Optimus Climber SVEA 123R

This stove model debuted in 1955, so it isn't 100 years old, despite what you read on the web.

People like to obsess over gear weight, but do a few ounces more or less really matter? Maybe if you're out for a really long time without resupply, but the average backpacker is more likely doing 3 or 4-day weekend trips, or maybe a full week once in a while. If you're worried about weight, lose some body fat.

One reviewer complained that because this stove has slower boil time it will burn more fuel. This is like saying that if you drive 30 mph instead of 60 mph, the journey will take twice as long, therefore you will use twice as much fuel. The reality is that stoves with quicker boil times put out more heat by burning more fuel in less time. The amount of fuel to boil a quart of water is about the same either way, and is far more greatly affected by weather conditions and how well the stove is screened against wind.

This stove's strong points are simplicity, reliability, and nostalgic charm. It is not a 10k Btu volcano. This does not make it inefficient, it just means you have to wait a few more minutes for the water to boil. You got a train to catch or what?

This is our second Svea. The first one is still going strong after many years and has been trouble free. I use white gas only. Priming is easy with an eye dropper (just use a little gas from the tank).

As advertised runs 50 minutes at full blast. Did a simmer test on a full tank (4.5 ounces, measured). After running 3 minutes full blast, turned to lowest setting that would still produce a blue flame. Ran for 2 hours ( adjusted the flame 3 or 4 times ) and had a little over 2 ounces fuel remaining (measured). Would estimate it would simmer well over 3 hours.

This one spends a lot of time in a horses's saddle bag (inside of an aluminum can from a M1950 stove). The pot supports will adjust to fit oddball cook pots (SWEDISH MESS KITS, CANTEEN CUPS, etc...). No bottles to hook up, no pump to mess with, no o-rings to leak (has one rubber washer in the tank lid).

It just works every time no matter what.

Summary

Simple and almost bullet proof and will SIMMER. Highly recommended.

I have 2 of these stoves.  The first I purchased new from an online retailer in 2011 and discovered after extensive examination of the box that it was made in Taiwan.  I think the price was about $110 plus shipping. 

The second I purchased on eBay recently for considerably less and was a used stove.  It was advertised as a 123 and the box it came it said the same but upon examination, I could see the cleaning needle protruding from the jet when the fuel valve turned fully counterclockwise making it a 123R.  The fuel tank was stamped Sweden and the box said "Made in Sweden".  Both these stoves work great, are very simple to use, and most importantly for me, they will simmer.

I like to use alcohol for priming as it prevents exciting flare ups if over primed.  The down side is that the flames are hard to see in the daylight.

It is not the highest heat stove available (4700 BTU's) but unless all you want to do is boil water, the ability to simmer is very important and the Svea 123 will do just that!.  When you're camping, what's the hurry?  It's also a bit noisy but not objectionable to me.  The built in windscreen's pot supports will accommodate different shapes and sizes of cooking vessels. The base is rather small and not as stable as a stove with legs but it is about the same as a canister stove sitting on top of a fuel canister.  As the heat from the burner pressurizes the fuel tank, it should be insulated from snow or very cold ground when cooking.  It required no pumping, only warming the fuel tank to operate and I do have the pump and cap when it gets very cold.

I highly recommend this stove whether purchased new from an online retailer or on eBay.  I can't think of a more reliable stove for solo or camping with 2 people.

I have another multi fuel stove that is very good and has not failed me. I bought this stove because it looked neat, like something a Sherpa might have in his pack. I sometimes buy things just for the because factor. This was one of those things.

The first time I pulled it out my mates all did the Wow that is neat, does it work? thing. I had test fired the little devil prior to the trip and knew it was a worker. I went thru the pre-ignite ritual, using some fire starter paste and then stuck the match to the starter, it flared a bit and the settled down to a steady flame. After about 40 seconds I turned on the fuel valve and the thing let out a very satisfying roar.

First product was hot water for a cup of tea. It did a fantastic job of boiling the water in record time. It earned the OOHs and AAAhs of those present. I had several offers to purchase, but turned them down.

It is a great little stove, reliable, economical and burns hot, even in the Tetons on a cold winter day or night. It doesn't take up much space and is fairly light weight even with a tankful of fuel.

The stove is brilliant, compact and works every time very well. I have had the stove for several years, though starting it especially for the first timers can be challenging. I collect and use all my stoves, as one would know it's integral part of bushwalking and many national parks are going to stove only policy.

From the time you go into the outdoors to have a hot meal at the end of the day, after hard physical activities and a hot cuppa, adds to the enjoyment and each stove I have, has a special memory of time gone by.

