Herbert Arnold Zenit Hand Torch: the silent Zenit flame in a hand-held burner

The Herbert Arnold Zenit Hand Torch brings the silent, surface-mix Zenit flame into a hand-held burner. It’s built on the same principle as the Zenit bench burners, but with the burner head separated from the control part and fed by flexible hoses, so you can bring the flame to the work. Herbert Arnold describes it as ideal for reworking borosilicate glass, and it’s offered in a 40mm propane/oxygen/compressed-air version for boro. It comes from the long-established German maker behind the quiet, precise Zenit.

What the surface-mix flame gives you

Like the Zenit bench burner, this hand torch mixes fuel and oxygen at the face rather than inside the body, giving a clean, controllable, and notably quiet flame. That calm character is what makes the Zenit family well-liked for precise work and shared studios — see quietest torches for shared studios. For the background on surface mix versus premix, see surface mix vs premix torches.

Who it’s for

The Zenit Hand Torch suits intermediate-to-advanced makers doing hand-held borosilicate work and assembly who want the quiet, controllable Zenit-style flame away from the bench. As a premium German hand torch it isn’t a budget first burner. Because it’s held rather than mounted, it shines at reworking and joining boro where a fixed bench flame is awkward — if you’re choosing a format, see bench vs hand torch.

Fuel, configuration, and supply

It runs propane with oxygen, and is offered in a 40mm propane/oxygen/compressed-air configuration for boro. The separated head and control part keep the hand-held end light, with gas fed through flexible hoses. Herbert Arnold doesn’t publish the torch’s exact oxygen flow (LPM), so match your oxygen supply to your work before you buy — see how many LPM does my torch need and oxygen concentrator vs tanks.

Before you buy

Budget for the whole system, not just the torch: oxygen (tanks or a concentrator), the correct propane regulator, flashback arrestors on both lines, didymium eyewear, and ventilation. As a German burner, sourcing, support, and parts can be less convenient outside Europe, so it’s worth confirming the configuration with a knowledgeable dealer. New to plumbing a torch? Start with the fittings, hoses & connectors guide and the glass torch safety setup guide.

Editor’s note: spec details (the separated head-and-control design, flexible-hose feed, and the 40mm propane/oxygen/compressed-air boro configuration) reflect Herbert Arnold’s own materials and dealer listings. Herbert Arnold doesn’t publish this torch’s exact oxygen flow (LPM) or current pricing, so confirm those specifics with Herbert Arnold or your dealer before purchasing.