Steve, I'm a professional welder, taught welding for six years, and for the last sixteen years have been in the welding supply business myself, so I'll give you my honest opinion. Since Thermadyne bought Victor, and moved their manufacturing out of country, they've really fallen in quality. Your local counter guy is correct; Harris beats Victor hands down, especially with propane. However, I will say this about Harris, they're owned by Lincoln, and made in Holland. It seems everything Lincoln buys, eventually winds up doing badly. Again, just my opinion. Having said that, let me give you more options. Smith, Purox, and Oxweld, are still made in The UNITED STATES, and all carry a LIFETIME warranty. Where Smith Equipment is concerned, that's the lifetime of the torch, not the owner. Hard to beat. All cut just as well with alternate fuel gasses. As an added bonus, Purox, and Oxweld carry and extra 100 Day, 100% guarantee; meaning that if you're not happy with the equipment in the first 100 days, your money is refunded in full. I strongly suggest you buy AMERICAN made. Those three companies are very competively priced, and I firmly believe in AMERICAN jobs. Good luck, Barry