I use the same ones, with an OD one for the "widget tube". I seem to snap about a quarter of them, and another quarter never light.

What do you that I'm not? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Chris:

I thought the exploding BIC was an urban myth? Is there any valid documentation for such an event? What were the circumstances?

The only thing I can can think of was something I saw happen: bunch of guys standing around talking in cold weather. Guy is idly playing with lighter in his pocket, flicking the 'child proof' fuel tab down. Then, for reasons he can't explain, flicked the flint wheel on the lighter while still in his pocket. His pocket went up pretty good, but it was by no means an explosion.

I'll answer Susan's question first. You don't need O2 for the head of the matches to ingnight or burn. The compounds involved have their own oxidizer so they flare. Only when it comes to the stick part does it need an outside sorce of air.

Buckey has it right glue the striker strip to the inside of the cap so it staysand is available for use. Then put the matches head end down. If the tips are at the other end they can't touch the striker strip.

If you use strik anywhere matches almost any surface rough dry surface will work. But in wet weather anything outside a sealed unit just might be damp. This would ruin the chances and the match.

If you use safety matches you have to use the box striker strip as it has half the chemical compound that makes them ignite.

I know that dipping a match in paraffin will water proof matches. I have also heard but have personally tried Thompsons Waterseal works well. This wouls not significantly increase the match sizes as the paraffin will. I do know that over time the paraffin will degrade the matches. I haven't heard the long term effects of the Thompsons. But because matches are such a necessity they should be checked regularly. If there is any sign of degridation the need to be replaced.If either method is used you must coat the entire match not just the head. If the stick is not treated and is exposed to water it will avt as a wick. Ending in a wet head and a ruined match. Another option is to go the expensive route and purchase wind and waterproof commercial brand. The best of which are lifeboat matches.

Either a sealable, meaning one with an O ring gasket, match container or vacume packing bundles with a sealing machine is a good method to kep them dry.

If you are like me, a belt and suppenders type, you water proof the matches and then store them in a waterproof case just to be sure they work when thing get critical.

Because fire can be so necessary I think everyone should carry at least 3 different methods to start them. Plus the primitive skills to start them with no modern aid. I.E. several different fire by friction skills. For modern fire starting I personally do not concider matches an option. For the same amount of space of 20 matches which would start about 20 fires. 40 if you are skilled enough to split matches. For that space I can pack a disposabe lighter that will start hundreds if not thousands of fires. Even when the fuel runs out it can still act as a flint and steel source. As I am a smoker and use mine every day I carry a full one as a backup. Then there are the modern flint and steel rod or rod magnisium bar combos. Many smallere than 10 or so matches. I also carry a fresnel lens in my wallet to start one when the sun is shining.

Sorry to be so long winded I'm a natural firebug.

There is a common type of accidents with disposable lighters. When people carry them while welding the sparks can melt into the fuel tank. When another one comes with the proper timing the fuel can explode. This is why its not allowed to carry disposable lighters for welding. I have seen on one occasion that a lighter was melted by a welding spark. The owner of the lighter was lucky as the gas was not ignited.

In the Navy, we were not allowed to have bic type lighters in the forward hold near the access to the sonar dome aboard our destroyer. This is because on one ship someone's lighter fell out of their pocket and down the tube 4 stories into the sonar dome and it went off and blew the sonar equipment all to heck.

You can detonate any flammable liquid/gas with enough compression.

"But in wet weather anything outside a sealed unit just might be damp."

When all else is wet, don't forget that your zipper (metal or plastic) can be used as a striker for Strike Anywheres. Just don't light your Levis on fire!

Interesting. We used to make Bic style lighters "explode" by hurling them against concrete. (it was actually more like a "pop" than a "boom")

But that was back when I was young and foolish - - Now I'm old and foolish. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

>>>QUOTE:But that was back when I was young and foolish - - Now I'm old and foolish. <<<<

"You might not be able to stay young but you can always remain immature" - Red Green

For a striker, John Wayne used the seat of his britches or his fingernail! He didn't have a zipper, or sandpaper, or............. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

According to www.snopes.com, the story of welders being killed when a spark ignited their Bic lighter is false; no such fatal accident has ever been recorded, as far as they could discover. However, there have been several cases of such lighters exploding due to overheating (a salesman in Belgium lost his car when 500 lighters, that he had left in his car on a hot day, ignited) .

The only known fatality due to an exploding Bic lighter was a 66-year old woman, whose family sued Bic for $11 million, claiming that the lighter had blown up in her hand (presumably it was defective). The case was settled out of court, and the results of the settlement were sealed.

So, on the one hand, it seems to be safe to carry them in your pocket while welding; on the other, it seems to be quite dangerous to store them in your car, or even carry them in your pocket, on a hot day. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/techno/lighters.htm