Flamethrowers typically set fire to a stream of flammable liquid, like gasoline (as a trivial example). Torches use gas, or gas mixtures.
The inherent range differences are a meter (maybe 2) for torches, and flamethrowers do 50-100 m (source: Wikipedia). Just in case that isn’t clear, those aren’t the same category of device.
Construction uses what I would call torches, not flamethrowers
There is very few cases where you want to “throw” flames. It’s inefficient. Keeping the flame and the material close is preferred.
Giant pile of tar you want to set on fire as fast as possible? I guess a flamethrower is effective. Burning brush, anything where you’re catching something on fire so it spreads.
They use “flamethrowers” on bitumen roofs. But the idea behind the tool is to not throw the flames as far as possible.
I’d define flamethrower as “An incendiary device that disperses uncontrollable flames at a distance”
For me the required characteristics would be that it dispenses a burning liquid at a distance in a controlled, directed manner.
If it dispenses burning gas it’s not very useful as a weapon and is really just a big gas burner. Roofing torches, blowtorches, and weed burners fall into this category.
If it doesn’t cover a meaningful distance it’s also not very useful as a weapon and is essentially just a leaky container. Driptorches fall into this category.
If it dispenses the burning material in an uncontrolled or undirected manner it’s either an incendiary bomb/grenade of some sort or an accident. It might be a weapon but not one I’d call a flamethrower.
Flamethrowers don’t use gas. It uses liquid or solid. That’s why real flamethrowers can be used at ranges of 50+ ft. Often times even higher than that.
I suppose the key is where the line is drawn between a flamethrower and a very large torch.
Flamethrowers typically set fire to a stream of flammable liquid, like gasoline (as a trivial example). Torches use gas, or gas mixtures.
The inherent range differences are a meter (maybe 2) for torches, and flamethrowers do 50-100 m (source: Wikipedia). Just in case that isn’t clear, those aren’t the same category of device.
A flamethrower is a ranged incendiary device.
What do you consider a flamethrower?
How far is ranged?
Construction uses what I would call torches, not flamethrowers
There is very few cases where you want to “throw” flames. It’s inefficient. Keeping the flame and the material close is preferred.
Giant pile of tar you want to set on fire as fast as possible? I guess a flamethrower is effective. Burning brush, anything where you’re catching something on fire so it spreads.
They use “flamethrowers” on bitumen roofs. But the idea behind the tool is to not throw the flames as far as possible.
I’d define flamethrower as “An incendiary device that disperses uncontrollable flames at a distance”
For me the required characteristics would be that it dispenses a burning liquid at a distance in a controlled, directed manner.
Flamethrowers don’t use gas. It uses liquid or solid. That’s why real flamethrowers can be used at ranges of 50+ ft. Often times even higher than that.