Most commercial packs and 'survival kits' do not include matches or a lighter. You'll need to add them. (The reason for this is shipping -- much harder to ship flammables.)

You can ship a ferrocerium rod and scraper easy enough.

Or a rod, lighter and matches in a case...as I do.

I have had many orders of Uco stormproof matches sent to me. In fact, I just received the new Titan stormproof matches. They are the same thing much larger. It says they will burn for 25 seconds. I will test them and let you guys know. They may have trouble fitting in some kits due to the size, but I think they will be good for the car and a backpack.

I always have at least 3 fire starting methods in each survival kit, along with 2 or 3 types of tinder. Doesn't take up much room, but increases your chances of success tremendously. Usually it is not the fire starting method that fails, it is the tinder.

WOAH! Where have I been? This is the first I've ever heard of those, thanks for the heads up! Those are some serious matches! I've used many boxes of the regular UCO Stormproof but those things are on steroids! I will be ordering a couple boxes to try out.

Probably teaching granny to suck eggs but in one of Ray Mears programs he mentions keeping bits of old inner tube as tinder. I got one from a bycycle and realise what a useful thing it is. Pushed over my staff to give a better grip,it's a super strong 'elastic' band, water tube and can grip slippy surfaces (using the staff as a bivvy pole was my original intent. When I did jui jitsu we used old ones tied to wall bars to strengthen our throwing movements.

qjs

Where can you get these. The inventory for REI mentions "alumettes de longue duree" but those last for a mere twelve seconds. Longer is better and I agree, redundant lighting techniques is a real good idea

I ordered some from Amazon. They should hopefully be here by Saturday, or at least Monday.

The inner tube is great stuff! Works great as "ranger bands" like a giant rubber band and it's a handy tinder as well.

I got them on Amazon.

My Titan matches showed up today. I have not lit one yet but WOW are they ever ginormous! I'll try them later but I will say they're impressive looking.

A fire kit is small and inexpensive..so there's no reason not to have five ways to make fire in the wilderness.

How are these, guys?! I haven't seen them on the shelves here yet, but love my UCO stormproof matches.

One of my favorite fire lighting techniques is now virtually obsolete - a carbide lamp - generating acetylene gas which produces a live flame up to 1 1/2 inches long. it is (was) also an unexcelled light source - perfect for dark nights and caving.

But day in and day out, good old kitchen matches, kept dry, have always worked for me in tight situations. With declining quality of these matches, I use Stormproofs more and more. When i know it will be cold and wet, I carry a stove - it is well worth the weight then.

They do burn longer. I got 35 seconds on a couple of them (normal ones are gone in about 15 seconds). Dipping them in water can put the flame on "hold" for a little while and extend the time. They are large, but no problem for a backpack.

I have UCO Stormproof matches, they work well, but longer is better. I'll have to try the Titan version. Thanks.

But throwing co$t into the equation, how do the new green tip strike anywhere matches rate? I do miss the old "diamond" strike anywhere matches.

Not sure if it is the same as the "green tip" matches you are referring to, but I have some Diamond strike anywhere "kitchen matches." The tip is green with a whitish gray striking area.

My experience: they will (sometimes) light when struck on a rough surface, but sometimes not. There is a striking surface on the box, which works reliably. They will burn, in my kitchen, for about 30 seconds, but a mere flick of my wrist will put them out. I would NOT rely on them in the field. Just my experience, and YMMV.

Pretty crappy IMHO…they don't light that easily and it doesn't take much to put them out.

The Titan matches do burn a loooong time! I'm not sure if they're worth the extra money. I mean, they work as advertised but you could simply carry more of the smaller ones for the same amount of space and price. Still they're a very impressive product.

Thanks Montanero! When my frozen fingers couldn't work a BIC a few years ago, stormproof matches were worth their weight in gold, and earned a place in my pack. If you need them for last ditch, the longer burning the better!



But then again..... you guys makes it hard to pick gear sometimes. LOL!

Quoting to second these thoughts!

Camping, I used to store the carbide "rocks" in a couple of aluminum 35mm film canisters, and had another canister, with a hole poked in the top, for my lamp. Tinfoil for a reflector. Long time ago, now...

That is how I have stored mine, as well as in the factory container. Moisture eventually defeated them all.

Carbide is now deemed a hazardous material. Shipping is very expensive.