Anyone playing like this? How effective is bashing with a torch - do bash perks work with torch? Am I better off just going with an empty hand? I'm playing a ranger-like character and would like to refrain from dual wielding, sword&board and two handed so when I found out about this possibility I was intrigued.

I'm sure bash perks work with the torch. What I'm not sure about is how good they can block. Bashing with torches also deal fire damage (not much though).

One of my characters uses no magic so I always carry some torches with me into caves. I usually bash them just to see them light up, but it does negligible damage.