Brad

For a torch, non-Ronson, Blazer is about as reliable as you are going to get. My advice would be to get another one, you got a dud, it's definatly not normal for Blazers.

I had a Xikar Exec, busted within a year. Now I use soft flame indoors, if I'm outside I just use a Ronson because I didn't feel like buying another torch. Got tired of dealing with torch lighters, most of them are pieces of crap.