Though uncommon in the Ottawa area, I bought a clean 30-year old Svea at a flea market, and discovered, that afternoon at home, it fired up and roared away, even on cruddy year-old gas. And roar it did, that little Swedish brass can, with that odd vibrato jet engine sound, alerting people in the next province that I was boiling my beans. Having used oven-weight Colemans, and the TEDIOUS MSR wisper-volcano, (unfolding its sooty burner and 2!! windscreens, installing the plastic pump bits in the fuel bottle, the Svea can get a pot of water boiling in less time. Weighing only 18 ounces, and being so tiny, it's the perfect pack stove.

Customer Service

I called the Canadian Optimus distributor, as I assumed it may need a graphite bushing in the control valve, or a tank seal, I was told I could get any part I needed in only a few days! Not bad for an antique pack stove.

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I've used a myriad of other outdoor cooking apparatus, and, despite not having used the Svea too long, I am quite impressed with the its ease of use and tiny size.

I purchased my stove in 1969 and have used it at least 5 times a year ever since Many of my freinds have got the new types of stoves over the years and in ever case the ""old blow torch "" out preforms them all. To light this stove you simply burn a small piece of paper under the fuel tank. I wish all my climbing -hiking gear was this good and lasted so long.

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Practaiiy all major brands

A classic piece of equipment that does everthing it needs to and lasts forever, works reliably and packs conveniently. It's actually quite easy to use. If you think otherwise - well, you can always stay home and use the microwave. I've had mine quite a while (it sold for about 14.95 new). It seems a little pricey now (at about $66 mailorder) although not in relation to other similar products. The accessory mini pump works fine although I have found an eydropper to be a simpler and more useful tool for getting the stove primed.

Customer Service

Haven't needed any.

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None

I bought a used 123 stove 11 years ago & am completely happy with it. It simmers easily, boils water quickly, is a miser when it comes to fuel comsumption, and has yet to need any maintenance other than cleaning the jet. The MSR cookware designed for the 123 makes it very stable and compact to pack. I use an old 5""x5"" square of ensolite to insulate the stove from the cold ground and to provide a more stable base on uneven terrain, which works well.

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None

The Svea 123 I purchased in 1985 has never let me down. I hike from sea level to 9000 ft and it has never faile to perform when and where I have wanted it. In rain, snow, heat, and wind the stove has always performed for me whiloe asking little in return. I feel the simple design is an asset since there is almost nothing to break or leak. Maintence is a snap. While some users may find the re-fueling process messy and dangerous, I feel it helps me maintain a respect and caution for the technology. While it may seem an archaic design to many, it is a simple, safe and reliable stove. Over the past four years we have begun using the 123 in when canoeing and have found it as handy along the water as along the trail. I heartily recommend this stove to anyone in need of a reliable stove.

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I have and occasionally use a coleman peak one. While it is a good stove I prefer my Svea due to its size, weight, and ease of use.

I found this stove in my parents garage. It had a small leak in the cap. I replaced some rubber and have been using the stove for ten years solid. Of all the other stoves I have seen, mine is the only one which doesn't have a tale of breaking down on a trip.
This is the best stove I have ever seen. It is simple and just purely reliable. It may not be the hottest, but it can cook thinks on it without burning them. I like lots of the stoves out there, but I hope I never have to replace my Svea 123. I'll still be using the stove for another 10 or 20 years for sure.

I don't know how much it cost originally, but whatever it was, it was worth it.

(I also found out my dad had used it for 12 years before he stopped camping.)

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MSR wisperlite, coleman 400, peak 1 apex 2.

I also bought one of these clasic stoves in the late 60's. I lost the first one to a friend who never brought it back. My second one is still going strong. Every other piece of gear I owned from the 60's or 70's is now trashed. This bad boy keeps on burning.

There is one other stove I like, and only one. It is the MSR XGK. The product manager of MSR says they paterened the bell housing of the XGK after the Svea 123. No wonder I like the XGK.

One suggestion for priming the 123. I carry one of those red coffee sticks from McDonalds with the stove. I use it for a small syphone to prime the bell.

One interesting fact about the Svea. The boil times are slow, about twice the MSR xgk. But the fule consumption is half as well. So boil per oz of fuel is the same ans the XGK. What this means is that if you want to try your hand at cooking somthing other than water, the 123 is a better running temputure.

But, if you are melting snow on Mt. Ranier, go with the power house MSR XGK. Most pro guides around here use the XGK for these mountian trips.

I now go out with a boy scout troop. They have all types of new stoves. Half of them did not fire up at the last two icey outings. But the Svea 123 made hot coco for the group even though I was sitting on 3 feet of snow.

The next trip, the MSR XGK fired up and roared when the coleman peaks were acking up, and the temp was so cold the propane types wimpered.

Go with a clasic, both of these stoves have been to everest, and for good reason.

Nothing beats the looks of that brass on the 123!

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The msr xgk is just as reliable, and burns twice as hot. It does not look as cool.

Last year I wanted to get a new stove. The two I had are garage sale purchased Coleman 400's. I looked at the MSR's and the isobutane cartridge stuff but liked the little Svea gem. It was like buying an antique with the brass construction. I love it. It is amazing that it is now seeing its third century and holding its own against more modern stoves like the MSR's etc. Other stoves may have plus features but the main one this has is "SIMPLICITY". If the other people I have seen reviewing this stove are accurate my grandchildren will be using my stove someday. Between this and my Sierra Zip stove I don't know if I will go to a more modern stove.

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Reliable, Portable, Foolproof. Always a performer.

I have owned my Svea 123R for 25+ years. It's been to many,many places and was my reliable companion in my Big-Wall rock climbing years. It will go down the Grand Canyon in 3 weeks and I have many more planned outings on which I am sure it will go.

It has one of the most reliable pieces of equipment I have ever purchased. I wore out two of the accessory pumps, yet my Svea continues to work flawlessly. It's unmistakeable sound will alert you to a Svea owner.

I have no plans of replacing it and will probably end up giving it to one of my sons.

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MSR International, GAZ, Coleman, Primus

No pumping, no plastic, simple priming, adjustable flame, self-cleaner, maybe ONE moving part - a gorgeous, dependable stove. Some folks don't like the "roarer" burner - I love it! That's cookin'!

I like the simplicity of the iso/bu powerhouses, but couldn't bring myself to shell out megabucks for non-recyclable fuel canisters - and then you've gotta pack the little suckers out.

Big time tradition and BEAUTIFUL! Not the hottest (but plenty hot enough - I'm cooking, not smelting) or the quickest (hey, relax and savor the woods!), but definitely the most dependable ... AND the coolest, by far. My great-grandkids will be using my Svea!

Customer Service

Had a question, e-mailed Optimus in Sweden, had an answer - personalized, with good wishes - the next day.

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MSR Whisperlite (must have had a bad one - what a bear!)

Camping Gaz Turbo