Vector Shadow | halfwheel

In August 2025, Vector-KGM released a pair of lighters that, based on their prices and design, sit in the middle of what would be described as economical and on the lower end of midrange.

They are the Hyper and Shadow, a pair of lighters that because of their large, translucent, plastic butane fuel tanks, sort of look like the familiar wallet-friendly pocket lighters, but then have touches of more upscale options due to what could be described as a protective all-metal frame that also houses the ignition mechanism.

The two lighters look alike but have some notable differences:

• Vector Hyper ($28) — a single flame torch with no accessories
• Vector Shadow ($32) — a dual-flame torch, with the two flames angled together, and a built-in punch cutter and draw poker

Both lighters feature an angled flame design, a large flame adjustment wheel on the base, and are offered in the same six colors: clear, black, blue, green, red, and smoke, which is an orange-like color.

WHAT IS IT?

The Vector Shadow is a dual-flame pocket torch that is distinguished by its metal frame and large, translucent fuel tank. The company says that the Shadow will work at elevations up to 14,000 feet above sea level.

It measures 3.96 x 1.77 x 0.93 inches and weighs in at 3.4 ounces. It also comes with Vector-KGM’s “Famous No Proof Warranty.” As long as the lighter isn’t completely destroyed and in pieces, the company says it will repair or replace it.

According to the company’s website, simply pack it up securely, send it in with your contact information, include the return shipping fee, and expect to get your lighter back in a couple of weeks, with the company saying the typical turnaround time is two to three weeks after it receives the package. If you’re sending one to three lighters that shipping fee is just $12 if you’re in the United States. There are some further notes about models that aren’t being serviced any longer, as well as other terms and conditions, so be sure to check the website for specifics. However, you don’t need a receipt.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

$32.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The process is quite simple: there is a large ignition mechanism on the top of the lighter, and all that needs to be done is to pull back that mechanism, as it both starts the flow of butane and sparks the ignition to set that butane aflame. Hold the ignition button in place for as long as is needed to light the cigar, then release it and the flame is instantly extinguished.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL?

The metal frame is unique and makes for an interesting design that merges the plastic fuel tank commonly found on lower-priced lighters with the metal body of more expensive options.    

PROS

• It Feels Great in the Hand — Every so often, I bemoan the gap that exists between lighters that qualify as “pocket-friendly” and those designated as designed for the tabletop. It seems that there can and should be a third category as “in the hand friendly,” which I believe the Vector Shadow is. It’s on the large side of fitting in a pocket, it’s on the small side for a tabletop, but it fits my hand nearly perfectly.
• There’s No Heat on the Hand — The way this lighter is designed, my fingers don’t come anywhere near the flame, and I don’t have to touch any of the metal body. I never once felt any heat while using the Vector Shadow.
• The Flame is Great — I tend to lean towards dual-flame torch lighters, especially when the flames are angled together, as they can be powerful enough to handle bigger cigars and yet precise enough to handle thinner ring gauges without scorching the sides or completely charring the foot. I had no issues with the Shadow’s flame and really enjoyed how it handled every cigar I put in front of it.
• The Flame Adjuster Is Easy — I love the larger size that doesn’t require a tool to adjust, and that’s just what the Vector Shadow offers.
• The Clear Fuel Tank Also Makes Things Easy — I know some may shun the design, but as someone who uses a lighter nearly every day, being able to see how much fuel is in the tank is very helpful.

• The Tools Are Nice — I’ll admit that I don’t use them much, but I like the size of both the punch cutter and draw poker, as well as how they integrate into the lighter. I often think many fold-out punch cutters are too small to be practical or comfortable to use, but this is at the other end of the spectrum. It folds out and creates plenty of space in which to punch the cap of a cigar.

CONS

• It’s Not the Classiest Looking Lighter — There’s an undeniable utilitarian look to the Vector Shadow, whether that is good or bad is up to the end consumer. That said, it’s hard not to overlook the fact that this is essentially a very budget-friendly lighter in a metal frame, so if you’re looking to wow your friends and strangers when you pull out your lighter, this might not be the one for you.
• The Tools Have Some Wiggle — While I like the tools, they appear to be held in place by a small pin, and they have some wiggle to them, something I noticed since the start of using the lighter several weeks ago. I wonder just how secure that pin is, and if there’s a chance it might eventually come out and thus render the tools unusable, and if I were a regular user of a punch cutter, I’d be more concerned.
• I’m Not Sure What the Metal Adds — While it makes for a great spot to put the draw poker and punch cutter, I’m not sure just how much the metal body adds to the cigar lighting experience. It does add some size and weight, but it also adds cost, and I’m still not sure yet where I sit on that trade-off.

THE COMPETITION

There’s no shortage of options to consider, and some are very competitive to the Shadow, based on the features you’re looking for and the amount you’re looking to spend.

• Palió Pro Scorpius ($32.99) — From a functionality standpoint, this is nearly identical to the Shadow, as it offers the fold-out punch cutter and draw poker, though it’s a single flame torch as opposed to a dual flame. It also has an all-metal body as opposed to the plastic tank that the Shadow has. I haven’t used this enough to offer an opinion, but simply from looking at it, it would be a close competition as to which one I’d go with, but I’m leaning toward the Scorpius based on its cleaner design.
• JetLine C-45 ($24.99) — I haven’t used this lighter, but in terms of looks, I’m pretty sure I’d lean to the C-45 due to its all-metal body. The fact that it’s a few bucks cheaper doesn’t hurt, either. It’s also a dual-flame torch with a fold-out punch cutter, while a large fuel window shows how much butane is in the tank.
• Vector Hyper ($28) — Another close competitor to the Shadow comes from Vector and the lighter that came out alongside it. Between the two, I’d take the Shadow both for a little more flame and the tools, which come with a pretty minimal cost increase. I also think I could find some better value propositions for single-flame torch lighters that function the same as the Hyper, just without the metal body.
• Verigo Boxer ($14.99) — If the fuel tank and angled head are the priority, and you want to save some money, the Boxer is a solid option. I’ve used this one a bunch and it’s as good as any lighter I have in my drawer. If forced to pick, I’d be inclined to save some money and go with the Boxer, even though I’m partial to two flames as opposed to three.
• Palió Pistola ($9.99) — If I’m going to mention the Boxer, I have to mention the Pistola, a similarly designed lighter at an even lower price that would be very appealing and a real competitor to the Shadow. There’s also the triple-flame Squadra, a similar design priced around $15.
• Vertigo Intimidator ($34.99) — If you like the angled head and large fuel tank but want more firepower, this quad-flame torch could be an option. While I don’t own one, I’ve used this model multiple times, and while I like it, I find four torches to be a bit too much firepower for my liking. I’d stick with the dual-flame Shadow if picking between the two.

SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

Yes. I found the Vector Shadow to be a very reliable lighter that offers a huge fuel tank, very easy usage, and a pair of tools that came in handy on occasion. Regarding those tools, if I used a punch cutter regulalry, I think I’d enjoy this even more, as I like how the cutter moves the punch away from the main body of the lighter. As with any lighter, I could take some issue with the design, the price, but as someone who values function more than anything else, this checks that box.

The lighter used for this review was purchased by halfwheel.

Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the G-League’s Valley Suns. I was previously the PA announcer for the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League, and Goodyear Ballpark, spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians. I also work in a number of roles for Major League Baseball, plus I’m a voiceover artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.