Is anybody out there still using the SVEA 123 white gas stove? If so, how do you like it?
Amoskeag
SVEA 123 - Appalachian Trail
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#2
I have a couple friends who have the “123” and they love it I asked if they would sell it to me and was told if I was nice they might leave to me in their will so I guess that’s about a good a testimony as you can get.
Al
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#3
I bought one in 1973 on the strength of Colin Fletcher’s sentimental attachment to his in his book, The Compleat Walker. It has never failed in 35 years and has been on backpacking trips in Shenadoah NP, Estes NP and the Tetons not to mention a grand canoe trip down the Allagash river in Maine and many, many lesser trips. Obviously a sentimental favorite here too.
However, for a thru hike of the AT, which I’ve not done, in order to cut a couple of pounds, I’d lean more towards a pepsi alcohol stove, windscreen and plastic soda bottle to carry the alcohol.
David Hahn
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#4
I bought my 123 in 1978. Used it twice a day, year-round, for eleven months in '80 - '81. Used it for all trips up to about 3 years ago when I started using a Pepsi can alcohol stove for three season. I still use the 123 for winter. It has NEVER failed to cook my dinner, even down to 12* below. It might take two primings, and needs some insulation between ground and the tank (4" square of blue foam pad works for me) in these extreme conditions, but it always cooks my dinner and makes my coffee. I have never done a lick of maintenance to it other than replace the safety valve cap a couple of times just as a precaution. It has never mal-functioned.
Overall, an AMAZING little stove. But as David said above, a home-made alcohol stove is substantially lighter and more compact for three-season use.
Lyle
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#5
Bought my 123 SVEA in 1973,never had a problem with it.Probable one of the best stoves ever made.It’s like a blow torch,got the job done.How ever,I now go as light as possible,I use a Brass Light stove or Pepsi stove.That said,I would never part with my SVEA.It sits on my fireplace mantel,a veteran of thousand of miles of Backpacking in the Whites,Adirondacks,Long Trail,AT.My advice ? buy one, try it,you will love it.
old&intheway
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#6
I hiked the AT in 1973 using an Ontimus 8R. Yes, the one in the six by six metal case. The woman I hiked with use a Svea 123. We often had to pre-heat them on cold mornings but once they started water boiled in a minute. After the pressure release valve blew on my 8R turning it into a mini flame thrower, I also switched to the Svea. As all the other users say, I’d never part with it. For a low milage, two or three day winter hike it can’t be beat. Simple to operate and not much heavier than a pocket rocket with a full canister. Our only problem was, Coleman fuel only came in Gallon cans back then. No one sold fuel by the ounce like today and we often lugged the whole gallon to the next shelter and left what didn’t fit in our fuel bottles and stoves for other hikers.
CitySlicker
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#7
After the pressure release valve blew on my 8R turning it into a mini flame thrower…
LOL! Happened to me as well. 2’ long stream of fire. Practically took my eyebrows off. You can’t buy fun and excitement like that!
Banks
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#8
Names withheld to protect the guilty (wasn’t me!)
Picture this:
Young man fueling his white gas stove.
Young man fails to re-cap fuel bottle.
Young man assembles stove and primes the same.
Young man starts a grass fire.
Young man has the presence of mind to pick up the open fuel bottle.
Young man attempts to stamp out grass fire.
Young man splashes more fuel from the bottle onto the fire with every stomp of his boot.
Young man ignores or doesn’t comprehend shouts from fellow hikers.
Young man must be restrained to avoid a total inferno.
Was totally funny even then, was that nervous laughter? :eek:
Lyle
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#9
Sorry, lost the formatting, but you get the picture. Also, I didn’t mean to add the angry emoticon.
Lyle