Survival matches?

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,135
Which are the best weatherproof matches between these two? If I'm missing any, let me know.

REI Storm Proof Matches (Made in China)
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OR


NATO Lifeboat Matches (Made in England)
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Thanks!
 
I tried the NATO matches several years ago (like 20) and could never get them to light. I would strike them and they would hiss and smoke but never burst into flame. I have read that to get them to light it requires what was described as a "pop and strike" technique. I have not tried to light them this way though.
I did buy some of the REI matches recently and had no problems getting them to light and they burned quite well.

You might check out the Wilderness fourm for more info on these.

Bruceter
 
Matches are a pain and you run out of them quick when the starter is wet. I prefer new ferrocerium flints and a knife or metal chip. Magnesium rod included here is also even better.
 
The REI ones are amazing (from India by the way). You can light it, dunk it under water, and the flame will pop up again. They burn for about 15 seconds no matter what.

They also include extra strikers that are heat sealed so that if the box gets destroyed, you still have a viable striker for the matches.
 
Thanks for all the advice. The matches are just part of a small kit that I'm putting in the handle of a Chris Reeve knife. I already have a 2 1/2" X 1/4" firesteel blank and hacksaw striker. Just wanted a few high quality matches to mix it up a bit. :thumbup:
 
TAH said:
Thanks for all the advice. The matches are just part of a small kit that I'm putting in the handle of a Chris Reeve knife. I already have a 2 1/2" X 1/4" firesteel blank and hacksaw striker. Just wanted a few high quality matches to mix it up a bit. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I presume were talking CRK one piece here ?

I used to carry a set up like the one in the picture, but I found if you just take the matches (even normal matches)
and wrap them in the "kindling pads" then seal it in a drinking straw it works perfectly. it leaves a bit of room for other
stuff too if you do it that way. For "kindling" I use some of those pads my girlfriend uses to take her makeup off with.

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Yep, it's for a new Mark VI. It's my second OPR knife. The other is a Mountaineer 1! :thumbup:
 
NATO is crap. Very difficult to light and usually break in the process. REI's are easy to light, burn for a long time and are pretty much impervious to wet/wind.
 
eomeo said:
The REI ones are amazing (from India by the way). You can light it, dunk it under water, and the flame will pop up again. They burn for about 15 seconds no matter what.

They also include extra strikers that are heat sealed so that if the box gets destroyed, you still have a viable striker for the matches.
Click to expand...

:thumbup::thumbup: yep i have a few packs myself. well worth the $$ for damp or wet conditions
 
IMO, REI Storm Matches are the best emergency fire starting matches made. I have tried and used all that I know of including the life boat matches, waxed strike anywhere matches and others. As far as matches go, there is no match! (I still use a ferrocium rod most of the time, but those matches saved me one winter in Wyoming so I ALWAYS bring some along.
 
No experience with the NATO matches, but as has been said already, the REI stormproof matches are just beastly. Almost like little short-lived flares.... They light fine after a complete dunking :thumbup:
 
Well, after all of that, I ended up buying both matches. :rolleyes:

NATO's are much smaller, which allows for more to be carried in a hollow handle knife. :)

Both lit on first strike easily. :thumbup:

While lit, I submerged both under water for 2 seconds. :p

The REI re-lit right away. Impressive! :eek:

The NATO took a little longer :yawn:, but did re-light. :D

REI burns longer, but that's just because they're bigger. I guess size does matter. :o
 
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