For what can only be described as sentimentality for a good Australian product, I recently bought this single, stand alone, silent burner Handi Stovette from a very good, honest Australian dealer. It had been refurbished by him, but had been little used. Before you ask: it has been restored by the seller and will remain a shelf queen - I have a bunch of "Companion" stoves of a similar design, so I don't need to use it. I'd rather keep it as an historical example of Australian kerosene stove manufacture. Here it is with few words. But one thing to note is the tank is soldered copper - not brass. Cheers Tony PS @Doc Mark
Hi Tony, that looks like a very good workmanlike stove. It is beautifully presented. Best Regards, Kerophile.
@kerophile This style of stove (Svea; Companion) are reasonably common in Australia. Finding a Handi is not easy. The good thing about them is they are easily put in a box and set up for cooking for a group of people: a solid cooking frame that takes big pots; and a basic Primus-style stove that's easily looked after. I have a few (not Handi) that I lend out to people working in the field. Cheers Tony
@Tony Press you have the beginnings of a Handimuseum. Now all you need is a restaurant to display them in. Ben
What a nice design! A very sturdy frame and quite economical to manufacture. Interesting that it has a copper fount.
Albert White (Handi-Albert) bought the Handi company to try and preserve its history. The Handi Virtual Museum is here. However, the museum site has not been updated for years and Albert has not been seen on CPL or CCS also for years. @Tony Press Here is an interesting post by Albert.
@Tony Press , Tony, That is one gem of a stove, my friend!! Hearty congratulations on scoring this lovely example from Australia!! It's a kissing cousin to my own Handi-Stovette, and a fantastic stove it is! Did you get the original green metal case for yours, too? That would be a wonderful addition to what is already a fantastically wonderful stove find on your part!!! I've only fired my own up a few times, and though I'd love to use it more, keep from doing so. It looks so lovely, as does yours, that I am very reluctant to turn it into a user, especially when I have to many other fun user stoves to enjoy. Just looking at your stove is a delight to my eyes, and to others, as well, not the least of which is YOU!! Very well done, my friend, and thanks for sharing your sweet Handi Stovette with us!! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Mark (Your Handi Stovette Brother!) P.S. I have had intermittent contact with Albert White over the years, and really should send him an email, to see how he is doing, and make sure that life is good for him.
They are good stoves. They are reasonably straightforward to get going, if you know what you’re doing. If you want a valuation place it in the “Valuations” forum, but it’s pretty hard to put a value in Aussie stoves except the common ones like Companion. Cheers Tony
Tony, your stove is fantastic! Sturdy, practical, functional, and as a result, quite sharp looking. If ever there was a stove which represented Australian traits, that's the one that does it in my mind.