Options for the Svea 123 stove?

C

collecter

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Aug 21, 2002
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Does anyone know if there are lower price versions of the Svea 123 stove out there?

Thanks,
 
Years ago a backpacking mentor told me, “Some people swear by their stoves. Some people swear at their stoves. I swear by the Svea 123.” So I bought one and never looked back.

I don’t know why you’d want to fool around with an imitation.
 
I have the svea 123 ,optimus 8r, 99 and a 111 hiker all are good stoves but, I like the
8r better don't buy a copy
Roy
 
That style stove has been made by a bunch of makers. Even Svea made different versions that had the same guts. I think my fave is the one in the flat box where the top is a square pan instead of the 123's round one as it's way more stable when you've got a pot on it. I'll try to go through my collection of stoves and get a few model numbers for you so you can find one or two someplace like ebay. JMO but I would not even consider a new 123 @ $100 when there are much handier stoves that are multi fuel for the same money. It's a classic but I think it only sells because it looks classic. There are a couple by Sigg that I would take over a 123 any day and they are evry bit as good as the 123 if not better.
 
Keep an eye on Ebay - I picked up a used 123a for about $30 - it was a little rough cosmetically, but fired right up & works great.
 
Are there other models that function similar to it but don't cost as much?

I don't have $100 to spend on a camping stove that's why I'm asking.
 
Look on ebay for the Svea 123R or the Optimus 8R. Both are good stoves and function essentially the same. The 8R is in flat square box form, while the 123R is the cylindrical form. I got a fully functional 123R from ebay a few years ago for about $25, you can get a deal if you are patient. Some of the 8R stoves don't go for much because the steel case is showing some rust, but the stove itself is still fine.
 
Collector, Let me check to see if I have an extra of something I can make you a deal on. The 8R has a hinged lid, I think, and there is yet another model where the lid pops off to use as a pan. I think it's grey. There are also a bunch of models that are the guts of a 123 but are in some sort of tall square box that looks a little like a cookie tin so that the lower portion becomes a pot or has a door and acts as a wind break. I'd recommend a kerosene/paraffin stove and they make them that are the same size as a 123 but I have no idea what else you might be carrying that requires white gas, like a lantern.
 
Ebay item 200561077162 fake 8R but should sell cheap.

The stove I referred to earlier is the 99 that plumberroy mentioned above. It's much lighter than a 8R. I'm also going to stop recommending a kerosene stove not that I see what they are selling for. Yikes!
 
I have a Phoenix brand that looks like the 8R, has worked flawlessly for (lord!) 35 years or more. Virtually identical. Still like the 123 more though...maybe not much different function, but always brings a smile when I take it out for use.

eBay, Craig's list, etc....they are out there.

Good luck.
 
is there a specific reason why you are looking at this type of stove?
what's your budget on the stove?

I recently picked up a primus eta express which i am liking very much... but it's also on the 100 dollar range... however, this stove is 14.6 oz (no fuel included) including the pot... where the svea 123r is 18oz (which has a little cup)...

you can always go lighter with a alcohol stove... you can even make it yourself and it's way cheaper...

but then again, why are you interested in this stove?
 
At one time I had 30 some back pack stoves I sold a few and gave some to youngin's just getting into camping . I have now the optimus stoves listed above svea 123, 8r,99, 111 hiker, a small coleman that will burn kerosene by changing the generator, A coleman propane that the cylinder sets to the side msr dragonfly, and pocket rocket, one of the little folding wood stoves, a brasslite I have a sterno stove kit from the 50's that will cook and a trangia 27 and a trangia hotplate
If I'm out woods roamin' and just need tea or to heat lunch the pocket rocket goes .. Camping I use the tragia 27 or the 8r the most
Those surplus swedish stoves are hard to beat if your on a tight budget
Roy
 
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