What a pain. Fellas I struggled for years with camp illumination. Somehow the Coleman guys forgot how to make naphtha gas lanterns. My father in law had one with two mantles made in the 60s that worked like a charm. I bought three modern ones and none were anywhere near reliable. In a fit of rage I threw them all out 20 years ago. I tried these things and they were a frickin pain too.
The best solution I ever found were those Dietz kerosene lanterns with the fragile glass globes. I still have an old blue one down in my plunder somewhere. I laughed like hell when Shaun Kelly - the might bush crafting outdoorsman on Corporal’s Corner started using them too.
I think I’d prolly throw that knife away too.
That DIETZ is the same design as a few I still have from my grandfather, circa 1910.
ReplyDeleteBetter light can be had from an Alladin. Basically the same idea, but a circular wick feeding a catalyst. Very clean, very bright. The catalyst is fragile though as it is ash.
The old coleman mantles were the same catalyst. You can find the mantles in a store using a radiation detector, as they contain thorium. They're a cloth like material, which must be burned to ash to perform as a catalyst, converting most of the energy to visible spectrum. When you touch the ash is blows away. DON'T BREATH THE ASH, as it's still got thorium in it.
https://aladdinlamps.com/shelf-lamps/
ReplyDeleteHave to agree that simple kerosene has a lot ot recommend it. For me, its a sound issue - that dull monotone pressure fuel burning gets on my nerves. When I'm outside in Nature, I want to hear what is going on, not that fuel burning sound.
ReplyDeleteI usually rely more on flashlights than liquid fuel. I don't need a constant light source that attracts all the insects to it (and south Texas has a LOT of them). A pocket light and I'm good to go. Also doesn't mess with my night vision, which is also very important.
Coleman white gas lanterns are fine for group camps.
DeleteThey throw enough light for area illumination and can be placed so as to keep bugs away from campers. (I have seen bats taking advantage of this.)
The bright light can also attract unwanted two-legged vermin.
So be careful out there...
Excellent point about night vision. At a party, lots of light is fun, but if you're trying to stay aware of your surroundings, when you're alone or with an intimate other, just adapting to the dark is best, and you'll appreciate the silence for the same reason.
DeleteI grew up with Coleman’s so I never minded the sound. I associate that sound with good times and good people I suppose. It’s a nostalgia thing for me. Electrics would be better but I am loathe to use them…
DeleteAnyone know what model lantern is behind the stubby knife?
ReplyDeleteIf I am car camping, I take Coleman lanterns along with plenty of fuel and extra mantles. For backpacking, I have taken a small kerosene lantern with extra fuel mixed with Citronelle. I almost always carry these Citronella Oil scented tea candles (each one burns about four hours). Use them inside a tent or tarp shelter for light and insect repellant. Of course battery powered LED lights have come a long way and are very handy and do not produce any noticeable heat.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.amazon.com/50-Citronella-Tealight-Candles-Repellent/dp/B01IC3LK6Y/ref=asc_df_B01IC3LK6Y?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80539278509586&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584138857628204&th=1
I'm a big fan of the old Coleman "white gas" lanterns. They burn all night on one tank of fuel; great for catfishing outings. I've got several of the things, harkening from a few years old to things made back in the 50's, all still working. These pop up at yard sales all the time for PENNIES. I even found a military-issue Coleman from 1959... never used... still in its original box with the instrux and extra mantles... $12.00... I have several kerosene "hurricane lamps" as well, but only one of the old Deitz lamps. Anyone planning on using the kerosene lamps offered out there these days should try them ahead of time. These things are made in the bad side of China. The tanks very often leak anywhere there are welds; useless as tits on a bull...
ReplyDeleteYou should stock up on those white gas mantles, you're not going to be making them, and they are fragile.
DeleteYeah, that’s too bad about the Dietz lanterns. The last time I bought one was 10 years ago and they weren’t that bad…
DeleteIf you want a relative child's opinion about gas mantle lanterns, check out "technology Connections" on youtube from 2 Aug 2021.
ReplyDeleteI get paid over 85 dollars per hour working from home with 2 kids at home. I never thought I'd be able to do it but my best friend earns over 10,000 dollars a month doing this and she convinced me to try. The potential with this is endless.
ReplyDeleteHere's what I've been doing... http://www.salarycash1.com
I'm a big fan of the Dietz hurricane lamps. The glass is definitely a bit weak, but I like the burn and light I get using tiki torch citronella oil in them for my yard. Helps keep the bugs down and there isn't that annoying sound you get with coleman lanterns.
ReplyDelete