Hey, Kids, Almost time for bed.... But, I just checked eBay, on a hunch, and sure enough, there was an Optimus 22B!! It's going for high cotton, though, and looks like it needs a little help, as one of the control knob springs is broken off. I paid only a fraction of that price for each of mine, one costing about $20, and the other about $40. I think there are still 22's and 22B's out there, for much better prices that this eBay offering. In fact, I'm looking for one right now, for a friend!! Here's the eBay link, anyway, for what it's worth: http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Optimus...ryZ87139QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Take care, and God Bless! Doc Mark
One of these would sure be nice to have but how could one justify paying the price of 15 or 20 Coleman suitcase models to get one?
Morning, Bob, I agree with you, totally! While I HAVE paid top dollar for some stoves that I own, it's much better to get the stove you want, for a price that's much more reasonable. Like I wrote, I paid around $20-$40 for the two 22B's I own, and I know that are others out there for similar prices. So, if I wanted one, I'd wait for one of those, instead of paying the horribly inflated prices that eBay Sellers conjure up! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
Dear Doc Mark, You know it's sad, but here in upstate NY I never even seen a kerosene stove in use - other than mine. Imagine 6 million acres of wilderness designated bt State Charter forever wild, a population of 7,000 Black Bears, 10's of thousand deer and moose, a people population density of only 2 persons per square mile and not a kerosene stove anywhere to be seen or heard.
The last one I tried seriously for topped out at $153. That was $2 dollars more than I bid. If I hadn't gone out, it might have been mine around $160 This at 5pm with a day to go is already at that price I lost at. Any one figure it'll hit $200 by the time it finishes tomorrow. When I go for mine, I better plan on $200US, ouch! Iain The Spirits want us all to have 22's, it's up to us to get them.
Yipes Iain! That would have got you at least 10 Canadian-made Coleman Easi-lite suitcase stoves on Ebay
Hey Bob, Yep and as one of my former Team Leads would say: Your point is? They ain't 22s. 8) Worked with many Coleman Suitcases and your right; they are a dime a dozen on eBay. Iain
Point is- the Colemans are just as reliable, cook just as well, start more easily, simmer better and cost 1/15 the price of the overpriced 22's
Hey Bob, And they are still Coleman Suitcases. I collect stuff that is different and intrigues me. It's like the Jeep vs Land Rover vs Land Cruiser question. Unless you own one of each, you can't rightly compare them and all sides know which is better. People who I own one each have their own reasons. Lets say those who have a Jeep which is the common serious 4wheeler locally. One who lived on the street was a Mudder but had rescued an old Long body and done a restore. Another needed an comparatively cheap serious 4wheeler because of the location on one job. Another hates their's because it's in the shop all the time. Landies are Yuppie mobiles due to serious cost in Canada. Toyota Land Cruiser are like Lamborghini's, something to savour due to rareness. I know and use Coleman Suitcases. I want a large one eventually because I want to get a Coleman Oven. But I want the stoves that are different. The same thing that had me buy a Hasselblad that I used unprofessionally for several years will send me on to a Porsche and a Landie. Why? Cause I want to and one day will get them. Iain
I see what your saying Iain, but now that I could afford a Mercedes SUV, I still drive a Ford Explorer. As I approach 60, functionality has become more important to me than the intrigues of name brands - unless, of course, like Doc Mark with the 22's, I can make an exceptional deal.
Hey, Iain. I say go for high cotton if you want to. Some may ask how you can justify such a price. I cannot see what they are talking about. Justify it to whom? If it is worth it to you, then it is worth it. I paid $203 for a very nice one and I do not regret it one bit. With all my obligations met, I had the funds and I wanted it THAT week and I got it. To anyone who has one that cost them much less, I congratulate them sincerely for their luck in finding it, but I did not experience that particular piece of good fortune yet. I am, however, in possession of a sweet, nearly flawless 22B. And while I am still what some would call young, no one of us is getting any younger. I have plenty of other excellent deals to my credit. As I see it, a year from now, if not much sooner, that money probably would have been spent on something that I would not enjoy as much as what it bought. There are many things I gladly forgo. A nice 4-wheel drive along with good and plentiful gear to enjoy the outdoors are not among them As for Coleman, I love their lanterns and single burners, but a two-burner suitcase simply has no style. I can only speak for myself, but that settles it for me. Nor could you pay me to drive a Ford Explorer. To each his own. Now as to not driving a Mercedes that can be afforded, though in truth I cannot yet afford a G500, on the day I can, I?ll give you one guess as to what Kevin is going to be pulling up in. I understand perfectly well that thrift can be a virtue, but I also understand that there is a powerful streak of puritanism in many that tastes its own bile whenever it sees its fellow enjoying most anything and then thinks of a plausible reason to condemn it. Functionality? Dwelling in an abandoned automobile and eating a bowl of oats and dandelion leaves every day can be quite functional from the standpoint of being alive for many more years. It is hardly what I would call living. Tandem omne solvitur. Better enjoy it while you can. One more thing. Sarah wanted me to ask you guys if there is a support group for the commiseration of wives and girlfriends of stovers. She is just kidding though. Sarah loves my stove collection. She is always begging me to take her canoeing or backpacking or just car camping. A while back she watched me as she saw for the first time a supper cooked with a 123R. She asked me how to operate it. Next morning she woke me in my hammock on Shining Rock Mountain to enjoy a steaming mug of Arabian Mocha Java from Peets of San Francisco. Compliments of Sarah and the 123R and a Sigg Tourist. I know, I know. It?s $14 a pound. Well, it?s worth it to us. Take care and enjoy. Kevin
Good Morning, Kevin, You, Sir, are truly a man after my own heart!!! I say, way to go on your post, and I couldn't agree more!! Yes, I have gotten some outstanding deals on many of my stoves, and I'm sure that many more such deals will happen in the future. However, I've paid a pretty penny for a few of them, too, and I like those high-dollar stoves not one whit less then the ones I got for a song!!! Yes Sir, I say, if you want to buy something, have your bills paid, and a little saved for a rainy day, what's holding you up??!!??! Great post, Kevin, and I hope some of our Stovies will take heed, and strike, next time they see a stove they like, but worry about the price tag!!!! By the way, Kevin, your Sarah sounds a lot like my Sweet Bride! Take care of her, Son, and don't let that one get away. Like my Cynthia, she's a very special Lady!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark P.S. The exception to the above statement about spending money is the person who, truly, cannot afford to spend much, if anything, on a stove. For them, I say, "wait for it, Lads", one will come along for a better price, some year, and a good stove is worth the wait!!
I bought the 22B stove on Ebay.The stove was in better condition then the picture showed.I soldered the clip back,cleaned the stove up and fired it up.Worked perfectly.I thought the price was a bit high,but the next 22B went for over 220.00dollars,and itwasn't any better.I'm happy with the stove,and look foward to using it on my canoe camping trips. Lonewolf
Hey Doc, that's a lot of money, mind you they do fetch a tidy sum over here. I won one on ebay some time ago not knowing that it was a 22B, it was listed as a 22 which burns kero. I put it back on ebay and it sold to some guy in Holland for over 60 quid.
