Matches??? Just how reliable are matches? Do I want to depend on them in the field as my primary fire starting source?

I got some of the NATO Waterproof and Windproof matches and was feeling pleased with myself until I tried to light one. Turns out that the substance on the striking surface (the top of the lid) had gone tacky (soft and sticky) and that the matches was scraping it off.

Bad matches or my bad luck?

OK. After that, I got some of the Coghlans matches. These work, but the matches are so difficult to light that it just takes is a few matches to completely wear away and destroy the striking surface.

Can I make a striking surface if I get the chemicals?

I know the current wisdom is that you should have at least 2 methods of starting a fire. So if I carry matches, do I have 2 methods? Or just one?

Hmmm... Heating the NATO matches striking surface might harden it so that it might work... Then again it might ignite... Time to move to the backyard with a water hose...