I carry the REI survival matches as part of my "fire" kit in a water proof match container. Along with the included striker stips. A concern that I have is in the event the striker gets wet how badly would it be compromised. So I have taken one of the round cutting disk for metal from my Dremmel tool case and placed it in the match container. I tried it on several matches and seems to work fine. Just a little tricky because of the size of the disk.

Just tried this, works fine w/ strike anywhere, no luck w,REI survival... I'm under the imperssion that REI matches are "safety matches" that require the special striker.

Were you able to strike REI matches on a cut off wheel?

I just keep the striker pad slipped in between the matches in my K&M matchcase. Haven't had any problems so far.

Just took a look at my matches. I have two different kinds from REI One is called survival matches and comes in a green box. The other is called saftey matches.(dont remember what the original container looked like) The matches I tried and got to work were the saftey matches. They appear to be strike anywhere matches on steroids. My bad for the confusion.

I think the stiker surface for safety matches has to contain red phosphorous.

The only matches I buy any more (actually for the last 20-years) is the Diamond brand (use to be Ohio Blue Tip) strike anyplace matches. I have an old piece of 2x4 (wood block) that I have holes drilled into. I stand the matches up in the holes and spray them with clear polyurethane to make them waterproof. I use to dip them in wax, but this makes the matches a lot bigger round and not as many will fit into the metal match container. The polyurethane makes them waterproof and still the matches retain the same size so you can fit the same amount in the holder. They also don’t melt wax all over things in my van in hot weather like wax coated ones do.

I do dip still use wax with cardboard and matches to make fire starters. These fire starters require no fire source like matches or a lighter to get a fire going as they have their own built in fire source. I make these several inches long and just cut off what I need.

Here is a picture showing them. It’s at the bottom below the stove.

Looks like a good setup