Shellac. I've had them last for several years after multiple dippings in shellac. Head first, let them dry, butt first, repeat, so the tips and butts have at least 3 coats, and most of the shaft has 6. Takes a few days, and it works best if the humidity is low, but it makes a great match.

These are in fact addicting. I have several K&M, a marbles, an everdry, a BSA and the plastic military version. What is the silver one in your photo, second from left?

Schwert:
Which way is NORTH??? (referring to the picture of your match cases)

Up.


Those are laying on a table with a metal plate under the top. The case on the far left was an original K&M and its compass is off the pin, but otherwise those all do work if they are not on a metal desk.

What's the advantage of matches over a cheap disposable lighter? For the same size and weight of about 15 matches, you could have 1000's of lights from a bic, and probably 1000's more firestarting sparks after the gas runs out. Plus it's waterproof and almost indestructable (in normal use)

The only problem I've had with lighters is that I lose them way before they ever run out.

Lighters require it be warm enough for the butane to vaporize.

It is true that there is many way to start a fire without a match. But why do you think they are still here after 100+ years? When all else is said and done, they still work.

Matches light when cold. You can count exactly how many matches you have. You can give matches to some one. That is, you can hand someone ten matches and now you both have a fire starter. Matches seem to store better. Flints will rust, fuel will leak. But matches waterproofed with a single coat of clear nail polish and stored in a match case will last years. Matches can be fired out of a BB gun at a brick wall for a fun incendiary round. A whole bundle of matches can be lit at once for an instant larger flame than a single match or light creates, while still remaining more compact and versatile then a road flare. Matches can be trimmed down to an inch or less for inclusion in a pocket sized kit in a tin. A piece of highly flammable tinder can be held with a match while striking in high wind, so the initial flare up instantly lights it.

I would say overall, matches advantage over a cheap lighter are their versatility.

Everyone knows how to use a match. I once bought a childproof lighter and couldn't figure out how to use it. And I didn't have a child around to show me how.

How complicated is too complicated when you're hypothermic and can't think well and don't have much manual dexerity? If you can grab and move your hand, you can light a match.

Backup to your backup.

Sue

A hypothermic person can have SEVERE loss of coordination and sensation in their hands.

Imagine trying to strike a match or flick a bic while wearing boxing gloves.

A Yankee friend of mine does a lot of winter hiking, snowmobiling, etc. He had one of those fireplace lighters with the long neck and and a trigger to light it. He epoxied a big fat knob atop the safety, cut off the trigger guard and put it in a ziplock baggie. He said he figured if he couldn't manage to squeeze the trigger, he could at least just grasp it and push the trigger against the edge of his boot or something to light it.

Jeff