The svea 123 has been the best purchase for bush walking I have ever made. It cooks a meal quickly, minimal parts the can be damaged but never have. Some would say there are better stoves out there, and I know you might save a few more grams in weight or have better flame control, however unsurpassed reliability is the svea and optimus products generally in my opinion. The stove continues to maintain its faithfulness, unlike some women in my life.

I can see I will be handing this to the next generation in another 30-40 years, as I think you would have to pry it from my dying hands.

I've had my 123R since about 1972. I used it for all my climbing and hiking trips until about 1990, when I stopped camping for few years because of kids. In 1996 I pulled it out again and it fired right up, even with old gas. I did finally replace the cap, just because I thought I should.

This stove will never let you down. Easy to start, warm hands, or even a match will pressurize the tank, then prime and you're good to go. Beautiful to look at, simple and functional. I'm surprised it never won a design award. Still available after around a century of use. It isn't a "build a stove" like so many are today. And it simmers well. Plus the noise it makes at full tilt is very comforting, although that might just be me remembering many high camps.

I gave it a 4.5 because it isn't the most stable stove, but aside from that, it is simple the best.

I've used my svea 123 stove several times a year for 38 years, and it has never failed me. All I do is burn it empty at the end of the season, and it fires up every time, the following year. I've never had to service the valve or anything else. As for as I'm concerned, it's the best stove ever.

The only problem is, I'm trying to replace the cookware made for the stove, that nestles together, along with a wind screen. I am unable find a replacement. Sigg use to make aluminum pots, windscreen, and a base made specifically for the svea, but evidently, no longer. If anyone knows a web site, please let me know. Thanks, Dennis Sacramento, CA

The recent post inspired me to add my thoughts.

The SVEA 123R is the most reliable piece of hiking gear I own.

I wanted a single stove for year round use. For me, in New England, that means down to -20 deg F.

There are trade-offs:
- it is heavier than most
- it is nosy
- you need to learn how to prime it
- you need to bring an additional fuel bottle
for longer trips
- you need a gentle hand to make it simmer

When you need a warm drink or a hot meal, you know this stove will light.

This is the only backpacking stove I will ever use.

Old School: A classic from a time gone by and the best damn 19oz of compact brass you can pack if you want a hot meal and don't mind a bit of weight (Brass ain't light) or performing the ritual of the manual prime (You gotta spend some quality time).

This thing is about as bullet proof as you can make a stove and the sound when it is fired up is like a cross between a blowtorch and a helicopter. One moving part, a valve using a graphite packing (bushing) as a valve seal. Not the fastest stove.

Will depart Springer Mtn. GA late Feb '10 for Mt. Katahdin. I purchased this stove in 1981 as an instructor in the "Wilderness Skills" program Vanderbilt Univ. TN. Thankfully, it has served me faithfully the last 25+ years on many hikes and travels.

My last weeklong hike Mar '09 thru Joyce Kilmer Natl forest (with surprise snowdrifts) proved once again - Considering weight, reliability, functionality and value. The svea 123 is without a doubt the best kitchen tool available on any serious hike. Do not use anything else unless you enjoy eating freeze dried food with cold water on occasion...

Jeff

I used to use this stove all the time. Loved it when in full time use. I put it a way for about fifteen years and only recently brought it back out. Dumped the old fuel out and replaced with new, whamo, fired right up and purred like a kitten. What more can one say about a product this wonderful and reliable?

I purchased this stove in 1974...for those folks that don't do math, that was 34 years ago. I can't remember how much I paid for it. I used it for 28 years in the Army including Desert Storm. My Svea isn't nearly as shiny as it use to be, but it still works like new and it has never failed me.

This is one of those products that just will not quit. I bought mine in the mid '80s and just returned from a backpacking trip to Mt. Whitney where the stove preformed as well as it did back then. Nothing has ever gone wrong with this stove.

I painted the original pot that was included with bar-b-que paint when I first purchased it and it is still in great shape. When I first bought it there were alot of "lightweight" stoves just starting to come out and after using it once or twice, I thought it was maybe too heavy, too this, too that, but as time passed, I realized that it is reliable and long-lived because of the weight and simplness of the stove. There is not a bunch of setting-up or unfolding to do in order to get to your fire. I am very impressed by simple design that works well.

I sometimes want to go out just to be able to enjoy this stove. I have tents, boots and backpacks that I enjoy for that same simple design reason. I don't know if they make a product that is this simple and works this well today. Worth finding a used one and paying whatever they want for it.

I loved this stove and it worked pretty well for about 20 years -- very reliable. That is until a recent trip to Yellowstone. A friend had a spare windscreen and I placed it around the 123 and started cooking. After about 30 minutes we heard a loud popping noise and the stove became unstable. Apparently the fuel tank had overpressurized and popped out from the bottom.

