Waterproofing strike-anywhere matches?

I have waterproofed strike anywhere matches for many years. While the cost is minimal and the benefit of being a "stike anywhere" is a plus, I don't rely on them as my only match.

Reason being is as I have had failures on occasion when visiting the matchcase. Even when they do work properly, they don't "hold a candle" (pun intended) to the REI Stormproof matches. Worth the money IMO.

Found this on youtube...

[youtube]a8BY6AbHL9w[/youtube]​
 
Switchblade61 said:
What brand of strike anywhere matches are you using?
Click to expand...

Diamond.

Interesting that you brought that up... I never even considered the brand choice because Diamond is the only brand of strike-anywhere matches I've ever seen! I can remember seeing some matches with blue heads a time or two, but I think they were the strike-on-the-box type....


Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I also found that wax softens the match head. To waterproof strike anywhere matches I lay them out in rows on aluminum foil. I spray the whole batch with shellac. Let them dry. Spray again. Turn every match over and repeat the process. One advantage of the aerosol spray is that it waterproofs the whole stick, not just the head. I’ve had matches still work years after that treatment.
 
desmobob said:
Diamond.

Interesting that you brought that up... I never even considered the brand choice because Diamond is the only brand of strike-anywhere matches I've ever seen! I can remember seeing some matches with blue heads a time or two, but I think they were the strike-on-the-box type....


Stay sharp,
desmobob
Click to expand...

I have no experience with the Diamond brand. I have tried and found absolutely useless the Red Bird brand. I have blue headed strike anywhere matches from Europe and they work flawlessly. They don't have the usual white spot in the center of the match-head. I believe there was something similar in the US called "Ohio blue".
 
I used to use wax from whatever candle mom had around as a kid and that worked just fine.

Recently my dad and I were in a little competition seeing who could find the cheapest strike anywhere matches (all Diamond brand).

I found a large box at the pro shop at Bennett Spring State Park for $1.09. I was in SA match heaven. :D
 
I just drug out the "stuff" for my wood stove for this winter,including a box of diamond wtrike anywere matches. These were just stored in my basement since last spring sometime. Not a single one of the several dozen matches I tried would light on anything including the box striker. I mention this only because we all should know that most things dont work as well as they used to once they/we get old. Perhaps that can explain part of the op's problem?
 
Skip the wax. Ive used the nail polish, but like somebody said here above you will need to coat the whole match to be 100%.

IMO the best way to have waterproof matches is to have a good waterproof match case with a striking surface glued into the cap AND at least one or two other fire starters.

When I go backpacking I always have at least three different tools to start a fire:
1. Lighter
2. Matches
3. Magnifying glass
 
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