Match safes

I had one like Barberfobic showed, but absolutely hated it. I've been tempted to get a K&M or Silva but haven't jumped yet.

Here is an idea I came up with. I used my Foodsaver to make individula pockets for some REI "lifeboat" type matches and a striker then sealed them up. Light, flat, and waterproof. I have scattered these around my gear, including pinning one to the inside of my hat.

I think I'll rework these to include some wax-dipped cotton wicking so I'll have ready tinder in the same place.

-- FLIX

132950642_5Amyx-M.jpg
 
I have two of the old (pre-Chinese) Marble's classic safes, one old 1950s Boy Scout safe, two of the Cabela's safes, one old OD military plastic safe (somewhere), and a K&M.

I like the Marble's units because they're classic, light & compact, but I've heard they're not always 100% waterproof. I've carried mine, never dunked one.

The Scout safe was more of a nostalgia buy, never carried it.

The first Cabela's safe (copy of the K&M) was big, heavy, and the compass was junk. Cabela's sent a second one in a good faith effort to get me one that worked, the second compass was also junk. I have not carried either one, both would be waterproof, but they're big & heavy.

The old OD military safe (also pre-Chinese) was absolutely reliable in being watertight. Wish I could find it, current commercial ones look too cheap & I don't trust the O-ring.

Been carrying a brass K&M on outings this summer. Heavier than the aluminum K&Ms, but I like brass. Always neat to have a backup compass included as part of the safe, and unlike the Cabela's version this one works.

After using the K&M I was impressed enough to buy an aluminum one (lighter weight to encourage pocket carry) for an 11-year old nephew a month or so ago as part of the equipment I gave him for a Fire Making 101 session.
I noticed the head fits substantially tighter on my brass one than on his aluminum one, made sure he understood to keep his twisted till the cord's tight. On mine, I've never yet had the thing pop open in a pocket.

I will be buying more of the K&Ms. I don't hit the dirt without matches, a quality butane jet lighter (hotter & more directional than a BIC), and a fire steel. Backup to the backup to the matches.
Matches are used first, I grew up with them, don't have to prove anything by doing it the hard way, and all I need to do is get a fire going. :D

Denis
 
Flix,

Those little packets are a great idea. Pinning one to the inside of your hat is REALLY good. 8-)
 
Another fan of the K&M here. I have the green aluminum one.Its one of my favorite peices of kit! I have carried it in my pocket and in my pack and have never had it come open.
 
I found my old GI match safe the other day, forgot how small it was.
I use old pill bottles and 35mm film containers. Also depends on what size match you use too. Some of them are like toothpicks.
Did anyone see "Survivor" last week, they were using mag bars to start fire. They were chopping at the spark side with knives, one fool cut himself. Almost everyone was hitting or chopping with sharp side of knife, instead of dragging back side to create sparks.
 
35mm film canisters work well and have been waterproof enough for me! Plus they hold a lot of matches, and I have about 4 million of them from the film days!
 
misanthropist said:
35mm film canisters work well and have been waterproof enough for me! Plus they hold a lot of matches, and I have about 4 million of them from the film days!
Click to expand...

I also use film canisters. Very good and real cheap:).
I`ve also bought 3 plastic screw tops (left on the pic). They are cheap, take lots of matches and are boombproof:thumbup:.

Matchsafe.jpg


Tor
 
FLIX said:
I had one like Barberfobic showed, but absolutely hated it. I've been tempted to get a K&M or Silva but haven't jumped yet.

Here is an idea I came up with. I used my Foodsaver to make individula pockets for some REI "lifeboat" type matches and a striker then sealed them up. Light, flat, and waterproof. I have scattered these around my gear, including pinning one to the inside of my hat.

I think I'll rework these to include some wax-dipped cotton wicking so I'll have ready tinder in the same place.

-- FLIX

132950642_5Amyx-M.jpg
Click to expand...


Flix man, great idea! Thats pretty cool!
 
FLIX said:
I had one like Barberfobic showed, but absolutely hated it. I've been tempted to get a K&M or Silva but haven't jumped yet.

Here is an idea I came up with. I used my Foodsaver to make individula pockets for some REI "lifeboat" type matches and a striker then sealed them up. Light, flat, and waterproof. I have scattered these around my gear, including pinning one to the inside of my hat.

I think I'll rework these to include some wax-dipped cotton wicking so I'll have ready tinder in the same place.

-- FLIX

132950642_5Amyx-M.jpg
Click to expand...

This is an AWESOME idea! Another use for my food sealer.:thumbup:
 
I must get one, they look ESSENTIAL!

Years ago I just used an old cigar-tube with matches and bark tinder stuffed in there.Works alright too.
 
Lately since my lighter broke I've been using matches more...

I haven't bothered with a safe yet but I do have some empty plastic 10 gauge and 12 gauge shotgun shells. Cut the crimps off and the 12 ga shell will slide with a tight press fit right into the 10 ga hull. Dad says great grandpa always carried matches with him in that manner.
 
j williams said:
I have one of these Jeff, you will like it. Mine had a spool to wrap fishing line on inside of it too.

http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_...products_id=39

I also have a K&M alluminum one, and its a great piece of kit, I havent had any problems, and the compass is good.
Click to expand...

I have not recieved these yet but already feel confident I will do repeat business. I got a follow-up contact to thank me for the order and the order shipped promptly. Add to that, he's a BF-member:thumbup: and I like to support anoyone who supports the forum. Seems like a nice guy too. If I am not mistaken, this looks like the one that Cody Lundin shows in his book, 98.6...
I will share pics/opinion when I get the stuff. There were other things on the site worth looking at as well.:thumbup:
 
Man you arent jokin!! I lke the ferro-rod with the spy capsule attatched, and the peanut lighters, and......Man too much cool stuff!!!
 
the possum said:
...I do have some empty plastic 10 gauge and 12 gauge shotgun shells. Cut the crimps off and the 12 ga shell will slide with a tight press fit right into the 10 ga hull. Dad says great grandpa always carried matches with him in that manner.
Click to expand...

My Dad taught me the same thing. He sent me out to pick up old empties, I figured he was being a radical environmentalist when I was eight or nine years old. :D

My first matchsafe was just that type of rig. After I got into the Cubs and a short stint in the BSA, I had an Everdry, a metal mastchsafe similar to the Marbles...just a little different.
 
I bought a Nalgene 4 oz bottle at REI and it holds 2 packs of the REI stormproof matches and it has enough room for one of those small 1/2 inch compasses.
 
j williams said:
Man you arent jokin!! I lke the ferro-rod with the spy capsule attatched, and the peanut lighters, and......Man too much cool stuff!!!
Click to expand...

That rod with the capsule attached really caught my eye too, I've been trying to hand-craft something like that to no avail. Looks like a full size rod, too. :thumbup:

That's a really great site by the way, some neat little christmas gifts there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top