I just got my K&M Matchcases (brass, long size). Nicely made BTW!

Anyway, does anyone know how many REI stormproof matches the cases hold?

Also, how about accidental fires in the case. I have not used the REI matches so I'm wondering how easily they might light while bouncing around in a match case.

And for those of you who have the standard-sized K&M cases... what matches are you hauling in them? Their website recommends Ohio Blue-Tip Strike anywhere matches. I have yet to see them anywhere.

And the product info that comes with the cases says not to store pills with the matches. Is anyone using these for items other than matches?

I've carried REI matches in my extended K&M case for about two years without any unintended fires.

I don't remember how many fit. I'll have to pull it out and look.

It never hurts to pad the "hot" end of a match safe with some cottonball material...

Yeti,

The link from the K&M website (http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10196) shows 12 lifeboat matches wrapped in a plastic bag. These are about the same diameter as the REI ones, so it should hold that many or a few more.

Thanks for bringing this to the board, I have been looking for a good safe and I think this might be it. The order is in!

Respectfully,

Jerry

KenK,
Have you tried lighting those on the case, or did you pack a striker into it? Just curious, after reading a review of this little thingy...

Yeti-
Thanks for adding yet another item to my "must have" list

Lifeboat and REI Storm matches MUST be struck on the supplied striker. REI includes striker pads that fit right into the K&M case with each matchbox. I put these into the case striker side against the case wall.

I have no idea how one would put a Lifeboat striker pad in the case however. I much prefer the REI Stormsafe matches.

Quite a number will fit in a case, but I do not know the exact number.

It is very important to NOT stuff other things (like pills) into a K&M case so that a traditional strike-anywhere match does not raise up enough to strike as the plug is rotated over top of them to tension the cords. A tiny bit of cotton over the top is OK, but nothing should be put in the bottom of the case.

Keith means Diamond Strike-Anywhere matches not Ohio Blue Tips....Diamond bought Ohio many years ago.

I got 14 REI Storm matches with a striker strip in there while opposing the heads.

On a side note, I was never able to get a strike on box match to light on the inside of the stopper. I was occasionally able to light it on the aggressive knurling on the outside of the case, but
with only about a 60% success rate. That is when I upgraded to the longer case and now use the REI matches. Great piece of kit....

Yeti,
I had a heck of a time finding "strike anywhere" matches but finally got them at my local Ace Hardware store. They had them in the same area as supplies for BBQ grills.
Bought a few boxes last year. Might try that.

I have in mine:
5 Swedish Match Company matches + striker board.
5 strike anywhere matches.
4 Tinder-Quick tabs treaded on to saddlers thread.
2 Saddlers needle's and about 10' heavy duty thread.

Strike on the Box....means they only light on the box striker....they should not be able to light on the inside of the stopper or on the knurling.

REI matches will not strike on anything other than the supplied striker pad also.

Strike Anywhere matches can be lit on the inside of the stopper or the knurling...particularily the brass case knurling.

Strike on the Box matches are essentially two-part matches. The striker chemical plus the match head chemical are BOTH required to ignite the match.

Strike Anywhere matches have all the necessary chemicals to friction ignite Anywhere....which I am guessing is why they are so named

Thanks Schwert for stating the obvious. Unless I am missing the obvious though, Strike Anywhere matches haven't been available for quite some time because of the shipping restrictions. Please tell me where I can buy some. I am aware you have a vested interest in defending the match case because of the knot you recommended, but I
thought people might want to know what to realistically expect-carry a strike pad and don't rely on the case as a striking surface...rely on it to keep your matches dry.

It rather seemed the obvious needed stating eh? I was quite concerned that you had no basic understanding of the strike on the box match function.

Strike Anywhere matches are not available in certain locations depending on state or local laws. I can buy them in any grocery store in Washington. There is an internet site selling them and people offer them on ebay. If you do a search here you may be able to locate the internet vendor, I cannot quite recall the place. Some people who live in states that have restricted the sale, have found them in hardware stores in the BBQ area.

I really am not defending the matchcase, but I do highly recommend it, it requires no defending what-so-ever. As of last year, Keith Lunders is selling these without my assistance so I no longer have any financial interest in their sales.

The knot note has always pleased me.

I when I'm out I actually carry two matchcases:

One is the K&M extended length case with REI matches and their strike pad. This is my emergency one. I haven't lit one of these matches in about a year, so I'd better use them up and rotate in some fresh ones soon. This case is so well made that I'm betting my life on it. BTW, I put some silicon grease on the o-rings to make them easier to use - really helps. The grease is made for o-rings and purchased from a pool store.

The other is the standard cheap orange plastic one found on many outdoor websites - this contains strike-anywhere matches and a small piece of emery board (my wife uses to work on her nails. I use this one for for day-to-day uses - mostly lighting my Coleman lantern. That lantern can't be lit with a lighter, so the matches are a requirement there. I haven't a clue whether the cheap matchcase is actually waterproof. I've been meaning to dunk it to find out, but haven't yet.

My fire-making kit also includes a MagFire fire steel, a Storm refillable lighter, and a ziplok bag of Vaseline-covered cotton balls. I've been meaning to put a few uncoated cotton balls in there just to make sure I can catch a spark.

Ken K.