For me, the Primus No.41 would top the list. Then, probably the Optimus 22, and also the Optimus 199. What's yours?
We have had Holy Grail discussions down the years; always a fun topic. Mine was a pristine Optimus 45 in (square) tin, to match the stove my folks had given me in about 1962; the memory of which stove in turn led me to CCS in April 2001. I had bought 50+ stoves when I came upon that one on eBay finally. Bought it for $258 (nearly 19 years ago). My desire to collect subsided quickly thereafter, for what would seem to be obvious psychological reasons. On the other hand, I never lost interest in the subject, so here I am still all these years later.
Oh I know what you mean. I've got a few 22's but wouldn't mind the other two you mentioned. The hunt continues... Alex
A working 8r, I don't know really, like Ed the initial pox fever finally burnt out, just have a couple of itches to scratch.
So many stoves I have never heard of. I like this thread, it makes me look up stoves I'm not familiar with yet. Comet 6, I have a new grail, haha.
Optimus 9 would be nice to get. Also local Petrovalo's No.5 stove is on top of my list (never seen one but it has been on production).
Monitor Major, Minor, 18 and 12. The Major and Minor are fairly well known. The 18 and 12 are larger versions of the 17, with 2 pint and 1.5 pint tanks respectively. The 12 came in a gold lacquered tin but I have never seen either the 18 or 12, except in advertisements.
My Grail was always the Borde bomb. Since then I've found a few of them and use one regularly. My stove pox are pretty much gone, enjoying and appreciating the stoves I have in my collection now
I find myself moving towards range type stoves. I lived on a yacht with a Taylor's 030 for a few months in the 80s and I wouldn't mind one of those, but not at £3k. Something like the Australian Aladdin ranges would be nice.
