- Joined
- Mar 7, 2011
- Messages
- 49
Hi guys. Did this review last week but just now posting a review (sorry Vince, been busy).
I purchased the Exotac nanoStriker and Matchcap along with two boxes of stormproof matches from Vince. The products arrived very quickly and packaged well. After opening the box, I was surpirsed at how nice the manufacturer's box was for each product. The boxes were really like a presentation case made out of thick waxed sturdy cardboard. Opening the Exotac products, you are first amazed at the quality of the items themselves. Both are made of anodized aluminum which is aircraft grade. The colors are vibrant and sharp. Each box contained "extras", which included paracord, gitd caps, and extra o-rings and lighter pads for the matchcap. So far I am very impressed. I intend to use this products in the bush in Alaska this summer, so I decided to test everything first before I trust my well-being with it.
First test was using the nanoStriker to light a fire. The key to this with anything is having a good lighting source, whether that be kindle, paper, moss, leaves, straw, hay, etc. Whatever you can find in your environment that is dry. Upon unscrewing the striker part I noticed that the striker itself was pretty small. The rod seemed long enough, but I was worried it might be hard to get a good spark. First try on the rod, nothing. Second try, nothing. So, like a good consumer, I got the instructions out. It seemed my angle of the striker to the rod was not sharp enough, so I tried a third time with a tighter angle.....BOOM, lots of sparks. Immediately a nice fire was in its beginnings. I would caution that these sparks are VERY HOT so please be mindful of your skin and clothing. I give the nanoStriker an A+ after my test.
Second test was with the Matchcap. I did several tests in which I tried to see the extent of the waterproof ability of the matchcap. Using paper tissue rolled into the chamber and sealed tightly, I attempted to see of the tissue would indeed get wet under different scenarios. First I simply tossed it into the river attached to some fishing line. The cap did float to some extent, with about half of the vessel submerged. I retrieved the matchcap, opened the top, and it was indeed dry. This next time, I drenched the matchcap with a stream of water for several minutes simulating it being tied to your pack exposed to a rainstorm. Again, contents dry. Last test was the do-or-die: completely submerge the matchcap for several hours, as if it was in a container itself filled with rainwater or caught underneath water for an extended period of time. This test was conducted over several hours and the results were again, CONTENTS DRY. However, the "sandpaper" like striker points on the matchcap itself were compromised in the extended water exposure. The bottom or butt-cap area where there was a pad to light the matches almost completely peeled off. I would recommend removing this upon receipt of your matchcap and reinstalling with a waterproof loctite or other industrial grade superglue. Also, do not attempt to use the striker paper to light anything until absolutely dry, because the friction face of the paper will dissolve if scratched with a match when wet. Matchcap grade B+.
Last test was of the stromproof matches Vince sells. These matches boast all kind of traits, like being able to light under water, able to light while wet, 15sec burn times, etc. The matches come supplied in a normal match box. The matches themselves are bulky and black and orange coated on tips. I first tried to light the match on the internal dry striker pad in the matchcap....it took three tries but finally lit. Match does last about 15secs, but quickly makes its way to the middle of the match stem, making it difficult to hold on too after 5-7 secs. Next I submerged a match in water, gave it 5min to dry, and attempted to light it....tip tore off match first attempt. Repeated test, and this time it lit first try. I would say the longer these matches have to dry, the better chance you will have. Finally, I tried to light one under water with the matchcap butt cap area....no go. I also tried a sandpaper block under water to light it...no go either. You figure how to light undwer water, let me know. Furthermore If you have a good reason you are trying to light matches underwater and you are not a Navy Seal, please give me your story. Stormproof matches....C-. I personally will be using the nanoStriker and a back up weatherproof Zippo.
Hope this review is helpful to some. Please disregard grammatical errors as I am at work and trying to not get caught by "the man" while typing this. Post up if you have any questions.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010530.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010532.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010533.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010535.jpg
Knife pictured is a custom PML T.U.S.K.
