A new series of Keith Lunders (K&M) matchcases are available. These have a jeweled Suunto liquid-filled compass and are machined from either brass or aluminum. The brass weighs 76g the aluminum 29g. They have a knurled exterior body and plug. The inside of the plug is slightly roughened for use as a match striker (strike-anywhere type matches), and the plug has a pair of O-ring seals that are water-proof to 2000 psi. The plug is held in place by twisting the plug and therefore tensioning the lanyard around the case body. These are easily opened when your hands are wet and since it is not a screw-thread will not gall or freeze in place.

A limited supply of yellow powdercoated aluminum cases are available in addition to the standard brass and black anodized aluminum. Red anodized aluminium is also available along with clear anodized aluminium (shiny aluminium) which is available as a special order only for right now.

The dark ruby red anodized aluminum case like the yellow case shown is an old stock case fitted with the new compass.

Here are the details of the process:

Case cost is $19 each in US funds.

Postage from $5 to $9 depending upon the number ordered and your location. Priority mailers are used for all orders. Typical mailing cost to the US is $4 up to 9 cases, the UK and other international locations is $5 for up to 4 cases, $9 for up to 9 cases.

1) Email me at rlschaffer@gmail.com (Note the second letter is an ell)

2) List the number of cases and metal types you want

3) Provide a precise shipping address

4) I will return the email with final price including shipping and ask you to PayPal that amount to me at the same email address

5) Once funds are transferred, I will forward your order, address and money to Keith. He will ship direct from Idaho.

6) At this point PayPal transfers are preferred and credit cards through them are fine.


Notes:

I do not do any computer work on the weekends so I will only answer your emails Monday - Friday.

Please do not PayPal any funds until I confirm your order.

Keith will be working in Montana for 10-21 days at a time every-so-often so orders may sit in Idaho for a while depending on his schedule.

Keith supplies all cases with a compass cover, extra O-rings and an extra cord.




Mirage did this review on his case up in Testing and Reviews over at British Blades.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10196

And should anyone be interested in probably the longest discussion ever done on these cases see this thread over at BCUK

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/community/showthread.php?t=2416

I bought a couple of these through Schwert a month or two ago. These are the best match cases that I've found anywhere! Yes, they're a little pricey, but in this case you get what you pay for.

Wow! Those are nice! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Is it $19.00 no matter brass, aluminum, or power coated?

Thanks!

Schwert, email sent. Thanks , these look great.

Dave

$19 not matter what material (plus postage which is a flat rate up to as many cases as we can stuff in a priority mailer).

Only 11 yellows left....lots of red left....and unlimited on black and brass and special orders on clear anodized.

While a formal review has been delayed due to pressing priorities, let me say that I have been playing with two of these new production cases for some time now. In a word, they are very well constructed and functional. Compared to the Silva knock-offs, these are clearly superior quality. Would be nice if they were available longer to accommodate full length REI windproof/waterproof matches, but that's hardly much of a complaint. While I'd personally prefer a threaded cap myself (different strokes, etc.), these proved easy to open with a twist, the knurling is very aggressive for a good grip, and while slightly more difficult, could be readily opened even while cooled to sub-zero F temperatures. They proved waterproof to eight feet for 24 hours (limited to capabilities of my test apparatus). The Suunto compass worked adequately and was about as accurate as you'd expect from a button compass.

I just got a yellow one it is asowme.

I also bought 4 of these cases (red, black, yellow & clear), and they are extremely well-made. The black case holds my cigar-lighting matches, and has banged around in my coat pocket without collecting a scratch. And Mr. Schwert is a pleasure to deal with!

I would like to second the motion that Schwert was a pleasure to deal with. I recently ordered two of these in yellow and wound up giving one to a friend, so now I need to order more! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for all the compliments on the cases and our somewhat unusual method of selling these.

Keith Lunders is a good friend and I am only too happy to assist him in distributing these cases. I got my first K&M case from LL Bean sometime around 1989. I was just amazed by the solid design and perfect execution. I wrote Keith a letter praising that case and our long association began. Over the years Keith supplied these cases to large distributors until he experienced compass defects that nearly stopped production. Now that he has again found the Suunto compasses he was able to start up production. I am very proud to be able to assist him in providing these.

I really appreciate Doug looking at the cases and allowing me to assist Keith with these sales on his forum. I also appreciate the nice comments from some of our customers, given the roundabout sales proceedure.

I think these make a great addition to anyones kits, and are of such quality that I can see passing them down.

