Had a similar experience with one of those orange whistles, compass, mirror, waterproof matchkeepers with a striking rod on it that would allow you to strike and light any match on it.

When I got it home, I tried to strike matches on the striking rod and got diddily squat. I filled it up with matches wrapped in wax paper to protect them from rubbing against each other or either end and the striker from the matchbox was also placed inside wrapped in wax paper.

Bountyhunter