Bethlehem Sharp Flame Hand Torch: an adjustable surface-mix hand torch
Bethlehem Sharp Flame Hand Torch · Hand torch · Surface mix
The Bethlehem Sharp Flame Hand Torch is a stainless, single-stage surface-mix hand torch built to mimic the centerfire flame of the discontinued PM2D, an adjustable, controllable flame for assembly, spot heating, and boro, in two neck lengths.
Specs
- Mix type
- Surface mix
- Mount
- Hand
- Oxygen (estimate)
- ~10 LPM
- Fuel
- Propane, Natural gas
- Skill level
- Intermediate, Advanced
- Glass
- Soft, Boro
- Best for
- Hand torch, Assembly, Boro
- Price
- ~$315 (reference)
- Jets
- 6
- Stages
- 1
Manufacturer page
Manufacturer page
Treat the oxygen figure as a rough sizing estimate, not a specification. Depending on the model it may be manufacturer full-flame consumption, a converted flow figure, or a documented estimate, and delivered pressure and purity matter as much as flow. What actually drives a torch choice is the glass, the work, and the flame, so size your oxygen supply after you pick the torch. Prices may be manufacturer list prices or observed dealer references. Use the evidence label and sources below, then confirm the exact configuration before buying.
Overview
The Bethlehem Sharp Flame Hand Torch is a stainless, single-stage surface-mix hand torch that produces an adjustable flame built to mimic the centerfire of the discontinued PM2D bench burner. It’s made for bringing a controllable flame to the work, assembly, spot heating, and boro, and comes in two neck lengths to suit how you reach into a piece.
What the surface-mix flame gives you
Like Bethlehem’s bench burners, this hand torch is surface-mix: fuel and oxygen meet at the face rather than premixing inside it, for a quiet, calm flame that’s easy to control. The design recreates the PM2D’s centerfire character in a hand-held form, so the flame is familiar to anyone who ran that bench burner. For the background on the mixing approach, see surface mix vs premix torches.
A hand torch for assembly and spot work
A hand torch is held and maneuvered rather than fixed to the bench, which makes it well suited to assembly, joins, spot heating, and off-mandrel work where a bench burner can’t reach. The flame is adjustable, and the handle is adjustable too. Two neck-length options, 4in and 7in, let you choose between a compact reach and more clearance into a larger piece. For when a hand torch is the right tool versus a bench burner, see bench vs hand torch.
Glass, fuel, and oxygen
It handles soft glass and boro and burns propane or natural gas with oxygen. At full flame, the catalog lists roughly 3 LPM propane (2 to 5 psi) and 10 LPM tanked oxygen (8 to 20 psi), a modest appetite for a hand torch. Note the full-flame figure is given for tanked oxygen, so if you run a concentrator, confirm suitability with Bethlehem. Bethlehem lists six gas jets for this torch. See how many LPM does my torch need.
Where it sits in the Bethlehem lineup
This is Bethlehem’s hand-torch answer alongside its surface-mix bench range (Alpha, Star, STACKS, Bravo, Champion, Grand). Notably, it keeps the PM2D’s flame alive even though that bench burner has been retired and replaced by the Champion. Its quiet, controllable flame also makes it a sensible pick for shared spaces, see our quietest torches for shared studios roundup.
Before you buy
Budget for the whole system, not just the torch: oxygen (a concentrator or tanks), the correct propane or natural-gas regulator, flashback protection matched to your torch and gas supply, didymium or boro-rated eyewear matched to your glass, and ventilation. New to plumbing a torch? Start with the fittings, hoses & connectors guide and the glass torch safety setup guide.
Editor’s note: flame and flow figures above reflect Bethlehem’s own catalog for the Sharp Flame Hand Torch (full-flame figures are given for tanked oxygen; compiled, not independently re-verified). The six-jet count comes from Bethlehem’s own product page, and pricing can change, so confirm current pricing, and concentrator suitability, with Bethlehem before purchasing.
Fit and tradeoffs
Best for: Intermediate-to-advanced makers who want a controllable, hand-held surface-mix flame for assembly, spot heating, and boro work away from the bench.
Not for: Heavy melt-ins or large-tube production that need a big multi-stage bench burner, or a first torch for a complete beginner.
Pros
- + Adjustable surface-mix flame that mimics the PM2D's centerfire
- + Hand-held format for assembly, spot heating, and off-bench work
- + Adjustable handle, with two neck-length options (4in and 7in)
- + Modest oxygen appetite, around 10 LPM at full flame
- + Handles soft glass and boro
Cons
- − Single-stage hand torch, not a substitute for a multi-stage bench burner on big work
- − Catalog lists tanked oxygen for the full-flame figures; confirm concentrator suitability with Bethlehem
- − Six gas jets: a sharp, focused centerfire flame rather than a wide soaking one
Flame notes
Six-jet stainless hand torch with an adjustable surface-mix flame, designed to mimic the center-fire flame of the discontinued PM2D. Bethlehem lists 3 LPM propane and 10 LPM tanked oxygen at full flame.
Maker
Bethlehem Burners
USA · Founded 1950
Focus: Scientific, Production, Boro
A division of Bethlehem Apparatus Company. Bethlehem says it has manufactured surface-mix glassworking torches since 1950.
Related reading
Compared with
Head-to-head guides that put the Sharp Flame Hand Torch against other torches.
FAQ
- What flame does the Sharp Flame Hand Torch produce?
- An adjustable surface-mix flame designed to mimic the centerfire flame of the discontinued PM2D bench burner. So if you liked the PM2D's centerfire, this hand torch carries that character forward.
- How much oxygen does it use?
- At full flame the catalog lists about 3 LPM propane (2-5 psi) and 10 LPM tanked oxygen (8-20 psi). It's a modest appetite for a hand torch; because the full-flame figure is given for tanked oxygen, confirm concentrator suitability with Bethlehem if that's your supply.
- What neck lengths are available?
- Two: a 4in neck and a 7in neck. The longer neck gives more reach into a piece; the shorter is more compact. The handle is also adjustable.
- When should I choose a hand torch over a bench torch?
- When you need to bring the flame to the work, assembly, joins, spot heating, and off-mandrel work, rather than the work to the bench. See our bench vs hand torch guide for the trade-offs.