Propane torches
are readily sold in hardware stores for soldering plumbing, but
they have a multitude of uses. 
First of all, they can be used to start fires on wood that is hard to light, or when you are pressed for time in making a fire.
They can also be used to melt certain metals and for brazing (i.e. solder-welding) metals together.
A good propane torch is inexpensive and has a multitude of uses wherever an extremely hot and concentrated flame is required.
Check out the Bernzomatic TS4000 Trigger Start Torch
It has great reviews on Amazon and costs less than $40!
Oh, and don't forget the propane.