Thanks everyone!
Ryan B.
I purchased the Exotac nanoStriker and Matchcap along with two boxes of stormproof matches from Vince. The products arrived very quickly and packaged well. After opening the box, I was surpirsed at how nice the manufacturer's box was for each product. The boxes were really like a presentation case made out of thick waxed sturdy cardboard. Opening the Exotac products, you are first amazed at the quality of the items themselves. Both are made of anodized aluminum which is aircraft grade. The colors are vibrant and sharp. Each box contained "extras", which included paracord, gitd caps, and extra o-rings and lighter pads for the matchcap. So far I am very impressed. I intend to use this products in the bush in Alaska this summer, so I decided to test everything first before I trust my well-being with it.
First test was using the nanoStriker to light a fire. The key to this with anything is having a good lighting source, whether that be kindle, paper, moss, leaves, straw, hay, etc. Whatever you can find in your environment that is dry. Upon unscrewing the striker part I noticed that the striker itself was pretty small. The rod seemed long enough, but I was worried it might be hard to get a good spark. First try on the rod, nothing. Second try, nothing. So, like a good consumer, I got the instructions out. It seemed my angle of the striker to the rod was not sharp enough, so I tried a third time with a tighter angle.....BOOM, lots of sparks. Immediately a nice fire was in its beginnings. I would caution that these sparks are VERY HOT so please be mindful of your skin and clothing. I give the nanoStriker an A+ after my test.
Second test was with the Matchcap. I did several tests in which I tried to see the extent of the waterproof ability of the matchcap. Using paper tissue rolled into the chamber and sealed tightly, I attempted to see of the tissue would indeed get wet under different scenarios. First I simply tossed it into the river attached to some fishing line. The cap did float to some extent, with about half of the vessel submerged. I retrieved the matchcap, opened the top, and it was indeed dry. This next time, I drenched the matchcap with a stream of water for several minutes simulating it being tied to your pack exposed to a rainstorm. Again, contents dry. Last test was the do-or-die: completely submerge the matchcap for several hours, as if it was in a container itself filled with rainwater or caught underneath water for an extended period of time. This test was conducted over several hours and the results were again, CONTENTS DRY. However, the "sandpaper" like striker points on the matchcap itself were compromised in the extended water exposure. The bottom or butt-cap area where there was a pad to light the matches almost completely peeled off. I would recommend removing this upon receipt of your matchcap and reinstalling with a waterproof loctite or other industrial grade superglue. Also, do not attempt to use the striker paper to light anything until absolutely dry, because the friction face of the paper will dissolve if scratched with a match when wet. Matchcap grade B+.
Last test was of the stromproof matches Vince sells. These matches boast all kind of traits, like being able to light under water, able to light while wet, 15sec burn times, etc. The matches come supplied in a normal match box. The matches themselves are bulky and black and orange coated on tips. I first tried to light the match on the internal dry striker pad in the matchcap....it took three tries but finally lit. Match does last about 15secs, but quickly makes its way to the middle of the match stem, making it difficult to hold on too after 5-7 secs. Next I submerged a match in water, gave it 5min to dry, and attempted to light it....tip tore off match first attempt. Repeated test, and this time it lit first try. I would say the longer these matches have to dry, the better chance you will have. Finally, I tried to light one under water with the matchcap butt cap area....no go. I also tried a sandpaper block under water to light it...no go either. You figure how to light undwer water, let me know. Furthermore If you have a good reason you are trying to light matches underwater and you are not a Navy Seal, please give me your story. Stormproof matches....C-. I personally will be using the nanoStriker and a back up weatherproof Zippo.
Hope this review is helpful to some. Please disregard grammatical errors as I am at work and trying to not get caught by "the man" while typing this. Post up if you have any questions.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010530.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010532.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010533.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/somcockyss/Knives and Gear/P1010535.jpg
Knife pictured is a custom PML T.U.S.K.
Thanks everyone!
Ryan B.
