matchcase: brass vs aluminum

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I already have a really nice brass KM match case and I'm going to pick up a second one. Other than weight and color, are there any differences between the brass and aluminum?
 
oxidizing, brass will eventually oxidize if not kept up. Aluminum will not, but who cares, pick the one that catches your eye.
 
I have both but EDC aluminum one becouse is lighter and mor confortable in my pocket becouse that
 
If you are going to use it in sub freezing temperatures get the brass, for several reasons: 1) Microscopically aluminum has a rough surface that cannot be polished out. 2) Aluminum is softer and more susceptible to damage. 3) Brass is self-lubricating, aluminum rubbing on aluminum, especially in the cold tends to be "grabby" (see point#1). 4)The expansion and contraction of the materials has shows the brass to be much more stable.
Dan
 
Skimo is right - but not quite right in this application. Aluminum does indeed oxidize, but because all of the K&M match cases come annodized - they will not oxidize.

Dan K has the rest right on the money.

TF
 
Get a couple of the blaze orange plastic ones.

I have had both the brass and the aluminum both nice but the plastic ones are cheaper and better I think. (unless you don't carry a compass )
 
hollowdweller said:
Get a couple of the blaze orange plastic ones.

I have had both the brass and the aluminum both nice but the plastic ones are cheaper and better I think. (unless you don't carry a compass )
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Do KM make plastic ones? If they do can you email me a link to where you got them?
Or do you mean those Coughlan blaze orange match safes?
The plastic Coughlans seem pretty good considering how inexpensive they are.
I have one of the Coughlan Marbles-knockoff brass match-cases as well which seem decent.
I still think i'm going to get a KM though.
Like the lanyard hole, the texture (for striking) and the compass.
Been wanting one since Brian posted a pic of one in that matches thread i started a while back.
 
Yeah the couglin ones with the little flint embedded in the bottom.

I had a K and M and because the lid does not screw on the case kept getting tossed around in my pack and the matches would fall out or get wet. Plus there are those darn strings that get tangled in everything.:thumbdn:

The compass is very nice on the K and M though:thumbup:
 
Talfuchre said:
Skimo is right - but not quite right in this application. Aluminum does indeed oxidize, but because all of the K&M match cases come annodized - they will not oxidize.

Dan K has the rest right on the money.

TF
Click to expand...

The K&M is anodized, but that will eventually wear and get scratched off, exposing the bare aluminum. This areas will oxidize, but for the most part it's just cosmetic, unless it happens inside the mouth of the tube. I have both, the brass one is still on it's first o-rings. The aluminum binds on the o-rings if not slightly lubricated, and I have torn one that I replaced. The brass one is as slick as ice where it seals up, even better than new. Both are pretty beat up, but the brass one looks good, like an old seasoned dutch oven or well used carbon blade with a deep patina: classy. Both are tough, and well built, the brass one heirloom quality, IMO.
 
I went with the brass one and don't regret it. It is my backup to my GoingGear fire steel.


Now I'm thinking about SuperGluing a GG Fire Steel to my KM.
 
Then I suppose brass it is, though we don't get much sub-freezing out here in San Diego.

Edit: I just had a thought. Wouldn't the "grabby" texture of aluminum make the case seal better i.e. less likely to twist open?
 
The plastic orange match containers are junk if you want to ford a stream or raft. KM though is waterproof. I took mine to my dive shop and depth tested mine to ~200(IIRC the exact dept) feet in a hyperbaric chamber full of water for an hour and there was no leakage at all.

I have never had an issue with the cap on the KM coming open. Just pull the string tight, twist the cap and it stays very secure.
 
actiondiver said:
The plastic orange match containers are junk if you want to ford a stream or raft. KM though is waterproof. I took mine to my dive shop and depth tested mine to ~200(IIRC the exact dept) feet in a hyperbaric chamber full of water for an hour and there was no leakage at all.

I have never had an issue with the cap on the KM coming open. Just pull the string tight, twist the cap and it stays very secure.
Click to expand...

Interesting. My experience has been the exact opposite.:thumbup:
 
hollowdweller said:
Yeah the couglin ones with the little flint embedded in the bottom.

I had a K and M and because the lid does not screw on the case kept getting tossed around in my pack and the matches would fall out or get wet. Plus there are those darn strings that get tangled in everything.:thumbdn:

The compass is very nice on the K and M though:thumbup:
Click to expand...
Wow now I'm confused.
Isn't the end with the compass threaded so that it screws into the body the same way an endcap on a maglite screws into the flashlight?
If not then how does the compass lid stay attached to the body?
I was looking at the pics at bensbackwoods and i though the endcap was threaded?
I've seen the lanyard attached to it in pics but i was figuring on ditching that and carrying it on a chain or keyring.
So the lanyard is what keeps the cap on?
Hmmm ok i'm putting my order on hold then.
 
tholiver said:
Wow now I'm confused.
Isn't the end with the compass threaded so that it screws into the body the same way an endcap on a maglite screws into the flashlight?
If not then how does the compass lid stay attached to the body?
I was looking at the pics at bensbackwoods and i though the endcap was threaded?
I've seen the lanyard attached to it in pics but i was figuring on ditching that and carrying it on a chain or keyring.
So the lanyard is what keeps the cap on?
Hmmm ok i'm putting my order on hold then.
Click to expand...


I don't know about the new ones. The one I had was from about 5 years ago maybe. It had a plug with O rings that was held in place by these little strings.

I gave the aluminum K and M away but I still have a brass one with compass same type came from Cabelas? Maybe it's a Silva?

Anyway I'm going to be gone all next week but if you want the brass one I'd be happy to send it to you free of charge. That way if it works for you good. If not you wouldn't be out any $$

If you want it leave me your addy in the visitor message thingie.:thumbup:
 
tholiver said:
Wow now I'm confused.
Isn't the end with the compass threaded so that it screws into the body the same way an endcap on a maglite screws into the flashlight?
If not then how does the compass lid stay attached to the body?
I was looking at the pics at bensbackwoods and i though the endcap was threaded?
I've seen the lanyard attached to it in pics but i was figuring on ditching that and carrying it on a chain or keyring.
So the lanyard is what keeps the cap on?
Hmmm ok i'm putting my order on hold then.
Click to expand...

If you are in shock or your hands are frozen, unthreading the cap on your match safe can be a problem. The lid of the K M match case slides on. Then you twist it until the lanyard spirals tight around the body. That’s what holds it closed. That’s easier to open when you are in bad shape and you need a fire right now.
 
Raymond1000 said:
If you are in shock or your hands are frozen, unthreading the cap on your match safe can be a problem. The lid of the K M match case slides on. Then you twist it until the lanyard spirals tight around the body. That’s what holds it closed. That’s easier to open when you are in bad shape and you need a fire right now.
Click to expand...

That makes sense.

But wouldn't doing the string reqire more fine manipulation than turning the lid?
 
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