Long way from Sparks to North Carolina snwcmpr. I'm in Reno, not so distant from Sac but I seldom get back there. Tend to stay away from California. Have collected a number of Svea 123 over the years and I find little difference in performance between the ringed and unringed versions. Sometimes I get the idea that the rings allow for a quicker preheat and more rapid cool down but may just be my imagination. I don't get out on the trail as much as I used too but the 123 is with me when I do. I just keep saying "good morning sunrise" and hope for another chance to grab my pack and go. Charlie
I found the best of them is the early Sievert version with the pin. I have a Swiss Army knife I bought at Mark, Fore, and Strike after the Navy.
From what is in this, and other posts I have deduced that I have an Optimus SVEA 123, in a Sievert red and black box, with 71 stamped on the top. The vapouriser has the rings, small key and twisted chain, so I assume this one is an example of the last run before they were packaged in Optimus boxes?
