How To Light A Match

abo4ster

abo4ster

Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
1,461
I made a video on "how to light a match" several years ago and posted on photobucket. Not finding the original on my pc, I did a remake and just posted it on youtube.

The match is often overlooked, maybe not so much in carry, but in its use. Knowing how to light a match properly could be a lifesaver, especially in compromising conditions when it is needed most. Here is a method I was I taught (the hard way) from one of the best...


[youtube]8NJ1PXzzMZo[/youtube]​
 
I light a match the same way, except I hold it between my thumb and middle, and support with my index finger.


also, I never that you could successfully split a match in half.
 
stealthchaser13 said:
also, I never that you could successfully split a match in half.
Click to expand...

In one of Cody Lundin's books he reports POWs from WWII split wooden matches as many as six times. BTW, he was the one that taught me how to split a paper match... Go figure.
 
Very cool! thanks.
Matches are my favorite way to start a fire.
\ You should see my matchbook collection!!
 
WILLIAM.M said:
SEE 5:43

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv6EjpwF4ZY
Click to expand...

That's the way I've done it for decades. Strike obliquely. The SAS manual advises this also. The quality of wooden matches has gone severely downhill the last few years and I actually have better results with book matches ( provided they are dry.)
The older Eddy strike-anywhere matches that were around when I was young has these big fat heads on them and the phosphorous part on top was huge compared to these newer ones. They have become so pathetic some brands around here that I do not rely on them in the woods. Firesteel/Bic lighters only for me in the bush.:thumbup:
 
WILLIAM.M said:
SEE 5:43

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv6EjpwF4ZY
Click to expand...

I hadn't seen that video before, but have seen children taught to strike wooden matches that way as they push the match away from their body. While it is slightly safer, as I mention in my video there is an oportunity to flick material towards yourself. The way I demonstrate allows you to more quickly cup your hands and could be better for paper matches. Not a lot of difference in the principal; lets hope either way works when truly needed.


hiwa said:
That's the way I've done it for decades. Strike obliquely. The SAS manual advises this also. The quality of wooden matches has gone severely downhill the last few years and I actually have better results with book matches ( provided they are dry.)
The older Eddy strike-anywhere matches that were around when I was young has these big fat heads on them and the phosphorous part on top was huge compared to these newer ones. They have become so pathetic some brands around here that I do not rely on them in the woods. Firesteel/Bic lighters only for me in the bush.:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I am with you on wooden matches these days. The exception being the REI Stormproof matches. They are ALL THAT and have carried them for years.


[youtube]a8BY6AbHL9w[/youtube]​
 
abo4ster said:
I am with you on wooden matches these days. The exception being the REI Stormproof matches. They are ALL THAT and have carried them for years.
Click to expand...

Yeah, those are hard to beat. UCO is the new importer for them, so you can find them under their name a little more widely.
 
hiwa said:
That's the way I've done it for decades. Strike obliquely. The SAS manual advises this also. The quality of wooden matches has gone severely downhill the last few years and I actually have better results with book matches ( provided they are dry.)
The older Eddy strike-anywhere matches that were around when I was young has these big fat heads on them and the phosphorous part on top was huge compared to these newer ones. They have become so pathetic some brands around here that I do not rely on them in the woods. Firesteel/Bic lighters only for me in the bush.:thumbup:
Click to expand...


no kidding, i used to stuff about TEN of the old EDDY matches into a Scout match container, nowadays its more like 20 - 25 of the Red-Bird ones.....:grumpy:
 
abo4ster said:
I hadn't seen that video before, but have seen children taught to strike wooden matches that way as they push the match away from their body. While it is slightly safer, as I mention in my video there is an oportunity to flick material towards yourself. The way I demonstrate allows you to more quickly cup your hands and could be better for paper matches. Not a lot of difference in the principal; lets hope either way works when truly needed.




I am with you on wooden matches these days. The exception being the REI Stormproof matches. They are ALL THAT and have carried them for years.


[youtube]a8BY6AbHL9w[/youtube]​
Click to expand...

NICE... NICE...

you know i've always seen these but never really paid attention to them... i always figured they were some kind of gimmick you know... but wow.. .this video blew me off...

nice... thanks for posting... you learn something every day... no doubt about that...
 
The REI/UCO matches are the real deal. They light easier than the NATO matches, and will burn under any condition. If interested, shop around as the price range for the same item can vary by 3x. When you experiment with the first box do it outside! The first one I lit smoked out a full sized den - no joke. The other advantage of splitting a paper match is that you do not wind up with an igniting head melting it's way into your finger tip. I am sure many here have experienced this besides myself.
 
The UCO/REI matches are incredible. The only drawback I could ever find was that they are a hair too long to fit in standard plastic match cases. You just have to trim them a tiny bit.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
yup to the REI/UCO matches, K&M has a matchsafe just for the longer matches or fingernail clipper to length

matchsafecontents.jpg


another vid

[youtube]76Z3Dffcytk[/youtube]​
 
The problem I have with the "storm" matches is that once the coating has burned off, the match goes out. The wood stem just doesn't seem to catch. It does ignite violently, but briefly. Handy for starting a fire, not handy for indoors use or lighting a pipe, etc.

Strike anywhere's are getting hard to find, and I agree, are not of the quality they used to be.
 
Back when I smoked , I learned to hold the match between my middle and ring finger , in order to keep it cupped , to protect it from the wind. Never split one though.
 
Good video. I was taught a similar way. I was also taught to strike the match as close to the tinder you are lighting, as the match burns hottest when it is first lit.
 
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