Matches for PSK.

D

[digidude]

Joined
Aug 21, 2005
Messages
797
Im making myself a PSK [Pocket Survival Kit] and Im debating whether to include matches or not. I bought a nifty waterprood container for matches so Im wondering wether to use it or not.

Thoughts?


-dude
 
Okay... random thoughts.

Being redundant in fire-making gear is okay. You can use matches but you should also have ferroceum or a SparkLite or a mini-Bic.

If you're going to make your PSK watertight, the match case may end up being kind of redundant.

Why not make the neat match case a mini-PSK of its own?

That being said, I usually include four strike-anywhere matches in my Altoids PSKs. They form the base for winding fishing line or thread, and the whole bundle goes inside a ziplock bag.

Bear
 
My thoughts are that the average match isn't the best firestarter. They are at the mercy of wind, moisture and failure. Plus, they require both hands to use, if you include blocking wind. Like Bear, I used to keep (4) in my minikits. Now they hold BSA Hotsparks and a sparklite tinder. I carry a matchtube with compass in the lid as part of my EDC, but it doesn't contain matches. I've added a fishing/snare kit and sparklite tinder to the tube and carry it in a belt pouch with a Vic Hunter SAK and a BSA Hotspark. My larger kits (Belt pouch, shoulder bag and rucksacks) contain disposable adjustable lighters, sparklite firestarting kit and another type of tinder.
 
NATO matches.

Windproof, waterproof (burns underwater) and burns a long while.

Only drawback is they are not stike anywhere.

Skam
 
I'm not fond of matches, myself, and would prefer to use a ferro rod. However, I do think that matches have some advantages that are compelling enough to consider putting them into a kit, anyway. Perhaps the biggest advantage is that everybody is familiar with them. If you are incapacitated, and somebody else needs to use your kit to start a fire for you, there's a better chance that they'll be able to figure out how to do so using matches than a sparking rod.

--Mike
 
My preferences are (favorite listed first):

Lighter (easiest to use, lots of lights)
Sparker (prefer rods with no moving parts to ensure reliability)
Magnifier (tough to use for those not practiced, but simple too)
Matches (very few lights; I'd only use proven waterproof matches)

I think I'd spend more time focusing on my firestarter technology (either on hand or knowing where to find them in the field), than on whether to carry matches.
 
hmmm...if you ask me i would't use matches as a first option
I would prefer

Mag-ferr block starter/Spark-lit
Matches, nato
primative methods
 
Thank you all for your feedback,

My current fire starting line-up is
Bic Mini-lighter
Magnesium Flint fire starter
and... something else I havent decided yet.
 
If you decide on matches, forget the "strike anywhere" kind as well as the
"lifeboat" style and get yourself some REI Storm matches. Hands down the best matches I have ever used.

Just my 2 cents

Junkyard
 
Junkyard said:
If you decide on matches, forget the "strike anywhere" kind as well as the
"lifeboat" style and get yourself some REI Storm matches. Hands down the best matches I have ever used.
Junkyard
Click to expand...


REI matches over NATO? Huh? :o :foot:

NATO matches do everything REI matches will do including burn under water which REI's don't.

Best rethink that one.

Skam
 
I have paraffin coated large strike anywhere matches in mine. I also include several petroleum jelly coated cotton balls and a magnesium firestarter along w/ a bic lighter. I agree that redundancy is a great thing when it comes to firestarting. It's probably the most important function of your kit along w/ water purification and signal capablity.
 
Lobo103 said:
I have paraffin coated large strike anywhere matches in mine. I also include several petroleum jelly coated cotton balls and a magnesium firestarter along w/ a bic lighter. I agree that redundancy is a great thing when it comes to firestarting. It's probably the most important function of your kit along w/ water purification and signal capablity.
Click to expand...


Well said.

Skam
 
I've got to jump on the bandwagon with the rei matches. I haven't tested the burn under water with the nato matches, but I have tested the dip in water to extinguish flame and pull out and watch relight like a trick candle, and it works 4 or 5 times while the rei match is going. I"ll try the burn underwater thing this weekend, but until then, I'm keeping my rei matches over the nato matches. Easier to light (for me at least) and longer than the nato matches.
 
.....and another for REI matches although I have zilch experience with NATO brand.
 
Junkyard said:
Skam,
REI matches dont burn underwater?
thanks,
Junkyard
Click to expand...


That being established they are still a very good match those REI's.

I am torn however as to the overall utility and accountability of theses matches as I worry about loosing or getting wet the striker rendering these matches useless.

Maybe as LOBO has said the wax coated strike anywhere are the way to go.

I am going to have to relax have a couple beers and ponder this one haha. ;)

Skam
 
Does it really matter if your matches don't burn underwater? Has anyone tried lighting a log under a waterfall? :rolleyes: I understand that one may need to get a fire started in the pouring rain, but shouldn't one also get out of that rain first? I realize that once you're out of the rain, you'll need those matches to light, which is where the waterproofing comes in. I can even see still dripping water off your arms while lighting the matches, but this thread is getting a little silly. :p

Matt in Texas
 
Personnally, I preferr a standard sized bic lighter backed up by a magnesium bar with sparking insert, (hundreds if not thousands of fires each, as oposed to one per match) (at least untill one of your smoking friends "borrows" the lighter, lost 2 that way so far this summer) vaseline soaked cotton balls also make a fine pyromania accessory (poke 'em in a, large diameter, plastic straw section and fold the ends over to seal the grease inside). With a little practise the cotton balls can be ignited with the sparks from the insert without the use of magnesium shavings (much harder to ignite but burn much hotter)
Enjoy!
 
txmoonwolf said:
Does it really matter if your matches don't burn underwater? Has anyone tried lighting a log under a waterfall? :rolleyes: I understand that one may need to get a fire started in the pouring rain, but shouldn't one also get out of that rain first? I realize that once you're out of the rain, you'll need those matches to light, which is where the waterproofing comes in. I can even see still dripping water off your arms while lighting the matches, but this thread is getting a little silly. :p

Matt in Texas
Click to expand...

Being from Texas you obviously have never had to light a fire in a northern coastal frozen downpour. If you had you'd know why your comments are missguided.

Skam
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top