Penning a story on the Svea 123

Discussion in 'Stove Forum' started by John Fayhee, May 17, 2021.

  1. John Fayhee United States

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    When I hiked the AT in 1979, almost every hiker I met carried a stove (though it should be noted that there were a lot fewer thru-hikers in those days). There were some who mixed stove use with the occasional cooking fire. Almost all the stoves were Svea or Optimus. I do remember a woman in a trail shelter in Virginia who pulled out a Sterno stove and everyone looked at her funny. As for fuel acquisition, by then, most trail towns were accommodating hikers. Hardware stores and/or gear shops would sell Coleman fuel by the liter, poured from a gallon container.
     
  2. John Fayhee United States

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    Thanks, all. This has been a fun stroll down memory lane!
     
  3. SveaSizzler

    SveaSizzler United States Subscriber

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    With regard to the ''Jets/Sharks'' controversy, as a Svea partisan, I/we thought the Optimus 8/8R too big and heavy. It didn't fit in the lower side pockets of a Kelty A4 packframe, and had a heavy useless Steel box without a cup. Not sure when the Optimus 99 came along, but that seemed a better prospect.
    I don't recall any real arguments or fisticuffs over the matter. Just each side thought the other a fool. Not sure what reasons backed the 8R crowd, but they were goofy, anyway.
    I stayed West, camping in the Sierras and Rockies. Also I was active in SAR after military service.
    I have since acquired an 8R and a 99 and l like them.

    Some weight comparisons:
    SVEA 123 = 544 g, 19.1 oz
    SVEA 123R = 552 g, 19.4 oz
    Optimus 8R = 667 g, 23.4 oz
    Opti 99 = 650 g, 22.9 oz
    So the 123 wins the Grams Race.