Match safes

Stomper said:
I made one out of an old AA Mini Maglight. I cut it down to the length I wanted, machined a teflon plug to slightly oversize of the I.D. of the tube, then used JB Weld and pressed into place. Works like a charm.
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Brilliant!!! :thumbup:
 
I have a red annod alluminum one mtnfolk mike gave me that I use Its too short for the REI stormproof matches, so I trimmed them with some nail clippers to fit in it. Its a nice one.
 
I tend to place really important things like firemaking equipment in a more secure setting, like being nestled in webbing or other types of pockets like you see in Maxpedition Gear. :::knock on wood::: I have not had the K&M come apart yet. I think it's rather flimsy to infer that they are only good for clamor shots on internet forums, however.

The Cabela's matchsafe you have is built like the K&M probably because it is a K&M or a ripoff of a K&M as I think they used to make them for Cabela's and a couple other retailers.

I have the currently available, well, as of three years ago, Silva matchsafe and it is a screw on rig.

I think if anyone has the K&M and they don't trust the method for securing it, that's why someone invented Gorilla Tape or Gaffer's Tape. I wish I could afford a large roll of Gaffer's, that's excellent stuff but the Gorilla Tape is awesome as well. Wind a couple feet around it and you have some more emergency gear as well with which to patch things...
 
The black match safe in my first post is a Silva and it screws on. It has only one O-ring, but has never failed. Don and kgd's idea about tape seems like a good one, but I've never had a problem. If your K&M plug style cap falls out, you might consider putting a thin, really thin, layer of wax or parafin on the O-rings. You may also need to replace the O-rings.
 
Yeah, and not only that, I was also talking about glamor shots but instead ended up posting about taking pictures of matchsafes and other gear with clams, i.e., "clamor" shots...which is also something that is rather unpleasant to observe on a forum. :D
 
I snapped a pic of a few other match safes (I can't insert a pic, just attach; sorry :o).

The grey hinged plastic case is a current favorite. It is thin and can be worn around the neck or rides in a shirt pocket easily. Right now I have storm matches and strike anywhere matches in it with some cotton balls. Might replace the cotton with some waxed jute. It has a rubber gasket and is supposed to be waterproof, but in writing this I realized I've never tested it. :foot:

The big black match safe has a screw-in top with an O-ring seal. It is made of steel which does make it heavy. On the plus side, there is a decent blade attached to the bottom (Kind of a fuel gathering device built right in!). :D

The little stainless match safe is the oldest one I own. It works, but I find it a bit cumbersome to use. It is sometimes the back up to the back up. :thumbup:

Thanks for the input--you guys have given me some great ideas.
 

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j williams said:
Hey Rotte, just use the handle of that reeve for your matchsafe!:)
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I think that`s what he was referring to here.

The big black match safe has a screw-in top with an O-ring seal. It is made of steel which does make it heavy. On the plus side, there is a decent blade attached to the bottom (Kind of a fuel gathering device built right in!).
 
I might have missed it, but Nalgene pill bottles work great for matches (and the matches aren't concerned about the health hazards :rolleyes:)

Doc
 
I save my matches for times when it might be just so bad that I can't get something going with a ferro-rod, but nothing beats a spark on a piece of char cloth in the wind - not the ferro-rod, lighters, or matches. OK, plus I just get a kick out of doing some things "the hard way," but practice, practice and practice, is what gets you through. Who needs practice striking a match? OK, dumb question. I do know pwople who cannot stricke a match. I guess I carry matches for "good luck."

The cheap, blaze orange, plastic match safes are tough to beat. They will also hold two CR123As or a LOT of PJCBs. They are light, float and very visible. At their cost, they are a "no-brainer" for a myriad of uses.

K&M, of course. Yes, you can buy twenty plastic ones for the cost of a K&M, but they just have so much class. My original K&M never comes open on its own but seems to form a slight vacuum over time once closed. There is an article on K&Ms site regarding the "knock-offs," even if they are from a company with a decent reputation. No personal experience in that but I choose to support K&M as long as their product is available. They make an excellent gift, even if someone already has one, or any other match safe.
http://www.kmmatchcase.com/index.html

I found this one recently, which I had been looking for for some time. There is another site that carries them in assorted colors for $2.00/ea. but their shipping starts at $10.:eek: I just ordered a mess of these, this morning, and other items on the site for Christmas gifts. They have a great selection of ferro-rods as well, but, back on-topic - this looks like a nice little match case that is pretty cheap. I will share a review when I get them.
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=39

Prescription drug vials are also very good for this, but, in my mind the most expensive of all match safes, ranging from $4/ea. to $150/ea.:eek: If you've got 'em, use 'em. At that price, it's unthinkable to throw them away unless the sight of them is a reminder of a very bad part of your life.
 
I always carry a lighter, firesteel, and matches. As for match safes, I broke down and bought one of those K&M safes. It works very well. I also have a couple of those cheapo wal-mart orange plastic ones tucked in various bags. They have never failed to keep everything waterproof.
 
Yup, the cheap, blaze orange, plastic match safes are great. Funny how most of us here seem to use matches as a back up fire starter method....you know you are a W&SS member when:D
 
hey Hollowdweller, if you bought yours from Cabellas it IS NOT a K&M, it's chinese ripoff, Cabellas has stopped selling them.

Talfuchre, shoot me an email about that safe if you can- lecherojr@yahoo.com
thanks
 
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Thanks guys- my arm was twisted to the point that I had to order a couple K&M match safes.
 
I have 2, the aluminum one is super light, and the the brass one is heavier but classic looking.
I don't really use matches but I stuffed the aluminum one with pjcb's.
The cap seems to fit great, to me.
 
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