Lousy NATO matches- what do you think?

Midnight Scout

Midnight Scout

Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
299
Hi guys,

I purchased some NATO wind and waterproof matches (NATO 9920-99-966-9432) through the Sportmans Guide. I was purchsasing a set of BDU pants and a military Mora and thought I would toss in a set of these too. (The Mora is still on back order :grumpy: ).

It started raining this afternoon and I wanted to take a break from some work I brought home for the weekend anyway, so I pulled out the new matches and some dryer lint to give the new matches a try. :)

The striker area on the top of the cannister deteriorated immediately. It must be defective. One drop got on it and the striker area started running like cheap dye. It was not even really that wet out and the rain was more of a mist by the time I got outside anyway. I pulled out a striker from a box set in my PSK and still no light and now the striker on the box set was getting destroyed too.

I finally pulled out the lighter and tried to light the match. I kept the match head in the flame of the lighter for a good while before it finally caught. Then it nearly exploded on me. It burned very fast. I figured that it might be a defective match, so I tried another one. Same thing happened.

I am glad that I tried them out before I put them in the PSK.

Anyone else have similar issues with the water and wind proof NATO matches? :confused:
 
I have had similar problems with NATO matches. Earlier this year, I opened a container of matches that couldn't have been more than 2 years old...only to find that they had all deteriorated. Like you, I'm glad I found out before I needed them in an emergency. The experience led me to explore the more primitive fire-starting options, which are darn near foolproof. Of course, there's always the handy Bic in my pocket.
 
I keep trying to use methods to start fire other than using the Bic, but each time the Bic keeps proving its worth. I am getting better with magnesium and the ferro rod, but the Bic is better. :D
 
They must have changed something. Years ago, they didn't suck. Starting about four, five years ago the started to.

Geez I feel old saying that.
 
Thats why I carry a Light my fire swedish firesteel army model ferro rod and a doan tool at all times.
 
Keep the case, get regular saftery matches if you cant get strike anywhere. Put a little cotton wool in the base of the container and put in the matches head first (you will take them out the right way) and glue a striker to the underside of the cap.

I agree the matches suck big time, but the little case is great.
 
When they do burn they burn furiously, like little flares, so have your tinder bundle ready!

The striker that's glued to the top of the container feels like fine grit sandpaper, no bite... combine that with the waterproof coating on the matches, I end up tearing through the striker and breaking matchsticks quite a bit

They should have designed a better striker and put it inside the cap, making sure all the matches were facing the other way, so that it would be truely weatherproof until needed.

What I ended up doing was breaking the seals and inserting a striker I cut off of a box of diamond matches, and it seems to work a little better.
 
I have had similar experiences with lifeboat matches which were a few years old. Hard to light and didn't burn very well, not as hot as an ordinary match although they burned much longer. The striker on top does seem to degrade quickly as well, making the matches hard to light.

Fresh ones seemed very good though. They really do burn under water!

Like many things I suppose, they need replacing frequently. When new I would think they could be a lifesaver in an emergency. Provided you aren't so cold that you can't get the sealing tab off before freezing.

My choice for longevity: firesteels + tinder (as has probably been mentioned once or twice on this forum already) and a Bic or two!

Rick.
 
REI's Storm Proof matches have a thumbs up from me. Worth the $ for a survival kit.
 
ironraven said:
They must have changed something. Years ago, they didn't suck. Starting about four, five years ago the started to.
Click to expand...

Yeah, because I doubt there would have been any hype about these things if they started out as lousy as the current production.

I'll still carry matches, but I am not going to rely on them.
 
Quiet Bear said:
REI's Storm Proof matches have a thumbs up from me. Worth the $ for a survival kit.
Click to expand...

:thumbup: :thumbup: And carry multiple fire starting options. I carry matches, firesteel and a butane lighter, as well as tinder.

Other firestarting materials that may be in your hiking kit:
toilet paper
alchohol get hand cleaner
DEET bug repellent
alchohol swabs from your first aid kit
solid fuel like Esbit

I would really like to see a product like a road flare in a container like a 35mm film can-- small, white hot, 5 minute burn.
 
Sportsman's Guide is owned by the French. They fail in everything. Go on the internet and type strike anywhere matches and you will get the company that bought the old Ohio Match Co. They will take an order and ship you strike anywhere matches in the Blue Ohio Match Boxes.
 
willowdog said:
bought the old Ohio Match Co. They will take an order and ship you strike anywhere matches in the Blue Ohio Match Boxes.
Click to expand...

I use to swear by these. I use to use them in my emergency kit but then I went to the box after a year or two and found not one match would light with the striker. I believe that a lot of matches are hygroscopic (just my belief). In high humidity over time they pull moisture out of the air they eventually become worthless. I stick with bic lighters or fire steel now. I even carry a butane lighter in my kit most of the time as well. I also carry a couple of petroleum jelly soaked cotton balls and fluff from a cattail.

KR
 
The REI matches lit after I soaked them in water and burned well, but I do not know how the striker would hold up.
 
DaleW said:
I would really like to see a product like a road flare in a container like a 35mm film can-- small, white hot, 5 minute burn.
Click to expand...

I think the REI storm matches are what you're looking for. Won't burn for 5 minutes, but they burn for awhile and nothing seems to put them out. Well worth the $$$$. Now I gotta test the NATO ones, bought them because they were cheaper, may not such a good idea

I had the same experience as Any Cal. Soaked the match in water (so was I), made a crappy tepee of tinder, twigs, sticks etc and lit it up with a couple of those matches. The matches dried everything out and started the fire going strong:thumbup:

The strikers held up to the initial soaking, but I have to test them now that they're dried out. I want to try lighting one of these up off of a brass match safe. Don't think that'll work.
 
willowdog said:
Sportsman's Guide is owned by the French. They fail in everything. Go on the internet and type strike anywhere matches and you will get the company that bought the old Ohio Match Co. They will take an order and ship you strike anywhere matches in the Blue Ohio Match Boxes.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll give it a try. I agree with others that you should have more than one way to start a fire. I carry the Bic, fire steel, and matches, but I really want the best quality matches out there. These NATO onces were a big disappointment.

The French own SG Co.?!?!??!? :eek:
 
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