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!