Comparison review of ROTHCO (?) USGI cup, cup lid and stand/stove.
I have an original issue version of the cup and stove for direct comparison. So I will note the differences.
The Rothco branded copy is probably typical of a lot of the knock-offs on the market.
Features:
• Compatible with US issue and Nalgene canteens.
• Fits US issue lbe pouches. See below.*
• Minimalist system that will burn fuel tablets, twigs or sit in hot coals.
• The clone stove is the “natik” style copied from WW2 rather than the later one used by the pathfinder versions.
• The clone cup has the wire butterfly handles not the L.
*Mine will stack cup, stand and canteen in an Alice cover. The lid is a bit of a stretch on some pouches due to sewing tolerance. The whole set will go in a molle 1 canteen pouch.
Good bits:
The USGI cup and “natick” stove design has some useful features that the clone doesn’t manage to bugger up. That is simplicity and a degree of flexibility on how you use it.
The stove has scope for modification like cutting notches and adding nails or pegs as a pot rest. The lid could have drain holes punched as a strainer etc.
I got the three components very very cheaply.
No so good bits:
The cup handles do not lock together on the copy as the handle dimensions are slightly off. Shame but not that big a problem.
The lid was a very tight fit. It snapped into place but was difficult to remove.
Doing so with hot liquids wouldn’t be a winner. Easy enough to adjust. Pliers are your friend!
The lid doesn’t fit the issue cup very well and there is a gap on of a few mm on the inside edge.
The stove required shoving on and prising off a few times to get it to fit nicely. The stove is very thin aluminium. It’s much thinner than the original and easily bends by hand. At least you can adjust it!
Getting the parts separately might exacerbate the misalignment issues?
Why I got it and is it worth it?
I have an original set and use a bit of foil for a lid and a cosmetic tin to hold fuel when burning that. I have several USGI Canteens
so I decided to get a back up cup and stand. It’s not an a problem to carry and/or leave in the car break down bag.
Functionally it works as well as the issue set, just not as nice a feel. If I didn’t have an original I doubt I would notice.
I’ve used the copy regularly for a couple of years and I haven’t broken it.
I still use the copy for day hikes or car trips as I wouldn’t be upset if I left somewhere by mistake. I’m sure it would find a user.
A few thoughts if you are after a canteen cup system
Budget allowing the pathfinder and similar steel copies would be a better option.
If you can find one at a decent price the issue set is a bit nicer too. Overseas shipping costs being what they are.
Overall the crusader system is a little bit more of a complete cooking package but is bulkier in most versions.
The Rothco clone would be the last on the list but it is useable.
I have an original issue version of the cup and stove for direct comparison. So I will note the differences.
The Rothco branded copy is probably typical of a lot of the knock-offs on the market.
Features:
• Compatible with US issue and Nalgene canteens.
• Fits US issue lbe pouches. See below.*
• Minimalist system that will burn fuel tablets, twigs or sit in hot coals.
• The clone stove is the “natik” style copied from WW2 rather than the later one used by the pathfinder versions.
• The clone cup has the wire butterfly handles not the L.
*Mine will stack cup, stand and canteen in an Alice cover. The lid is a bit of a stretch on some pouches due to sewing tolerance. The whole set will go in a molle 1 canteen pouch.
Good bits:
The USGI cup and “natick” stove design has some useful features that the clone doesn’t manage to bugger up. That is simplicity and a degree of flexibility on how you use it.
The stove has scope for modification like cutting notches and adding nails or pegs as a pot rest. The lid could have drain holes punched as a strainer etc.
I got the three components very very cheaply.
No so good bits:
The cup handles do not lock together on the copy as the handle dimensions are slightly off. Shame but not that big a problem.
The lid was a very tight fit. It snapped into place but was difficult to remove.
Doing so with hot liquids wouldn’t be a winner. Easy enough to adjust. Pliers are your friend!
The lid doesn’t fit the issue cup very well and there is a gap on of a few mm on the inside edge.
The stove required shoving on and prising off a few times to get it to fit nicely. The stove is very thin aluminium. It’s much thinner than the original and easily bends by hand. At least you can adjust it!
Getting the parts separately might exacerbate the misalignment issues?
Why I got it and is it worth it?
I have an original set and use a bit of foil for a lid and a cosmetic tin to hold fuel when burning that. I have several USGI Canteens
so I decided to get a back up cup and stand. It’s not an a problem to carry and/or leave in the car break down bag.Functionally it works as well as the issue set, just not as nice a feel. If I didn’t have an original I doubt I would notice.
I’ve used the copy regularly for a couple of years and I haven’t broken it.
I still use the copy for day hikes or car trips as I wouldn’t be upset if I left somewhere by mistake. I’m sure it would find a user.
A few thoughts if you are after a canteen cup system
Budget allowing the pathfinder and similar steel copies would be a better option.
If you can find one at a decent price the issue set is a bit nicer too. Overseas shipping costs being what they are.
Overall the crusader system is a little bit more of a complete cooking package but is bulkier in most versions.
The Rothco clone would be the last on the list but it is useable.
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