I had a suprise occasion on Monday to spend the night outdoors and needed to light a fire. In my BOB I had two methods of firestarting, a blast match and tinder along with a sealed pack of Life Boat Matches. (not being a smoker, that was it)
I opted for the Life Boat Matches.
Lighting one of the matches was not a big problem although not as easy as a normal kitchen match.
The problem came when they were struck. The outer coating extended for more than half the length of the match. It flared, quickly burned along the length of the coating, and then (without exception) it went out. Total burn time 2-3 seconds. I was able to get the fire going and light my cook stove but it was a trial and error affair. It was sort of windy but not extremely so.
The experience was frustrating and I couldn't help but think how I might be depending on these things for my life one of these days.
I am resolved to find alternative methods of fire starting (even kitchen matches would have been much better). I was wishing for a bic or zippo with all my heart.
Any thoughts or experiences on this matter would be appreciated. What about other emergency lighters?

Jon

IMHO: NATO lifeboat-matches SUCK!
They're virtually impossible to light, and when they do, you can't see a flame, it just smokes a little. I'm not able to start fires with those. I switched to Coghlan's wind/waterproofs

The problem with the matches is not the match. It's with the container. For some reason, which I suspect comes from making it as durable as possible, the striker on the plastic container is very rough. Too rough. If you try striking one on a conventional safety matches ignition strip, you will be pleasently surprised by the results. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the tip, I will certainly give that a try.

Jon

I seem to recall on a prior thread it was suggested that the NATO matches have a shelf life. You might check on that. I recently bought some REI matches that appear similar; they burn quite spectacularly for about 15 seconds.

I've wanted to try the REI matches, need something else to buy to make up an order. I'm sure there are different kinds. Mine were purchased from a well known online dealer of quality survival gear.
As far as shelf life.. The definition of: "Life Boat" matches would seem to imply/require a long term usefulness. They were sealed and didn't appear to be degraded in any way.
I have some coughlins waterproof matches that I will be trying. Perhaps I will try the REI ones as well and let you know how I fare.

The obvious lesson here is that we should all try out the items in our kits before TSHTF. Make sure they do the job intended. Something as simple as lighting a fire or stove with items I have chosen for use in tough times has taught me a lot.

Thanks
Jon

I always include THREE sources of fire starting: butane lighter, a sparker, and matches, and those are presented in my order of preference.

At this time my preferred lighter is the Solo Candle Lighter because it is extendable, which makes it much easier to use when lighting tinder and gas stoves.

For a sparker I tend to carry both the Magfire Pro and a SparkLite. I prefer using the Magfire since it has lots more lights on it, but have to admit that the SparkLite is easier to use. Since the SparkLite is so tiny I can carry it too.

For matches I carry REI waterproof matches in a extended K&M Aluminum matchcase .

I'll agree they should have a long shelf life. But maybe they were 1950's era salvage from some DOD warehouse.<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Seriously though, you are absolutely right about periodic testing, not just to see if items initially work as advertised, but also to make sure they haven't degraded over time.

Coghlans are better than nothing, but REI stormsafe matches are hard to beat. You can light one, hold it under water, and when you bring it out of the water, poof, it starts burning again!!!

I have ordered several boxes of REI storm proof matches. Looking forward to having them available.

Jon

Do consider buying a K&M matchcase specifically designed to house the REI matches. Yes, they are a bit pricey, but they are rock solid, 110% waterproof, you only need one (or two?), and they'll last several lifetimes.

http://kmmatchcase.safeshopper.com/

Note: it appears that they are out on a bit of a vacation right now, but they'll be taking orders again next week.

I would assume so, but unfortunately I have never had the chance to handle one. I would love to have a couple, but for now I am stuck with a few old GI matchsafes...

Thanks; I bought one of the first made. I agree that they are a great value. Perhaps a second one is needed.
I have been hoping they would design one just a bit bigger as a micro survival capsule. It would be interesting what could be fit into one. Other survival capsules are way out of my price league.

Save your pennies, or better yet, give blatant hints to you loved ones that you'd like one of those for a birthday or other holiday. Now that they have their own web site it is easier to sneek the link into the bottom of an e-mail.

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

By the way, when the time comes I'd suggest you just get the longer extended version since they'll hold both the REI matches and regular matches. I've found the strike-anywhere matches I have at home (Diamond brand??) are too long to fit in their standard length match case.

