I was out today and ran across a very nice 8R I could not pass it up. Everybody is talking about one or comparing other stoves to. I had to see what all the hub bub was about!! I picked it up for $25.00. Brought it home and gave it the once over put some fuel to it and it lit and burned like a house a fire!! I will brew some morning Java on it tomorrow But I think that I understand why it is such a good stove.
Excellent score! ! I particularly like the older 8R's such as that one because of the knob style control. Very nice condition, too. Well done. Gerry
These realy are good little stoves, as said, there is something nice about the older ones. And you got it at a good price !
Ahh. Its always nice to se a stove form The Golden Era of Optimus. 8R is a powerful little sod, copyed by the Russians and used all over the world. Why do we need multifuel?
Morning, Splitbus, Excellent score, Lad!! The 8R is what I consider to be one of the most convenient stoves around. Easy to setup, easy to prime and light, and easy to use. It's also combined in a small, easy to store package, and is as neat as a bee's knees, to me!! 8) Congrats on an outstanding find, and a great price, too! Have fun with your new 8R! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Vintage?? How old is my little 8R?? I had no Idea I was thinking one of the later because of the knob?? I put some fresh fuel in this morning and brewed up a cup of morning Java (folgers singles) After some preheating with caughlins fire paste she fired right up and burned like a champ. As she was burning I was thinking though is this going to replace my 71L as my goto stove? Or is it going to burn as good as my 123r?? I have one concern is the size of the pot or pan that you can put on it is limited. I use my stoves almost weekly and have the three most common stoves now I guess they all have thier pros and cons. That is why it is called a collection and not a trio. Thanks for all the kind words. I guess I am a bit lucky living where I live that no one else or very few people search out the brass beasts. Colorado being of the camping and hiking stature I have found quite a few with very little expense.
I don't know when exactly the knob was retired in favor of the stamped key. Both have pros and cons. The knob can be left in place while the stove's in use, but requires a separate wrench for maintainance. The key has all the wrench features but needs to be taken off the stem to prevent "Optimus Thumb," and is sometimes inconvenient to reinstall onto the valve stem. Other than those miniscule differences the stoves are essentially identical. I wouldn't be surprised to learn of some overlap in production causing stoves with knobs to be shipped at the same time as stoves with keys. As for usefulness, the stoves all burn so closely to one another that each individual usage is a decision unto itself. My go-to stove for decades has been the 123 non R in a Sigg Tourist. But that's just me. For a lunch box stove the 8R is hard to beat. Gerry
