I have browsed this site for information a few times over the years, but never thought to become a member until now. I've always thought of myself as more a stove user than a stove collector, but I suppose I am a sort of "serial collector," if there is such a thing. Here's a list of the stoves I have owned, or still own: #1. The two-burner green and red Coleman of my childhood, which my parents bought in 1958 or 59. It was eventually passed down to me, and I still use it from time to time. The smell and hiss of the burners (and the louder hiss of the Coleman lantern) are among my earliest memories of the outdoors. #2. One-burner Coleman "Sportster," bought by me at about age 15. Sometime in my 30s it died a sudden death when a heavy piece of lumber fell on it during a house-building project. #3. Svea 123R, used on a great many youthful hiking and mountaineering adventures and misadventures. I gave it away to a nice young woman of my acquaintance in hopes that she would see me as a worthwhile boyfriend. She was unconvinced. I'm not sure where she is now, but I was recently given another 123 (not the R model this time) by an old friend, albeit without the nice Sigg cook kit which went with my first Svea. #4. A swell Phoebus 625, bought at Peter Limmer and Sons in Intervale, NH in about 1974. I loved the silent burner. It ran like a champ for close to 20 years until the control valve somehow locked up. In those pre-internet days it wasn't easy to find information about old stoves, so I gave up on this one. It still pains me to thing of it going into the steel recycling bin, but that's what happened. #5. A Coleman Peak 1, which worked well enough, but that I never really liked for some reason. I still have this one. It hasn't been fired up in a couple of decades, though. #6. A little isobutane MSR stove that fits into triangular plastic tube. Kind of flimsy, but practical for long bicycle tours, of which I have done several. #7. I just got my hands on a rather nice-looking Svea 106--my first kerosene stove. I will have more to say--or more likely to ask--about this one once I have had a chance to fire it up. I look forward to doing so. Photos to come. Happy to be here!
Welcome! Users, collectors, most of us have a bit of both. Your history definitely qualifies as a member!
Welcome aboard. I started out with a Svea 123. I remember the 2-Burner Coleman suitcases from Boy Scouts, but they were Troop Property. I bought a Swiss Volcano Flask Cooker by Borde in Hiroshima Japan, for an attempt on Mount Fuji. Weather killed my assault, but I did fire up the Borde and got one hot drink Instant Coffee/Cocao packet before my Japanese ''sterno'' burned out. About 10 years later, REI was selling early Trangia burners, and I got one to fit my Flask Cooker. I didn't consider myself a collector either until after I acquired a WW II German Arara 37 off evilBay. I made a rediculously high bid on it, then took off for the Grand Canyon. When I got back, I found out I'd won. I scoured the internet to learn where to get more parts for this German stove. That's how I got involved with this motley crew of stove pirates. Full onset of the Stove Pox ensued, and now -- 9 years later, I've collected quite a few.
Welcome Jon from the left coast, N/NE California. I have a few stoves you mention, plus early MSR stoves and many small and larger kero stoves. A number of Coleman suitcases and other brands. Duane
Welcome aboard. I started with a Primus Grasshopper in the 70s after my wife and I got hitched.That was followed by an Optimus 99 sometime in the 80s and I still have it. That morphed into many more stoves along the way. My Dad still has the Coleman 425 stove and 220 lantern we camped with in the 60s. I'll probably end up with those.
@Jon Vara , Glad to have you with us, Jon! Welcome to our Merry Little Band of Stove Pyros!! This is a great site, and sounds like you will fit right in amongst us! Thanks for joining up, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
