Since joining this great forum I've noticed a variation of my favorite stove, the Svea 123. So far I've seen the Optimus 80 and Primus 71. My question is, how many versions are there and what are the differences?
It depends on what you mean by versions. If you mean small, self-pressurizing, white gas stoves with roarer burners, there are many. The Svea 123 itself only came in two versions though - the early 123 with slant valve and no self-cleaning needle and the 123R with straight valve and self-cleaning needle.
Boy, that question went over like a ton of lead bricks! Sorry folks, I didn't realize there were many versions of Svea 123 type stoves (single burner mounted above tank). Rich, you were correct.... I meant small brass, self-pressurizing, white gas stoves with either roarer or silent burners.
Hey, SB, Sorry I didn't jump in on this one. I have been installing some 6" high Colonial base board in our home, and it was a little more time consuming than I'd at first thought it would be! Oh, well, the "10X" factor kicked in; Estimate the time needed for any specific task, the multiply it by 10, and you should be right on the money!! 8) Of course, you have the SVEA 123, and SVEA 123R. You also have the Primus 71, and the Optimus 80, which are regularly very similar. BUT, the Primus 71 came in at least two sizes, one specifically smaller than the other. Some of us use the smaller tanked 71 in the British Army can, making it a British Army #7. There is, I believe, an Optimus 70, too, one of which Brother Ian has. There could be other, similar, stoves, but these are the ones with which I'm familar. I hope that helps you some. If you need more info, please give us another shout. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hi Doc, Thanks for the info. The reason I asked the question is because I want to start collecting small self-pressurizing stoves. All of my current stoves were purchased for backpacking over a 20 year period. So, I guess I'm not technically a stove collector...Right! At one point I had an Optimus 80 and it was replaced by a Svea 123R w/Optimus 88. I don't recall what happened to the Optimus 80, but I wish I still had it. A good friend offered up his old Svea 123 w/Sigg Tourist, which should be arriving soon. So far I have a Svea 123R and a Svea 123. The Primus 70 that Ian demoed is a very cool stove, but I imagine it would be difficult to find.
There are some German and Czech stoves as well. The Juwel 34 and Meva 37. Very similar designs. Gerry
Hi Singleburner, Why limit yourself to white gas? There are some nice small kero backpacking stoves. The obvious -- and probably earliest "backpacking" stove is the Primus 96. Not much bigger than a Svea. Why limit yourself to "burner over the tank" models? Optimus makes some very nice small stoves in folding boxes, e.g. 8R and 99. Why limit yourself to small stoves? . . . You know you want them all. Welcome to the forum. ....Arch
No, it doesn't! Putting a 'small' 71 in an Army case makes it 'a-small-71-in-an-Army-case'. An Army No.7 is effectively a Svea 123R burner atop an Optimus 80 tank, the whole being enclosed in an Army No.7 case Check out this thread. Someone must have nicked the other two while I wasn't looking. Was it you?
Hey, Ian, OOoppppssss!!! Guess I was wrong about that!! I now consider myself chagrined, and shall try to avoid making that mistake again!! Now, for practical use, I prefer the burner without the internal cleaning pin, to be used in the cans. I know that others may decide otherwise, but for me it's easier to simmer with such stoves, and so I'll keep my "small 71 in an Army case", and be happy with it. (although..... I do have a 123RU, for which I have no project in mind..... and, I do have an Optimus 80 that has a problem burner and from which I could secure a nice fuel tank...... Hummmmmmmmmmmmm........!) Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hey Fellow Stovies, Wow! Thanks for all the replies, this is exactly what I was looking for. This place is a wealth of knowledge. I can see how addicting this hobby is, I think I've been bitten by the stove bug. There is something about these brass stoves that just draw you in. Over the weekend I had several of my stoves fired up in the back yard, when my girlfriend walked by she was shaking her head. She made a comment "why do you need so many stoves?" I was tempted to make a comment about her ever growing shoe collection, but I refrained from making such a comment (didn't feel like sleeping on the couch). I replied, I don't know honey.. I just like em, she smiled then went to the Mall I presume to shop for more shoes.
Morning, Ian, Neat little clip to hold your mini-pump! Where did you come by the clip, and how is it affixed to the front door of the #7 can? Pop-rivet? Thanks, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Thanks for posting the link to the prior discussions. Reading the old posts from Bryan makes me think he may have written his phd thesis on the matter. I love the version with no flame control and the little handle, just too cute for words. That said, I'm not going to allow myself to get obsessed with them as I seem to have far too many weaknesses as it is. Case in point, a new Class 5 rucksack arrived in yesterday's mail.
Your local hardware/ironmongers should have the clips in a variety of sizes. Spot-on re the pop rivet. I did a similar thing with an 8R using a 22mm endcap instead of a tool clip,
