I finally found an Optimus cookset on craigslist. It's in pretty good condition except for a small dent on the bottom edge of the pot that I could probably tap out. It's the set that only has one pot. What is an average fair price for this set? No box included. It also does not have the wire bail that secures the stove.
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If you were buying this cook set for personal use you could answer that question yourself. Either "yes" it's worth it to me even if I have to use a potholder or fashion a replacement handle, or, "no" that's too much hassle even if it is a good deal. That makes me think you're buying this cook set for re-sale. That's trickier. You have to figure out if there will be enough profit left after buying and re-selling the item to make it worth your while. Having watched a lot of episodes of "Pawn Stars" and "American Pickers" I've figured out that you have to acquire things at half what you can sell them for on average. What the cookset will be worth to potential buyers depends on condition, desirability, and rarity. Even missing the bail and having a dent people will still pay up if it's ultra-rare and desirable. If it's a common set, people will only pay up if it's in perfect unused condition still in its original box and then only if it's desirable. Whatever the circumstance, I wish you luck.
I'm not looking to resell. I want a smaller cookset than my Sigg Tourist for backpacking. I guess the wire bail allows the stove to be transported in the cook kit. Is that its only function? Ben, the wire bail I'm talking about is the one that clips the stove to the bottom. Not a pot lifter.
YES we need pictures!! I don't know what one looks like... OK, I searched and now know what it looks like. It looks like the one I use all the time, 'cept I just have the two windshield pieces and a pot that fits well. Mine has a Primus 71 for a stove, and works really well.
Normally I would be happy to post pictures but this deal fell through. The seller didn't want to ship. My search continues....
I have (so I'been told) an early Optimus 88, single pan kit, with a mint 123R. I believe (not sure) that the pan set alone is called a 124. Not for sale, BTW Linky
Again, it depends on what you want - purely practical for use or do you want a collectible? I bought a 123R SVEA with 88 cook set in 1980 - still use it. Recently I have started to appreciate Trangia - not because I like alcohol stoves, but the whole design of the Storm Cooker is just so good. Weighed them out of interest, both with no fuel: 123R / 88 w bail, windscreen, 2 pots, f/pan & pot lifter - 670gm. Trangia 27-1 complete - 681gm - without strap - 662gm (lighter than the 123R etc.) I'm not in love with alcohol stoves, but don't dismiss the Trangia - widely available. Norm
I thought the pan set with no windscreen was the 124. The 88 included a windscreen similar to a the Sigg Tourist. The lack of a wire bail is no big deal.
I'm not exactly clear on the model number designations either. As far as the wire bail that secures the stove...now I'm not sure that all the variations had it. I think that some just had a couple bendable tabs instead. Confused.... Baja, does your set have a wire bail?