Luckily the stove did not explode but is forever ruined, as the bottom will not pop back in. I talked to Optimus about this and they told me I was out of luck. I can only think that it was the windscreen that caused this stove to overheat so I would recommend neve using one with the 123.

They offered me a discount on a new one but honestly it is too heavy compared with other stoves on the market now.

I purchased my 1st SVEA 123 in early 80s. Can't remember the price. It is still going strong. After 25 years of use never failed once; Can't say enough about this stove.

Simple design, reliable, easy to light, clean up, maintenance, in any conditions. Have tried a variety of liquid and canister stoves and always keep coming back the my Svea.

Hard to find these days and the price tag is up to $80, but so are most stoves now. Not sure how long these will be sold, so I recently bought a second for the next 25 years: http://www.packstoves.com/index.htm

Does anybody knows were to purchase the Sigg Tourist set? Mine still works fine, but is getting a bit dinged.

Most of the hikers/climbers I met seem to feel very positive about this piece of equipment.

I bought this stove in 1974 for $50. That was a lot back then. But well worth the price.

I would say this is the most important part of my hiking/pack packing adventures. It not only makes a great cook stove but can warm up and dry out a tent in very short time. I was on a 7-day trip. It rained for three days. I would fire this little wonder up and in no time my tent was dry and warm.

Make sure you have good ventilation when using in your tent. When I got divorced a few years ago, I made sure I took my Svea with me! Had it since I was a kid.

I can't say enough about this stove....what are you waiting for? Go get one or two! They're the best!

The best backpacking stove ever made. I have had mine for more than 25 years. It has never failed me. It's been everywhere in all kinds of conditions and I have always had a hot meal. Trouble free, simple, compact and tough.

It is the only backpacking gear that I have never replaced. I have never replaced any parts or had to do any maintenance to it. It was stored once for a couple of years. I bought it back out and it fired up in seconds, no problems.

I can't imagine going on any trip without it. I would choose this stove again without even thinking twice. It is still available at A & H Packstoves in Tustin, California for $80. You can find them on the web at www.packstoves.com.

Oh, my. It's simple, beautiful, and utterly reliable. Burns almost anything. When's the last time you could call a stove elegant? It's exciting to overprime when lighting it (if you have one you know what I mean--heh heh) and fun to listen to (has a roarer-type burner, and a distinctive one at that). Takes about 1 minute to set up and light. Look around other gear review sites and you'll see that Svea 123s have an almost cult-like following. Get one and it'll still be around 50 years from now for your grandkids.

SVEA 123R Rocks. Mine has been through thick and thin for over 30 years and still starts first time.

Best comment would be hiking the Grand Canyon someone unfamiliar with how the thing starts panicked and thru sand on it to distinguish the flame which it did. Much to everyone's delight we shock it off blew on it rubbed it like a jennies lamp and POOF started first match.

Rain or shine thick or thin SVEA 123's are Awesome.

Simple, brilliant, and now very hard to find!!!! I have had my STOVE for 20 years++ and used it more than I thought it would last!! I still have the replacement kit in the plastic. A little bit of cleaning and care when using. Simply the best stove ever made. If you can find one buy it, you'll never regret it... EVER!!!

I bought this in 1964 for $9.95 and it was expensive then. It has served me well and I bought several others for use for trips that I have guided.

Problem...I can't find a replacement fuel wick. Any suggestions???

Now a discontinued model (but still available if you shop around), this is perhaps the greatest all round stove ever made. They just keep on working, year after year. Go get one while you can.

Simple, cool, classic, and it can simmer like a champ. I use the Snow Peak titanium cup instead of the provided aluminum one, as the Snow Peak one slides right over the stove perfectly.

I have had an Optimus svea 123 with the Sigg Tourist cookkit since 1977. It was a gift. I have NEVER been able to get it to work right. Nor have others. So it may be valuable to someone for parts. Let me know.

Best stove ever made. Period.

This is a good stove and the design has been around for 100 years, but let's face it there are much better choices out there today!

The Good:
- Reliable and Durable. I've had mine 30 years and with minimal maintenance it works just as good as it did when it was new.
- Inexpensive. You can find this stove for under $80 on the net.
- Built in wind screen. Much nicer than the roll up aluminum screens.

The Bad:
- Heavy. Stove is 4-6 ounces heavier than competitors. Not much maybe but those ounces add up fast!
- Slow boil times. Stove took 3:30 to boil one cup of water. That was 75% longer than my MSR. I don't know about you but I don't want to carry 75% more fuel around especially on a multi-day hike! That kicks the stove's weight penalty up to 2 pounds or more for a week long hike.

The Bottom Line:
Great stove if you want a piece of hiking history, but if weight and efficiency mean anything to you then get something else.