Basecamp at long last has Manaslus back in stock. I bought a 96 this morning; a stove I've been wanting for some time, and the first brass keroburner I've bought in several years now. Should be here in a week or so. Not cheap, but in the range previously discussed here a few months back. I look forward to using it-- the concept of a half-pinter with a standard burner has a lot of appeal to me as a hiking stove, unlike the classic 96s.
Congrats Ed, a sound purchase. I agree, used in the 'real' outdoors as opposed to on the test bench a lipstick burner can be temperamental to prime and has markedly less output than a standard roarer burner - bound to, the 0.23mm lipstick jet outlet area is nearly half of that of a 0.32mm jet. John
I've kept certain stoves pristine, but they have fallen into the category of old-unused. This one is a brand-new, lately manufactured stove. And I will be using it for sure, because I want to handle a half-pint brass classic in the backcountry. I've never used a standard 96 on the trail, other than on a couple of day hikes years ago; I don't consider them a hiking stove, not only for the reasons Presscall mentions, but because they have so many loose parts. They are nifty, to be sure, and I own several, but they have a "toylike" quality to them..... The Manaslu 96 is, except for the smaller tank size, just like the one-pinters, which are genuine hiking stoves, which I use often.
I have fancied a Manaslu 96 for a long time @Ed Winskill, you could always get CREATIVE and build a similar one as I did (because Manaslu 96s were unavailable for a while) But seriously, I do like this combination lots. Since making mine last year it has become a firm favourite user Purchase coming up...... Alec.
The wife conceded and ordered a #96 for Father's Day. Now the wait begins! She was warned it would be an approximately 20 day transit. Of course, when you have a new stove coming you have to go play with the ones you already have to calm yourself down a bit. So, I drug out the Optimus 00 last night and made chicken tikka masala in the shop. The Manaslu will have to be a damned fine stove if it's going to rival the Optimus for my affections, but I don't mind having a little affair on the side to spice things up a bit. Anxiously Waiting, Ridge
The Manaslu 96 arrived today from Base Camp, safe and sound. It was very well packed, which was good, because the postal services, Royal, U.S., or both, gave the package "heavy use"! What a gleaming beauty it is; and I really, really like this unique design: a brass classic that combines the tank of a 96 with the utility of a 00/210-type burner. Splendid! Lightweight, cool zip bag... And there is something deeply satisfying to an old stovie to have such a classic not just "NOS", but actually newly manufactured! Great product, and great service, from Base Camp. Thanks, Mike! Photos will follow in due course.
Good Evening, Brother Ed! I know you've wanted one of these wonderful stoves for a very long time! Hearty congratulations on finally scoring one!! I fired up mine at the last CASG and thought it was a fantastically manufactured stove, which reflects the Japanese reputation for quality!! I hope you like yours as well as I like mine, and I'm quite sure that you will do just that!! Have fun, and I look forward to seeing it in action on one of your family outings! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Mark
Good Deal! Now pack it out there and post a trip report! Ridge (who is still anxiously waiting for his own and extremely jealous)
Now, I have a question about the Manaslu 96. I just assembled the stove tonight (I merely admired the components previously), but have not yet fueled or lit it. It has one small imperfection, not related to the basic quality: there is play in the pot stand legs; i.e., the fit is not tightly snug; leaving a bit of a wiggle in the pot supports when the stove is assembled. Have other owners found this? I'm pondering a solution, I haven't encountered this in a stove before. Slightly compress the sleaves on the stove itself? (Hate to try this.) Wrap something on the base of the pot stand legs such as a turn of tape? Seems kind of jury rigged....any ideas?
Hi Ed, Go somewhere that sells heat and air supplies and get yourself a roll of aluminum tape and put a wrap on the legs. I'd definitely leave the sleeves on the stove alone; that could permanently mar something that you'd have to look at from now on. Let's wait until I get mine in and see if it's in the same shape. That way you can let me be the guinea pig. Regards, Ridge
Good idea about the alu tape. No, I wasn't going to mess with the sleeves, I agree with you. I think I'll wait, as you suggest, because I don't have a backpack trip planned right now; it'll probably be at least three weeks.
Mine is just the same. When I was comparing it to the swede, I find about the same play in some of them, I do not remember which ones. I do not think about it when using the stove, and then it is forgotten.
Hey Ed, got mine in the mail today! Beautiful stove with wobbly legs. I put a full kettle of water on it and it seems sturdy enough that if the aluminum tape doesn't work I'll probably just leave it be. Didn't Doc get one of these recently? How were his supports? Have you fired yours up yet? I'm curious if you've had to clean the burner; seems I've read somewhere folks were complaining about excess flux clogging the jet, but I can't remember what was used to actually get it out. Maybe I'll break down and do a proper search. Thanks, Ridge
Don't recall Doc mentioning it but I haven't looked back; I'm sure he'll chime in when he has a chance. I haven't lit mine yet; I expect to do that shortly before I take it on the trail. The "wobble" I'm sure doesn't affect stability under load, but I intend on fixing it. The stove is a real jewel, of highest-quality fit and finish. I am only mildly nonplussed that this very high standard does not extend to a snug fit of the pot stand legs. My guess is that a turn of tape will do it. I'll try that, and assuming it works, get some aluminum tape for an "invisible" fix. Clearly it's a very correctable issue.
