New twist on the "Tinder Straw"

[abo4ster]

I like having the Petroleum Jelly, Cotton mixture in my survival kit having both a film canister and using the drinking straw methods. I was making some new "tinder straws" when I had a thought...

I added a strike anywhere match into the end of the straw. I wrapped the match stick with cotton and jelly too. I did not cover the match head in cotton, but did put a coating of jelly on it. Sealed the whole thing inside the straw, match and all. It worked great. Cut the end of the straw exposing the match head then light. I ran water over the match that was lightly covered in jelly and it still lit. I then submerged a strike anywhere match with a light coating of jelly in water for five minutes, and it too still lit.

I just made these today, will be curious to see if the PJ will soften the match head over time. If it does, at least I will still have tinder I can hit with a spark.

Anybody else try this or know if the match head will sucumb to the PJ? I guess I could always dip the match head in wax.

 

[BlairB]

Good idea, Quiet Bear!

 

[JD Mandrell]

Anybody else try this or know if the match head will sucumb to the PJ? I guess I could always dip the match head in wax.

Yes, when I put PJ on strike anywhere matches and left them for a month, the head had turned soft and would not light.

Sealing them in wax first might work though you might want to seal the entire match not jsut the head.

 

[2dogs]

This should be a great thread to follow. This is what this forum is all about.

 

[ERdept]

Yes, when I put PJ on strike anywhere matches and left them for a month, the head had turned soft and would not light.

Sealing them in wax first might work though you might want to seal the entire match not jsut the head.

I thought the same as well. Petroleum jelly gets into stuff in time and I'd anticipate it making the match head mushy.

Maybe a long term test is in order.