Matches or lighter?

S

Stoned_elf

Joined
Oct 9, 2001
Messages
21
I always hear people saying the have matches in their survival packs/cmping gear and not lighters. Is there any reason for this ? can't think of one. As far as I can see a decent lighter (eg Zippo) is cheaper in the long run (You buy the lighter once and fuel isn't too bad) doesn't get soaking wet and stop working (Well not as easily) and gives a better flame (lasts longer) also you can get those super-lighters which will solder and presumably light anything so why do people still use matches ? also a flint and steel might be good as a back up as wont run out ne time soon or get wet and doesn't need to much skill to use once your used to them.
 
..I believe in Triple-Redundancy.

The olny reason I could see for matches over lighters is that maybe over time the lighters can "leak". I dunno.

But, I carry matches, lighters, and the Magnesium bars in all my kits.
 
I've been a pretty regular outdoorsman over the last 17 years or so, and I haven't carried or used matches. To me, triple redundancy means having a lighter, a back up lighter, and a ferrocium rod.

The only possible advantage I can think of with matches is that you can hold on to it farther from the flame. With most lighters, your thumb has to be within a small fraction of an inch from the flame. With a normal match, you can have your finger perhaps an inch further from the flame. I suppose that people who are afraid of the explosive moment of ignition designed into lighting most camping stoves, they might choose to use matches for the greater distance between their fingers and the conflagration.
 
Yeah I saw the Mg things r they ne good ? I was thinking of getting one but thought they would probably turn out to be just another of those things with big promises small delivery. I would be very supprised if a zippo leaked and you could carry spare fuel any way did think less chance of a match exploding in your pack but I wouldn't expect that from a zippo either.
 
The problem with zippo lighters is that they run out of fuel relatively quickly (3 or 4 days, if I recall from my smoking days), and the fuel evaporates, so they run out of fuel whether you use them or not. They also have a distressing tendancy to be empty just when you need them most. Disadvantages aside, I've lost a few, but never broken one. I still have one, but I use a bic when I need fire fast.

Patrick
 
What is the verdict on the refilable butane lighters? I personally like them. For me they have all the benifits of the Zippo, but they don't run out of fuel as quickly. And they put out a seriously hot flame. They tend to be harder to find than the Zippos and the throw-away butanes, and if you lose things often, you are out of some bucks, but they seem to deliver.
 
I believe in triple protection, too. My take on the topic is:

1. Swedish FireSteel Ferro Rod, primary;
2. BIC Lighter, secondary;
3. Fresnel Lens, backup.

It seems unlikely that I'd be able to wear out a Firesteel in my lifetime, the fresnel lens won't wear out, and BICs are easily replaceable.

For tinder, I carry a supply of vaseline impregnated cotton balls in film canisters. Each one burns approx 6 minutes, and I haven't failed to start a fire with them yet - even in some near torrential storms.

Mike
 
Do you make up the cotton balls yourself or buy them ? If you make em how do you get the vaseline to soak in surely it is too thick.
 
Stoned,

I melt the vaseline in a very old small fry pan that my g.f. was going to throw away. Once melted, I dip the cotton balls in the fluid and use a spoon to ensure that the entire ball gets impregnated.
I use two spoons together to squeeze out excess vaseline and immediately place a completed firestarter in an awaiting film canister. Each canister holds 6 completed firestarters. Canisters can usually be acquired free from any local photo developer - they usually just throw them away.

Mike
 
sgtmike88:

Have you started fires with a fresnel lens? If so, could you please go into some detail about how you did this? I have been able to use fresnel lenses and regular magnifying glasses to burn holes through my tinder, but cannot seem to get the tinder to actually light.

Thanks.
 
If you saw the first episode of Survivor III, you'd have seen a classic lens started fire. They used dried material (I think it was dung) which had been fluffed up to allow for oxygen intake. Once the lens had produced smoke (which indicates an ember) they picked up the bundle and carefully blew into the bundle to induce the ember to produce flame. I've only used birds nest with this method on a couple of occassions. On both occassions, I had bright direct sunlight and optimum conditions.

