I've been going over my entirely too modest pile of stoves and realize I need some diversity if I'm ever to be considered a proper "Stovie". Currently on my bench are: 1 Svea 123 (slant valve) 1 each Trangia 25, 27, 28 and military 1 Coleman 413G These cover anything that I could ever need a stove to do, except of course take up tons of space in the shop or force me to build an addition like I'm sure some of you have. So if you were starting over in this stove business, knowing what you know now after a lifetime of using and collecting, what would be the first 5 or so stoves you would search for and lose sleep over until they were safely home with you? In other words, what would be the basics for a proper collection? Regards, Ridge (who really doesn't need an Optimus 8R, but has always just loved the way they look!)
Hi, Ridge, Interesting question, and interesting concept! IF I "know what I know, now", and was just starting over, first of all, I know that only 5 stoves will simply not suffice!! But, if FORCED to have only 5 stoves, here is what I'd seek out and buy: 1 - MSR #9, in perfect condition, with all the paperwork, tools, and goodies. 2 - Optimus 81 Tapper, last version, with all paperwork, and tools. 3 - either Optimus 00, or Primus 210, with tins, tools, and paperwork. 4 - Coleman #1, in mint condition, with all the goodies. 5 - Coleman 426, one of the later versions, like a "D", again, in mint condition, and ready to go. THEN, when you weren't looking, I'd sneakily add in: 1- Sievert SVEA 123, first version, with Sigg Tourist Cook set. 2 - Optimus 111, mint. 3 - Optimus 111T, mint condition. 4 - Coleman Model 400, mint condition, with the proper Sigg Tourist Cook set. And, last, and most certainly not least.... 5 - A Trangia 25, with DuoSSal pots, and a nice Trangia kettle, mint condition. I could "make do" with the 10 stoves mentioned, and, if FORCED, could "get by" with the first 5. But, I'd be very unhappy if limited to only 5 stoves, or even 10!! Give me a choice of 25-30, and I could probably get by on that number of stoves, or give me a choice of 50 stoves, and I'd be as happy as a clam!!!! So, there you have it! 5 stoves are not enough, in my book. So, I'd consider the first 5 stoves a "good beginning", then would immediately seek out the next 5, then the next 5, and, well.... you get the picture!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
- Optimus 111 - Optimus 00 or Primus 210 - Svea 123 - Trangia 25 - Primus Omnifuel The order of the entries may change depending on my mood, the phase of the moon and other unexplainable factors, but I'm pretty sure I would go with these five... maybe But I would definitely smuggle in a Primus/Optimus 96 as well. The simple, yet effective design of these small stoves is very appealing.
Let's see; KAP Arctic 25 (with DuoSSAL pots and pan) Trangia 27 (with DuoSSAL pots and pan) Optimus 111 + 111T Hiker (with a square 9L SS snow melting pot) Optimus 199 Ranger Optimus 8R Hunter Optimus 00 Camper Optimus 85 Loke These eight will fill most of my stovie needs [but when the craving hits for a huge 10 man cooking: I will fire up the military KOKUTRUSTNING 10B/S + KANTIN 10 B/S combo]
I can't believe the above lists don't include; a Primus 96 (or similar 96, or Monitor 17B). a large collapsable such as an Optimus 45 which would also cover the need for a discus
Nobody mentioned the Optimus 22(B) yet? They're difficult to find, but ow so pleasing and impressive. I've spend months searching for it. Some Coleman suitcases: The ones that aren't really collectibles yet, but it leaves a hole if you don't have them. Furthermore, I'd like to have the complete reference gallery on my shelf Edit: Ok, just 5: 1) Svea 123(R). This stove has its own Wikipedia page and is a start of many collections. 2) A Coleman 3) An Opti 22 (or 111) 4) A brassie (as a start .. ) 5) A Trangia These 5 should cover a solid basis to start with
Svea 123 with Sigg set Optimus 00 with tin Optimus 45L with tin Monitor 17B with tin Primus 110 My reasons: 1)123 with Sigg is the top pressure classic for backcountry cooking; I carry it on every backpack overnighter. 2)My other "nearly always" backpack stove is a 1-pint keroburner, and I favor the 00, on balance. 3)The Optimus 45 with tin was the stove I had as a kid and was my "holy grail" as a collector; 4)The half-pinters are nifty if limited in usefulness, and the 17B is the "most unique" and has the best tin of the group. 5)Gotta have one big stove and this one is big, cool, and collapsible to boot.
So, what I'm seeing here is that I really need to add a 1 pint kerosene burner like the Optimus 00, plus that 8R I was talking about earlier. And I've kinda always wanted a Coleman 502 with the square pot/pan thingy. And an Optimus 88 Trapper to make all my Trangias seem crude and silly. And then I guess I'll start collecting old kettles and such. Wait, that reminds me! I've got a Kelly Kettle! So of course I need various vintages of Thermettes! This exercise was kind of like wandering into a den of heroin addicts and asking for just a teensy little taste......
