One of my favorite fire lighting techniques is now virtually obsolete - a carbide lamp - generating acetylene gas which produces a live flame up to 1 1/2 inches long. it is (was) also an unexcelled light source - perfect for dark nights and caving.

But day in and day out, good old kitchen matches, kept dry, have always worked for me in tight situations. With declining quality of these matches, I use Stormproofs more and more. When i know it will be cold and wet, I carry a stove - it is well worth the weight then.