To my mind, there doesn't appear to be any logic to the numbers that stoves have as names, i.e Primus 210, 96, Optimus 45 etc. so, might it be the case that the Trapper 81 actually appeared in 1981? Just a thought.
They did ! In 1976 I sold a few of the silver ones. Well made, but I recall that customers found them very hot to sleep in due to the reflective silver coating.
Hey, Spudz, Sounds reasonable, and maybe you're right. I'll have to check my Optimus catalogs and see if that sheds any light on the matter. I'll get back to you, if any further info is forthcoming. Good thought, though! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
and i suppose now you are going to tell everyone where they can see the other pictures 'ey? That is a pay by picture site you know. lance
Hey, Spudz, and All, I just checked a 1981 copy of Backpacker Magazine, and there it is! The Trapper is shown in an article about stoves that's contained in that issue. Only a photo, and specs, are listed, and they did not test this new Optimus, unfortunately. I also found the 81 in a 1981 Optimus catalog, too. This catalog is the only one I have that is actually dated. But, the Trapper 81 does not appear in the catalog that I believe immediately preceeded the '81 version. In the earlier catalogs, the 77A is still featured. So, that narrows things down to the time between 1978-1981, and I'll bet that Spudz is right in his assumation that the Trapper made it's debut in 1981, hence the "81" in it's name. Good assumption, Spudzy!! =D> =D> Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hey Doc and Spudz, Great detective work. Now all I have to do is find one. I can only recall seeing a couple of them come up on Ebay in the last year. Given Doc's praise, it must be a real winner. Cheers, Manny
Hey, Manny, The Trapper 81 is a stove that you will either love, or hate, me thinks! For most of those that love the Trangia, the 81 is an upstart stove that will never been in the same class as the Trangia, despite the fact that it will outperform any Trangia I've ever seen, and is capable of a nice and easy simmer, to boot! Some folks have tried them and found them not up to my recommendation. I don't know if they received "dogs", or just never got used to it, but the Trapper 81 is safe, easy to use, reliable, and probably the very best Meths stove for those that would like a little more performance than the Trangia offers. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Trangias, too, though I admit to coming to them late in life!! Ross and Richard, and a host of others, beat the hell out of me, until I used my 25 a bit more and did some actual testing on it. Then, Ross and Tess very generously sent me Tess' old Trangia 27, along with a wonderful Duossal pot set, and that was that, so to speak!!! Love, immediately!! But, my Trappers have taken care of us at very high elevations, in deep snow, blowing winds, and bone-snapping cold temperatures, and I've never really had any problems with them. That kind of reliabiltiy creates a trust that goes beyond mere liking a product!! I think one reason some folks love the Trangias so very much, is for that very same reason, truthfully. But, for me, if I HAD to choose just one Meths stove, it would have to be the Optimus Trapper 81. If you have a choice, when you find one, make sure to get the last model before it was discontinued. The earlier ones did not have a weep hole in the fuel tank, and were prone to leak after the tanks got hot. I once set some grass on fire, by over-filling the 81, and when it warmed up, the liquid Meths spilled out under the stove, and immediately caught the grass on fire!! That caused some increased "pucker factor", I'll guarantee!!!!! With the lastest versions of the Trapper 81, you open the screw on the weep hole, and fill the stove until you "just" see Meths appear in the weep hole. Cap off the hole, and you're good to go, with no leaking, and a veritable ton of Meths cooking at your fingertips!! Simmering is as easy as sliding a lever over to the one side!! Simple, reliable, and wonderful!! If I see one, when I'm out and about, I'll score it for you, and we can "settle up" later! How does that sound? Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc (who used to think he had four Trapper 81 stoves, but for some reason, can only find three of them.......???!!)
Hey Mark, Thanks for putting me on your search list. If anyone can find a stove it's you. No worries if one doesn't show up, I'm learning to be a patient stove hunter. I never thought that alcohol stoves had much appeal, but I was clearly wrong. I guess you can teach a old Manny new tricks. Take care Bro, Manny
Hey, Manny, Glad to do it, IF I can find one for you! You called it right, though: being patient is the name of the game, and good things DO come to those that wait!! 8) I haven't seen an Optimus Trapper 81, "in the wild", for many years. But, I would never say that I'll not ever find another one! I'll keep my eyes peeled, and if one does come my way, old version, or newest version, I'll score it, as long as the price isn't through the roof. The older ones are safe, if you are very careful filling them. But, the newest versions are MUCH better, all the way around. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish Doc