I have a K&M Matchcase and yes, they are worth the money. No, let me rephrase that: For what they are, they are insultingly cheap. I would have payed twice their asking price and considered it a bargain. It amazes me that people will pay top dollar ($100+) for a quality knife, and then balk at the paltry price of one of these match cases.
A 11/2-2" diameter version would be nice, but don't hold your breath.....

I see no prices or any buy links on the website.. Maybe they took it down because they are on vacation?

I didn't think Diamond Brand Strike-anywhere matches were available anymore -- they are all strike on box in our area

I still see the diamond strike anywhere matches.. I find them in hardware stores by the BBQ stuff.. Yes, they are strike anywheres with the little white tips.

haven't been able to find strike anywhere's here in ohio

I agree, a 1.5" dia version would be sweet.
Pill bottles work well for me as a long match safe, if a bit fragile. Glue a striker to the bottle bottom or top, or both.

Other possible locations for strick-anywhere matches are campground stores. I noticed that just about every Jellystone campground (yeah the one for kids) has them. There are Jellystones in Mansfield and Aurora, if any of those are nearby.

Diamondbrands.com says "You will find a variety of our products at Wal-Mart, Kmart, Meijer, Target, Ace Hardware, Kroger, Albertson's, Safeway, Winn Dixie, and many more."

Good luck!!

Yeah, most of the supermarkets (and I'm lumping Walmart in this one) only carry the strike on box versions..Check the Ace Hardware any other "non-kitchen" places. I think REI had some diamond strike anywhere in the small boxes..

FWIW I've been told that strike anywhere vs strike-on-the-box is not just a matter of store's choice; there appears to be an actual local ordinance governing this. I can drive just a few miles into another state, another county, or outside of city limits, and find strike anywhere easily.

I've had the same experience with NATO lifeboat matches flaring the whole length of the head rather than turning into a useful flame..repeatedly. Would NEVER be able to use them to light a lantern or stove, for example.

So now what I do is stuff the match into a handful of my smallest tinder (ultra-tiny twigs, waxed paper, etc) and strike the match with the tinder bundle squeezed around it. No problems this way, so far.

You make a good point. The matches did work. I did have backup in the form of a blast match and wetfire tinder but viewed those as a last ditch or TEOTWAWKI situation.

My frustration grew from the unexpected outdoor overnight stay, cold, hunger, and all the other things that one would encounter in an emergency. Perhaps an essential part of a survival kit is actual practice in using the items so carefully selected and carried. Not a new thought on this forum but one that was brought home to me in spades. I suppose I learned the hard way and will remember the lessons learned.

Thanks to all;
Jon

Care to tell the story? Might be interesting...

I was once told by someone, don't recall who, that strike anywhere matches could no be shipped by air, so maybe location has something to do with who has them and who doesn't...

A sordid and mundane little situation but perhaps interesting.
My wife and I purchased 40 acres in SW Missouri sometime in early July. The only problem was a family of squatters on the land who refused to leave. Former owner was obligated under the contract to get rid of them. Lawyers, etc, etc they played on his sympathy and played the matter again and again. I got tired of the game and this past Monday evening I drove to a hill on the property overlooking the occupied house, pitched camp built a fire and made a big show of marking my territory. (sometimes literally) It has taken several cold and sometimes wet days but they finally packed up and left my land yesterday. My wife and I move in tomorrow morning. Only in Missouri.....

Jon

do tell how you did the marking... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

One of our local hardware stores (IIRC its an Ace ) even carried the penny size strike anywhere matches.

In my experience a Bic or a Zippo often needs a second-stage tinder which will hold the flame and burn for a minute or so. Paper will do if you have enough; cotton wool if it's soaked in wax or vasaline; commercial tinders like tinder card or quik tab or Coghlan's are great. Without something like that, I find it hard to start a fire with a Bic unless conditions are ideal (eg no wind).

I've never been a fan of matches because they are bulky, don't cope with water, can degrade over time and can be hard to light. And they have the same issue as above - they really need a second-stage tinder.

You can often improvise tinder, but nowadays I like to carry some so I don't have to.

(A first-stage tinder would be something that turns a spark or ember into a flame - the fuel in a lighter, or the chemicals in a match.)

you're right! I just checked a small hardware store close to my house [ACE affiliated I think] and they had strike anywhere's! Bought both small boxes and kitchen size. Only been looking for those for about two years!

I just picked up a package of those Storm matches from REI here in town and, dang, they're excellent. You do have to light them on the strip that's on the box or that come plastic-wrapped with the matches.

I'd like to see them offer the option of a plain cap, no compass. If I'm going to carry a couple, do I really need a compass on every one?