How Long Have You Been Collecting Stoves?

For me, just a few months. I always have liked the camping/hiking stoves, but didn't get into the vintage stoves until recently. I wish I would have years ago before the prices went crazy. How long have you been collecting stoves?

 

Oct 2015 I popped on here looking for an old camp stove. ONE, that's all I wanted!!! Then...the madness set in.
Had a few before that but they slipped from my fingers in my journey through life.

Alex

 

I started in April-May 2001, shortly after I came here. I'd had an Optimus 45 as a lad, and nostalgia brought me to this site.

I collected avidly for a year or two, and have only bought a few stove since, but my interest in the subject has never waned.

 

I saved a few from the trash at the shop I worked at 25 years ago. I guess that's when it started. Jerry

 

I don’t “collect” stoves, but they sure accumulate! My first proper stove was a 00 that I bought new in the 70s. I bought a 2nd 00 in the 80s, so that’s when they started accumulating. Then a Coleman suitcase or two, or three. A sigg firejet then a Nova. After I found this site is when I started getting more classics.....

 

I had one until late March of this year. Now I have 8 of them. I caught the bug bad. I think it’s just more time on my hands during the pandemic stay-at-home order.

 

I’ve always had pressurized stoves and lanterns around, but never considered myself a collector really,,, hoarder maybe. I made a video of myself 5 years ago, and someone asked about the stove, an old Svea 123, and how many stoves did I have. I’d never really thought of stoves as anything more than just “a thing” I had around. Next thing I knew, I was accumulating more pressurized lanterns and stoves, and eventually became a member here.

 

About 30 years. Happened by accident. I had a Svea 123 & an awareness of the classic stoves place in my outdoor interest. Then I bought an old 1950's camping catalogue from a 2nd hand book store when I was looking for old maps., another interest back then. Fascinated by the pages with old stoves. Then I found one of the stoves featured & then another. Then I thought it would be nice to find the rest!

 

Awesome guys. I was talking to my 95 year old father in law last night, who loves the great outdoors. I was asking him what was it about using a little stove outdoors? There's just something magical about it.

 

@Haggis

Nice beard sir. I had a nice one going myself. Here's a few photos. It's been my policy to not post photos of myself online, but you get the idea:




I shaved it regrettably, then started growing it again. This last photo was taken last November. Much longer again now:

 

Howdy, @The Warrior , and All,

Back when I first found CCS, I'd already been collecting stoves for a good many years. I began the year that SB and I were married, 40 years ago!! WOW! I can't believe it's been that long since I developed advanced Stove Pox!! It's amazing how quick that disease takes firm hold of you!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

PS - Back when I found CCS, the members would discuss a certain stove, and I'd say, "I have one of those". Of course, most of them were in boxes after having moved up here to the mountains. But, they soon were unboxed, and that was the beginning of The Hobbit Hole, and the "I can't find it", happenings!!

 

@Doc Mark

40 years, wow! I was going to ask in this same thread how many stoves you guys had, but was afraid to ask the question, haha.

 

@The Warrior Herself mentioned the pine bow in my face, in the video,,, I told her it was strategic...

 

Great vid, Haggis. Old man of the mountains-- or, maybe, of the lakes.

Per Warrior, maybe we should have a beard contest one day. I've had a beard since I was 20, except for one year at 50. Mostly I've worn it short, though in early years it was pretty long....

I've always worn it without a mustache, Amish, or Lincoln, style.



Between Haggis, Warrior, Ken, and others there's some impressive beards out there...

 

Nice Ed! I keep mine a little trimmer than the last time. Don't get me wrong, it's still long, just trim the edges and make it look a bit more tame. I go through the Kenny Rogers phase, on to Grizzly Adams, and finally, Santa Claus. I hear that one all the time, haha. Not a bad thing...

 

I do trim my beard on rare occasions,,, Herself and me in a small village in southeastern France,,, Sarlat-la-Canéda,,, Got a hair cut, trimmed my beard, and even took a bath for that trip.

 

Yeah, I've done Santa now and then:

 

@Haggis

I take a bath on rare occasion.

@Ed Winskill

Haha, nice! Some pretty little elves accompanying you also.

 

Yes, I learned early on a little-known precept: If you have lightly..er, brightly..clad elves with you, you can go anywhere you want, pretty much.

That pic was taken 40 years ago last Christmas season; December 1979. Used to wear the beard long then; of course, it was sable black; sprayed it white....time took care of that.

Incidentally, though I haven't been in contact with the left-most elf in the photo for decades, I chat with the others from time to time over the years. We have good memories of those great times.

 

That's awesome Ed.