Keith is evaluating his CNC machine for throw to see if the cases could be lengthened for the REI matches. No data yet, but if he bags his Elk soon, he will have more time to give that a try.

I have about 8 yellows left, plenty of red and an unlimited supply of brass and black anodized aluminum.

Schwert,

If the creator is open to suggestions...

Very nice cases. I would like to see one sans compass to hold tinder, firestarter, etc. I don't know if leaving the compass off makes it any easier to increase the length.

Good luck, TR

Pizzaman & Schwert

I was thinking too if the creator was open to a suggestion.

Could this case be adapted to be a battery storage case. I, like many have surefire torches and other led lights which use CR123's. Up til now I've not been able to find a suitable container to house my spares. This little package looks like it's just what I've been looking for. Will have to check dimensions and such when I get my first order. But if the creator (Keith) could do his own range all the better.

Be careful. Aluminum is a conductor of electricity. Make sure that you don't complete a circuit when you install the batteries and close the lid.

Sorry, as a former safety inspector, I had to say that.

Surefire makes a CR123 battery carrier. I'm sure that there are others as well.

I'm not knocking the K&M matchcase at all - I own two of them. As far as I'm concerned, they're the best match cases available.

For exactly that reason, I use a Coghlan's plastic match safe to hold two spare CR123s. There is just room for something like a $20 wrapped around the batteries, and just room in the end for a very thin piece of foam to stop endwise rattle. Plus, it only cost $1.19 at the local store.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductD...gory_rn=4500638
and countycomm.com has what I think is the same thing for $1.00:
http://www.countycomm.com/matchcase.htm .

Cool. Thanks for the link. Holds two CR123, you say... perfect match (heh) for my HDS U60.

A standard K&M case will only hold one CR123a lithium. The stopper is set too deep in the case to allow a pair. If Keith does do a longer verison for the REI matches then it may work....however I too would caution the use as a conductor. Adding some insulating bits on the stopper base and case bottom would probably work, but I carry a SureFire case for my spares or use a plastic tube with press fit plugs.

Thanks for the orders folks.

Keith has advised me that all or most of his red cases are going for a large order and by my count there is only one yellow case left. He is doing a recount, but for now I would probably advise that the standard brass, black aluminum and special order clear aluminum would be the choices.

Has anyone thought of using an Otterbox Cigar caddy for a battery case.
I havent seen one, and I dont have access to one to have a look.
Has anybody seen one, and what do you think as a battery case?

www.otterbox.com/products/cigar_caddy/index.htm

Thought about it, that's about it.

My idea was to find one that would hold a small light that would run on a AA or AAA, 8-10 AAs, 4-6 AAAs, 4 CR123s, and as needed, one or two A23s and a couple of larger coin batteries. Just ended up being a bit bigger than I really wanted to use, and thust I never bought the case.

I'd also look at the new, 10XX microcase line from Pelican.

Stevez

Understood about the circuit, was going to insert some fibre washers to act as insulators, thus preventing a circuit from occuring. Don't want my spares to discharge prematurely.

I've seen the Surefire cases but I didn't want to carry six batteries, I thought two would be enough. I have an E1e with KL1 Led head, so on run time one battery in the torch plus two spares should see me through most things. Besides I like the form factor and compass feature of this tube. If they where made a little longer, then I think this would be a good combination.

The other plastic matchcase is worth exploring as a battery case and cheap to, I'll check it out.

While I think the best way to carry 123-size batteries & a SureFire lamp is to use the SF Spares Carrier, it is bulky.

I've found that a Kodak Advantix film cannister (oval shaped) will hold 2x123 batteries just fine. Add a piece of gaffer's or duct tape to keep the lid on, & you're good to go. BTW, the Fuji cases won't work...they're slightly smaller than the Kodak.

You can pick up the cases at practically any photo processing shop, free.

David

I use an E1e with the KL1 as well.
Surefire now have a smaller spares carrier that hold 4 batteries now.
I carry my E1e on my belt with a Mini Maglite belt sheath. That way I can keep 1 spare battery in the bottom of the sheath. Unfortunately its not water proof though.

Stokie,

If I had looked at your profile prior to my last post, I would have realized that my previous caution was unnecessary.

Surefire also sells a smaller version that holds four batteries. Like you, I would also like to find a good container for two CR123s. If you find something that works, please let me know. I'll do the same.

Steve

For a Surefire-brand plastic case which holds 2 CR123s, consider a G2. No compass, but it is probably waterproof, and doubles as a flashlight!

Back to the main topic.....

I have only one yellow case left by my count and about 60 Reds left. Keith is making a stock of aluminim cases this week so silver should be a faster option too.