Hi, Ridge, As to the Trapper 81 making your "Trangias look crude and silly", that's not the case, at all! As much as I love the Trapper 81, if I had a Trangia 25, I'd be just as happy, in many ways. Toss in a T27, too, and hey, that's a great combo!! Both the Optimus 81, and the Trangia 25/27, work perfectly, as they were designed to do. The Trangia tribe is more simple, without the fragility of the thin o-rings of the Trapper's "Fill Safe" system. Still, it's easy to lube your o-rings often, and also carry some spares, just in case. No muss, no fuss, with either of those great stoves!! 8) Your comment about asking for a 5-stove start, is very funny, indeed, and yes, we ARE sort of like a bunch of Heroin addicts, but we are all addicted to the "Blue Flame", and all the devices that get us there!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
I would include at some point a US version Coleman Solus....if for no other reason than they have cool feet ( I still am looking for one to occupy the space next to my Canuck version...) ...you are about to find out why we have adons put on our houses.....
One is too many, and a million is not enough. Campingo, Optimus 11, Borde Bomb, SVEA Campus (?), etc. Ken in NC
Hey, Ridge, and All, I was perusing the past posts here at CCS, trying to find my very first posts here, in a fit of nostalgia, and found this thread which I started in 2006, two years after I joined up. It mirrors what you have asked here, Ridge, except I was more "generous" than you, and asked our Stovies which stoves should be on their "Fantastically Flaming Favorite Fourteen" list!! If you want to see all our answers, click this link: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/ I loved re-reading this thread, and miss some of the Guys where were around at CCS back then. We even got a visit from Mad Monte Dodge, a Stovie and long distance backpacking from way back, and former CCS member!! I also got a huge laugh out of my own choice of an X-GK model which I seldom, if ever use, anymore, the X-GK II Shaker Jet!! Now, I would most definitely choose the oldest version of the original X-GK AND the original MSR Model 9, both of which best the X-GK II Shaker Jet by a wide margin, IMHO!!! Funny, how some opinions change with more experience, and some are validated to the point that they never change, in regards to favorite stoves!! 8) Have fun checking out the link, just for grins. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
for diversity you have a 2 burner coleman but a single burner would complement so well. Say a 500 502 or 505b There is no remote font stove. You know you need an MSR dragonfly whisperlight or XGK Of course you could substitute a Optimus Nova or gravity into this slot as well There are no kero discus stoves in your list. You need a 1/3 pint a 1 pint and a 2 pint with either silent or loud burners (or both) You also need a discus with a lipstick burner like the 96 Your 413 needs a playmate in the form of a Primus 77 or optimus 22 Then you have a well rounded collection to build on
Several members says Optimus 00 and Primus 210. My question is, what is wrong with Radius? Namely Radius 21. Radius equivalent to the other two. Ridge. If you are a real "stovie", five stoves is nothing. For myself, I do not care what it is as long as it burns liquid fuel. Meta and Esbit stoves included. I buy them as long they are in good condition and even that I have several before. By the way, you say Trangia military. I do not know what you mean by that. If it is the Swedish cooking set as known as "Snuskburken" I personally do not classify it as Trangia. Trangia was one manufacturer of the burner. The canteens was made by several different manufacturers over the years. For me it is only Swedish military issue. Michael
Michael, I will concede to a Swede, Snuskburken it is, albeit with a Trangia marked burner! It was actually this military stove, given to me by the proprietor of an army surplus store, that got me into stoves from places other than America. I remember he told me how great they were and how they could burn anything (glad I didn't try that!). It languished in my shop for a few years before I pulled it out and really examined it. The burner was marked "Trangia" and a quick google search lead me to this site, and here we are. It never ends. But I've done worse. Lots worse. Regards, Ridge
Ridge, Fun thread! I like looking at all the stoves not on my shelf Five stove limit is hard, but then it will hold people to the absolute minimum and will have to make tough decisions. I am kinda with Tetley, on the collapsible 45. What about a base-camp? An Optimus 1? or Primus 5? Neither of which I have. Svea 123 in my top 5, then I dunno. 111T, Campingo, Optimus 00? What about all those stoves out of reach for mere mortals? Looking forward to more talk. Jim
If there were types or catagories, my choices lean toward oldest examples. re "the basics" my Pick 5 is more than 5: > Opti 111 / 22, > Opti 45 / 48 > OptiPri 00 / 210, > Coleman 502, > Primus 71 w/cook set. (If I can get a Opti 100 burner I'd want my 100 in there too!) About that. I'm w/others re the Opti 111. Opti 45 could as easily be SVEA 106 or Radius 17. Probably should be a 2 burner, a 22 I guess. A 00 vs 210... I can't pick one. A 400 should make my list, pushing aside the 550s, the rest of the 400 series, the M1942, the M1942-MOD, the M1950 and the 530. Oh wait, the 502 been using 43 years... I'll dance w/the one who brung me! Sorry 400. Thinning the herd I could set aside a 99 and 123R and reluctantly an 8R for the SVEA 123 but before I pick the 123 I always consider similar older stoves ("THE PREDECESSORS"). I can't pick between the SVEA 123 and circa 1930 Primus 70 and IT'S "following". Decades of stoves followed/copied the P70! ie P71, Op80, Radius 42, SVEA 123. BUT A mid 30's to mid 50s Primus 71 w/it's cook set would bounce out a SVEA 123 imo. If I can get a burner for my Opti 100 I'd have a lone lipstick stove in top 5. I haven't warmed up to my Trangia 25, META 50, Opti 77a or Snuskburken yet. By next year those will make it harder still to pick. I've enjoyed this pleasant topic, thx omc
Svea 123, with or without 'R' doesn't matter for me. Radius 21, I also have Optimus 00 and Primus 210 today. They are all good enough for me, but the Radius is my favorite. Optimus 111, I need a ready to light stove for the winter. There are other alternatives, but the 111 has been the easiest to get.