Mike

PS ... with the fresnel lens, use the ribbed side towards the sun.
 
It isn't necessary to melt the vasiline for the cotton balls. I just grab a hunk of cotton in one hand and a hunk of vasiline in the other and then knead them together for a while. You just have to experiment to get the right amount of dried fluffed cotton to turn into the size ball you want. Mine end up about 1/2" across and burn for 5+ minutes. Very easy.

To light it, just touch it with a match, or if using a ferrocium rod, fluff the ball up a bit first by teasing it apart to better catch sparks.
 
Strips of rubber tire/innertube make great tinder- light easily even when wet, burn fierce, and are compact.
 
Burning rubber sounds like a great idea ! Then I can use rottern eggs to clean my equipment garlic and onion paste to freshen my breath and cow **** to build a shelter :barf: . Okay maybe it would work but is would stink I like the vaseline balls idea better :p .
 
Hurricane matches, a bic, a magneseum bar and a candle. I take them all. They don't take up much room or weight and they are priceless.

What is a fresnel lens and where do you get one? I have alway wanted a good fire starting lens.

Belay that question.

I did a search and found out that they are those cheap plastic sheets that have been in bookstores for ages. I bought one (4"x5") on our weekly run to the bookstore today for a couple of bucks and held it over a handful of dry tinder when I got home. Holy moly, it lit up into flame in seconds! The big intense focus spot is incredible. Before this with a normal lens I only got lots of smoke like another poster here. I was never able to light a fire with a lens. Thank you Sgtmike88 for bringing this valuable tool that weighs nothing and takes no space to our attention.
 
I cary matches, but they are mostly to light my pipe. I prefer to carry a Windmill Stormproof lighter. They are waterproof to about 10 feet, have an adjustable flame, are very light, don't leak fuel, and you can light a smoke on a motercycle going 60 MPH. Hmmmmm. Shouldn't be smoking and riding.
I usually carry two and a magnesium/flint strip. One lighter in my pocket and another in the survival kit.
The only drawback to lighters is altitude, some don't work at very high altitude so pilots who might crash in mountainous areas prefer matches.
 
Originally posted by BoyNhisDog
<snip>I bought one (4"x5") on our weekly run to the bookstore today for a couple of bucks and held it over a handful of dry tinder when I got home. Holy moly, it lit up into flame in seconds! The big intense focus spot is incredible. <snip>
Click to expand...

On the one time "Antics and Mayhem" page which used to be hosted by SGI, there were pictures of what you can do with a BIG lens - The guy bought the 3 FOOT model from Edmund Scientific. Want to melt steel cans, catch pavement on fire? It'll do it
 
I left a lighter in a small open boat, for four days once. When i got back, the spring had rusted away. It had been exposed to salt water prior to that. It was one of those "1" brand disposable lighters. A common brand of disposable lighters in Europe, and quite good lighters IMHO.

That said I prefer lighters to matches.

NILS
 
I'm a baby bic fan; two are no bigger than a box of matches, Ialways carry two. I also carry a Swedish fire/steel. However, the jet lighters or gas soldering irons are the fasted way to start a fire.

Vasalene cotton balls work great as does Maya high resin wood sticks. You can always pull a bullet if out shooting and use the charge. We don't get enough sun here to be worth carrying a magnifying glas.
 
I'm a smoker and my EDC is a Zippo and a Bic. Carrying both is a habit I got into when I was a pot smoker and I preferred the Zippo for cigs & joints, but with a pipe or bong a Zippo is a no-no, so I carried a Bic as well. Quit smoking pot a few years ago, but still smoke Marlboro Reds and the 2 lighter habit just stuck with me. Sometimes I'll toss a book of matches into my jacket pocket "just in case," but they only get used if someone I don't know wants to borrow fire. If I'm going to be away from the house for more than a day, or if I'm going to a concert, rave, or party, I'll take an extra Bic or two. If I'm going camping I'll take a handfull of Bics, a handfull of matchbooks, and extra Zippo fluid, but I usually just use the Zippo.
 
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