Recent content by Buadhach

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  1. Buadhach

    Compiling a Viking Handling box for Schools

    steatite bowl oil lamp Hnefatafl board game Dice Thor hammer pendant Stone fragment bearing runes (repro, obviously) Drinking horn Not strictly handling, but a popular activity: use medieval Futhark runes to transliterate names into "Viking writing". I suggest the medieval version...
  2. Buadhach

    Small Ale?

    Small ale used to be made by refermenting the mash from the strong, tasty first brew. This was done in the interests of economy and not having field hands legless during the working day. I even heard of the mash being fermented a third time to make a safe drink for the kids. A more modern...
  3. Buadhach

    What Head Torch???

    Back in the 1960s we had these to rely on for MR night operations. Over time the inspired 'jack plug' made of tin and mica would either fall apart or just drop off the wire. The head torch wired to a 4.5v bell battery weighed a lot but would give a good light pretty much all night. Now you're...
  4. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    That's one beautiful blue flame; the 96 was once advertised as a pocket stove. It'd have to be a poacher's pocket! I'm lusting after a 96 sized Manaslu. The tank is the same size as a 96's but the burner is patterned after a '00, beautiful thing but the Japanese manufacturers can't keep up with...
  5. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    Very nice, JohnC, very nice. Looks like a Primus 210 and judging by the lack of erosion on the tips of the pot stands it ain't seen all that much use but a lovely patina. I'm hoping mine will go that way in a year or two, now I've removed all the crud! That thing is a piece of living history...
  6. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    A 99? Oh very nice, precursor to the 8R I think. Probably collectible, I'd'a thought, but much better fizzing away...
  7. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    Well, one pic anyway. Congrats on the avatar, crosslandkelly, nice celtic knot. :)
  8. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    I understand where you're coming from, polishing wise. I don't think it a great idea to let them get too crusty because a bit of a shine helps reflect the heat and saves the tank getting *too* hot. Speaking of being stormbound in a tent, you've never lived until you've been forced to light an...
  9. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    Yes, with slightly rusty tin, spanner, pricker but unfortunately no original tinplate meths bottle. I can't complain for the all-up price. :-)
  10. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    OK, not much of a pic but then I'd forgotten how frustrating it is to snap shiny things!:) I put a Tatonka alky burner next to it for scale. I have a non collapsible silent burner Primus model 5 as well. -As used by my grandmother on her remote hill farm during summer, in absence of mains...
  11. Buadhach

    Going retro -Optimus 00 stove.

    I recently scored a venerable Optimus 00 paraffin stove for £18 on ebay, spent £5 on a washer kit and an enjoyable couple of hours fettling it and polishing the brass tank up to its as-new 1960s glory. That thing is beautiful, eye-catching, tactile and somehow reassuring. I put paraffin in...
  12. Buadhach

    pathfinder alcohol stove

    I was just browsing when I came across this (oldish) thread. I only recently became aware of the Pathfinder alcohol stove and having watched a Youtube video, it struck me that the 120ml Tatonka alky stove was sized between the Trangia burner and the Pathfinder. The Pathfinder runs at around £30...
  13. Buadhach

    Rothco Flexipack shoulderbag sizing wrong.

    I've seen Rothco Flexipack shoulderbags advertised in a few places. Always at 12"x6"x4", perfect for a Crusader set and a bit of day trip kit. But they measure 9.25"x6"x4". At least the one I got from a well known supplier measured 9.25"x6"x4", which wasn't perfect for that job. Nice little...
  14. Buadhach

    Dutch army stainless steel mess kit set

    Hi folks, My pair of nesting mess tins came yesterday. I'd been looking for these for a while with no luck so was pleased when I saw this web page:- http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/stainless-steel-mess-tins-genuine-363012.html The ones I got came quickly and were exactly as described...