Bumping this one up as a reminder to order for the holidays.

We still have Red anodized, silver anodized, black anodized and brass cases.

These make great gifts...even if you wrap them and give them to yourself <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The 3 yellow arrived yesterday. Very impressive, they will make nice gifts for special friends. Schwert, thanks for bringing these to ETS !

Dave

Well my K&M Matchcase has arrived, and I am very happy with it.
I ordered 1 because I was not sure how our local matches would fit, or how the compass would work here in Australia.
Our local matches fit fine, but unfortunately we do not have strike anywhere matches, so I have to include a striker cut from the side of the match box.
I suspected that the compass would be a problem locally, but I decided to try anyway. Unfortunately I have to hold the matchcase on a 15 - 20 degree angle towards South because the compass needle sits on the angle to work in the US region. It also sticks a bit and doesn't rotate smoothly.
I was aware this might happen, and this is no reflection on Schwert or Keith from K&M. I volunteered myself as my own test to see what would happen.
I am currently trying to get a local replacement compass from Suunto, as it is the same compass centre as used in my Suunto Clipper. However I have had problems getting Suunto compasses here for a while. I havent been able to get another Clipper for nearly 2 years.
If I cant get a Suunto, I will use a Silva/Brunton SERE40 compass instead.(wont fit as good though)
If I can get this Suunto out without damage, I will have an EDC compass if I ever get to the US <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Also Id like to thank Schwert for chasing up extra info and finding out if I get get more matchcases without the compass so I can insert a local compass.

In response to:

"consider a G2. No compass, but it is probably waterproof, and doubles as a flashlight! "

I just love that idea. How good is the G2 on throw anyway.

Last weekend was down in the Rhone valley sampling a few of the local specialities and stocking up on some wine for Xmas. Well I was visiting one cellar which was dark and dank as most cellars are, so I used my E1e+KL1 giving a nice wow factor to sales girl. Did notice it didn't throw all that far, nice flood and good colour.

I'm still waiting for my matchcases to show up, shouldn't be too long now...........I hope.

The SF G2 is functionally identical to the 6P, C2, etc...any 2-cell light using the P-60 lamp. The case & lens are different, that's all.

David

Biggzie,

Here is what Keith says about removing the compass:

The easiest way we've found is to remove the string from the plug, then insert a small diameter curved piece of wire and gently push close to the edge of the compass. Pushing in the center will sometimes break the back of the capsule.

I hope you can locally find a compass that fits that is balanced for your part of the earth.

I appreciate your willingness to see if these would work down under.

I received my cases and all I can say is they are fantastic <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Many Thanks to Randy.
Pete

I have a 6P and two G2s.
I could lend you a G2 for a few days if you want to try it.
Send me a mail....
but I won't be able to see you before the first of december...
And if you want an 8NX Commander (rechargeable), I could sell you one at a very good price.....

Thanks, I will see what I can find tomorrow and give it a try.

This is a picture of the little suunto compass in the K&M Matchcase from side on showing the inclination tilt of the needle in Australia.



The white sloping down from left to right is the rotating disk of the compass with the needle attached underneath.
Laying flat on the table the needle will drag itself around to point north, but holding it in the hand is enough to cause it to bind and it is not very usable.

Schwert, you might like to point Keith from K&M to this post so he can see for himself what its like.

That is a great shot of compass dip.

I will send Keith this link. I will also amend my posts to caution buyers who are outside of Zone 1 that the compass will bind.

You, in zone 5, have it the worst it appears and I do not recall any buyers who are even in zone 2.

I just received the two that I ordered and I would like to second all of the positive comments. I too ordered them for gifts so I won't be doing any torture testing but they look to be superior in every way to the brass one Cabelas carried. I prefer the pull-off cap to the screw-off cap so that's another plus.

Regards, Vince

Here is the current K&M "family" along with the proposed long case for the REI matches....see Long K&M thread



Silver REI long, Brass, Clear anodized Al, Red anodized Al, and Black anodized Al

Schwert--

What are the "white" ends on the regular matches? Some type of coating, perhaps? If so, what?

Or, on looking again, is what appears to be a white end actually the bare wood of the matchstick, & the rest of the match has been dipped in something? Again, what?

I have an older K & M & it's great. Hope to get a couple more in the future! Thanks for your efforts!

David

Those appear to be strike-anywhere matches, as opposed to strike-on-the-box matches.

David,

Those are strike-anywhere matches (Penley) dipped in shellac. The white ends are the natural wood sticks that have not been coated in shellac.