for posterity:
torque is force times radial distance. if you have a wrench with a 3" handle and apply fifteen pounds of force, you are exerting 15*.25 foot-pounds of torque (3.75 ft-lbs). if you have a 6" handle and apply the same force, you're applying more torque: 15*.5 ft-lbs (7.5 ft-lbs).
for a practical example of this effect, try to push open a heavy door from near the hinges, and then try again out near the handle. close to the hinges (less radial distance) it requires more force to open it. the further out you go, the less force it requires to get the same effect.