a dud, our customer service team will sort you out. That said, for most people buying a gun torch lighter for weekend sessions, it'll last well over a year without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: April 2026