What's the shelf life of NATO matches? Does that change between a sealed container, and if they are in a kit (out of the original container)?

I don't know any mean average, but NATO, aka lifeboats will eventually degrade. Sealed canisters will of course last longer. I replace mine every 2 years and the old stock is still fine. Anything that is disposable in use, matches, water purification tablets, meds etc. should be treated as a finite resource with a finite shelf life. Erron the side of caution. If anything, you get to practise <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I do the same thing. I certainly does attract attention when lighting a cigarette in a dark bar.

You can light a cig. with a lifeboat/nato match? You must have practiced a lot those things could catch your hand on fire <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My fav. match for sure <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, his cigarette and the 2 guys standing next to him <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />