I'm always on the lookout for new ways to "package" portions of my kit, and I picked up one of the Silva matchboxes last weekend. I'm pretty impressed. It has a threaded top (unlike similar ones that rely on o-ring friction) with an o-ring seal, and a reasonable backup compass. It fits nicely in the outer pocket of the SOE sheath on my Buck-Strider Solution. I filled it with matches, a spark-lite, and some wire, and there was still a bit of room to pad with tinder.

Interesting and low cost (about $11) waterproof gadget!

http://www.silvacompass.com/2003/images/match_lg.jpg

Sounds like an excellent price. From which vendor did you purchase the matchbox? Pete

I got it from the Johnson Camping Factory store directly. I live in upstate NY and visit the store occasionally when they have a sale--not that it helps you much.... <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

actually, it might help you. I think they will take phone/mail orders.

This looks nice. I have several of their ones with the double O-ring seals in both aluminum and brass. I have found these to be excellent matchboxes with good quality compasses. A few of mine now have small bubbles but do not seem to cause any problems.

I found my last ones at the local Boy Scout shop so this may be another source.

It is funny the image you attached has strike-on-box matches....not the best choice without a striker. Silva marketing should pay more attention.

I didn't even notice that in the picture.

That's particularly interesting since in the instructions they discuss using strike anywhere matches (the bottom surface of the lid is intentionally rough machined for a striking surface) and making sure they are put in head down.

Marketing frequently forgets the details.

My double gasketed models came with a rubber disk for the bottom and top of the tube so I can place matches in both ways. This allows a few more to be placed inside.

The original design of this matchcase was done by K&M Keith & Margory (can't remember their last name) products in Idaho about 10 years ago. LL Bean marketed K&M versions for a while then they sold the design to Silva and they have been uncommon to find but available. I would like to track down one of these screwtop models. I may give my Boy Scout shop a call.

Thanks for posting this.

Randy

This is the reason I am so interested in Match Cases.

Early Experiments with Strike Anywheres

Probably the advice to put the matches in tip down is good!

Looks very similar to the one Cabelas sells
Waterproof Brass Match Case with Compass

Thanks for the heads up on a source. Pete

I have a couple of the type from Cabelas. They work pretty well too, but the Silva one has a threaded closure (which I have more faith in), the other uses the friction of two o-rings to seal the case. BTW, I have one of the brass ones and it's significantly heavier than the aluminium.

Cabelas black version of the box ages very nicely if kept away from sharp objects. Finish starts wearing of at the corners and you have this nice looking aged "tool" but if you throw it in your pocket with sharps and coins it will look horrible.

Matt

I was almost going to buy one that was orange, plastic, had a whistle on the bottom and a compass on the top, but that one was cheap so I didn't get it.

Frank

Hello, my name is Bear, and I'm a gearoholic.

I loved the picture of that match case, and searched for it high and low online. Finally, the Johnson company customer service people put me onto their outlet store in NY ("Eureka Camping"?) who take phone orders.

1-888-638-7352

... if you just GOTTA have one.

Bear

Im not sure that the ones in the picture are safety matches because in the UK strike anywhere matches look like that

I just read the linked post. This is lucky as I recently read in Ray Mears book "Bushcraft" about making a match case from shotgun shells. I tryed the other day but couldnt pry the cap off I was going to try again soon <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />