Chinese mantles on a Coleman 285 (#21 alternative)

If you're looking for currently produced thoriated ones, I think there wouldn't be much of a choice except Asia.

 

I have been using Peerless Yttrium coated mantles that are made in India. Other recent peeless mantles say made in the Phillipines. I have not yst had a chance to compare than back to back.

 

Some yttrium-based ones perform pretty well and do not necessarily produce much of the dingy yellow hue we most often hear about these. I believe newer formulations of the salt mixtures somehow altered the colours without the use of thorium nitrate. One good example is the double tie mantle for Coleman dual-fuel Northstar lantern.
To my awareness, the original Peerless Philippines is no longer in operations(for quite awhile). I may not be correct since I've not been following up on them. Not too sure about Petromax mantles but I've read some good reviews on the 'Superior Quality' ones.
Anything that could produce light with a colour temperature closest to that of daylight/sunlight is generally seen as the ideal working light. Some may not like the 'white glare' light of thoriated mantles.
In my opinion, I'd say do try to use whatever's currently produced.
The older 'legacy' ones will be gone forever once they're used up. Keep them.

 

For my lanterns, I have always used whatever I have found so far. They are all made in China. They are spring loaded instead of tie tring. They have installed a push fit wire on top of the mantle and is very very easy to hang them up. I'm using my kerosene lantern for years and still the mantle goes strong. The only thing I pay attention is not to touch the mantle with a lighter nor place the lantern brutally on something. I have even cleaned the generator one time without damaging the already placed mantle. As a consequence, they are not that brittle. They are damn cheap, I have bought lots of 12 and they are my guarantee until the end of my uses (takig into consideration their long lifetime).
I kindly suggest to buy wherever you find these (Butterfly brand I guess) and pay attention that they are installed with a wire spring not by a tie string. Cheers

 

This is a very interesting thread.
Lots of information from other members, and advise as well.
You just have to love this Forum with so much knowledge, and experience.