Super exciting review on... matches

Good video :D

The result was just as expected. The regular strike-pads arent worth much when damp. Always carry a backup pad somewhere dry.
 
Yeah seeing that the striker is backed with cardboard, I didn't expect much. What would be great is if manufacturers could come up with a sturdier plastic backed striker that could be dried off and wouldn't fall apart. I was happy with how fast the soaked match still lit though.
 
Where are you getting them in the case? One of the biggest drawbacks is due to their longer length is that there is few vaults to hold them.
 
I picked it up at REI, their website also has it and I think Amazon had them as well including the OD green casel.


The music is the Rambo theme, I thought it went well with the video :D
 
We got them in a little while back. It's not super sexy looking, but the case is cheap and comes filled with some awesome matches.
 
Just ordered some, and read that the case will hold 40. I have an Exotac but dislike the small capacity.
 
40 sounds a wee bit optimistic looking at the first pics posted here- you'll want to have a sealed pair of strikers in there as well and they take some room
 
I have been using the NATO/British Lifeboat Matches for about 25 years. Bought my first batch through Brigade Quartermasters Catalog. Every kid that liked camping and stuff in the 80s, that was their wishbook. :D

Bought the first batch of REI matches about four or five years ago. Best matches I have ever bought. The British Lifeboat Matches were always quirky, you have to pop-stroke them, but they were the absolute best...until these came along.

"Hurricane" brand matches and the rest of them were never even 50% as good as the Brit Matches. But these UCOs are that much better than the Brits!

Pretty cool that they are selling them with a matchsafe now, too.
 
Wow, that REI website is evil. I was trapped in there for about 30 minutes. I had to escape, or I never would have left!
 
REI Stormproof matches are the bomb.

They are the only matches in my kit, along with a Bic and firesteel.
 
Plus they make good mosquito repellant. I lit my first one inside my den and it smoked out the entire room!
 
I just got two in the mail today. I do not see how anyone could possibly get 40 in the case, even with a 50/50 heads up and down. I found it interesting that they are made in India. I dont believe my old REIs state where they are made. Still like it though. 25 of those rascals with a total of three strikers would make a few fires.
 
Yeah that 40 thing is way too optimistic. Keeping the extra strikers in there I bet 30 would be the limit. But for a normal backpacking trip 25 is plenty and still leaves many spares for emergencies. I still need to go back and get more because I am having fun playing with them and have used quite a few :cool:
 
Loved the music!!:cool: Seen it was from Rambo, I guess thats why it hit a nerve. Nice video, thanks for the info, added to my want list, which is much too long.:D
 
I was wrong. Putting the matches 50/50 heads up and down, I was able to fit forty. But this is without the spare strikers. I removed the external striker, placed it striker surface against the inside surface of the container sandwiched between the spares and case, and still got 32 in it. One interesting note is that the strikers are shorter than the boxed matches. Good case for some great matches.
 
hiwa said:
Let us know how it goes :D

I've had my eyes peeled for those around here. None around yet. That yellow case they come in looks alright. I am wondering if the striker strip on the side becomes wet , can you dry it off and still strike one?
Click to expand...

hiwa,

I was in Lee Valley, yesterday, in Ontario and they had them - both the case and matches and matches alone. They aren't shown on the website, though.

Doc
 
"You then proceeded to throw away your matches, pulled out your firesteel and lit your fire, correct?"

Hehe, couldn't resist. Kidding aside, so far I've only ever been stuck when cutting fuel wood. While my buddy hiked up to the road to get a signal and call his wife, the gas/oil mix from the chainsaw and a cordless hair dryer(his idea) got some snow dusted sticks to light just fine.
 
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