So after one of my cheaper 500cp mantles developed a crack in the shape of a smile, I thought it worth trying out a genuine 350cp Optimus mantle I bought from the Base Camp. It was a joy to fit, being substantial and with nice strong string. Nice light too. The light given off is comparable to a Tilley 246 or Vapalux. The mantle size after lighting is comparable to that of the Tilley and appears quite robust. I don't know if they contain thorium or not. I also don't know if this is the same mantle as the 4a and if it is of a more modern manufacture.
It looks to be working well. You are correct there. The old numbering is used in a catalogue from 1972 but the new numbering is used in 1974. Obviously they changed around that time. I have always liked the original Optimus mantles and use them on lamps that I want to use properly.
Me neither but I follow Nils appreciation of these. I use almost exclusively these mantles, especially that there is lots of them cheap here. But for thorium - has anybody checked how radioactive such mantle is? I know that we should be careful when disposing broken mantle - breathing such dust is not good. But while they sit on lantern - any real danger here? I’ve missed service guys checking our tomography machine to ask them for radiation check on unused mantle. Next chance comes next year. Does anyone have a clue what we are exposing us for with these old mantles?
