this entry is from Here

"Lighters

Lighters come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Ordinary cigarette lighters are adequate for smoking bud, but they're not the best. If ordinary lighters are used, it's best to make sure the flame is at least 1.5" tall. When lighting, the lighter is best held vertically, with the flame being sucked over the edge of the bowl onto the bud. This method avoids singed fingers.

If possible, a pipe lighter should be purchased. Pipe lighters emit a tall flame at a ninety-degree angle, making it easier to light a bowl. The same effect can be achieved with conventional lighters by using a lighter "holster". The only one I've seen was made out of leather and had a "belt strap" on the back. The lighter was put into the holster, and the index and middle fingers fit snugly into the belt strap (with the holster resting on *top* of the fingers). The thumb could then flick the lighter with all fingers safely away from the flame even if the lighter were held sideways to light the bowl.

Above all else, though, the most important characteristic to look for in a lighter is reliability. It's depressing to be holding a packed bong, ready for a hit, and flicking the lighter over and over without getting a flame."

well... I'm not totally sure about "regular" lighters and others... but I think that torch lighters seem too harsh and too hot for the weed. aka burning more than you could of gotten in your lungs. Either way, after reading that entry from that site, I'm buying a "pipe lighter" on ebay.
I like the idea of high-end lighter + 45~90 degree flame that simply makes it look cooler when getting high.
I'm definitely a quality over quantity guy.