Water proof matches idea

[vontar]

As I am building my 3 day pack I was thinking about multiple fire sources.

 

Anyways, I had the idea to cut straws into 3 pieces and put 3 matches in each.  I used hot glue to seal them in.

2 heads up, 1 head down to get the fit right.

 

They are water right, however as you make them you need to make sure you don't have a bubble and that it seals completely.

 

I figured these could be dropped in a couple pockets, they are small and add almost no weight.

 

 

So far they seem good.  I am going to sink a couple in a bowl of water and free it and then let it thaw back out and test them.

 

 

The 2 long ones on the side, I am seeing if possible to get more matches and anyways, I believe the short with 3 is the best.

 

 

 

[wewoapsiak]

Since you're messing with straws and thinking of fire, you might like this.

[Guest USMC 2013]

Not a bad idea.  For fire starting I have a couple cotton balls stuffed into a film tube with petroleum jelly smeared on them.  Place, light with a lighter and fire.  Bic lighters are your friend.

 

Joe

[vontar]

Yea, I figured I was the the first to do this.

 

I have known about cotton balls and petroleum jelly but didn't even think of putting some cotton in the straw.  Future ones I make I will.

 

In short, These in the picture are all I have made.  So I will probably test with them and make new ones with cotton for my pack.

[RED333]

We all carry firestarters everyday.

Primer, powder and bang, fire.

[vontar]

We all carry firestarters everyday.

Primer, powder and bang, fire.

But that has the bang factor you don't always want to use.

[Randall53]

About thirty five years ago I was really into backpacking and hiking - fishing in the Colorado mountains around the Glenwood Springs area. A friend had a quick and easy way to make waterproof matches. We would use parrifin from candles, very cheap by the way, that was melted in an old pan on the stove to seal small wooden matches from the tip to about halfway down. You could easily dip a box at a time. We then put them into plastic bottles, put the lid on, then dipped the lid and neck in parrifin sealing the bottle. I actually found some of these bottles in a zip lock baggie several years after leaving that area and the matches still would light and burn very well.

[UncleJak]

Great idea, I think you can heat the straw ends and use pliers to crimp them close and still get the waterproof seal you are looking for.

[Wingshooter]

great idea

[Guest capt usa]

I like this idea, thanks for the post.

[RED333]

But that has the bang factor you don't always want to use.

you are right, if you are worried about letting others know where you are.

[Jonnin]

I like it but it seems like way, way overkill.   Take a bunch of matches.  Dip them in hot wax to make them water resistant.  Put them in a pill bottle (seal that if you must) and its done?

[Guest USMC 2013]

Help me here because I think I am missing something.  Why not have a few Bic lighters stashed away?

 

Joe

[RED333]

It is thinking out side the box, I like the plan, will make some as well.

[vontar]

Help me here because I think I am missing something.  Why not have a few Bic lighters stashed away?

 

Joe

I do have some bic's in my pack, but this is just another light weight back up.

 

 

BTW, I am not just cutting the straw in 2 parts and using the extra room for some cotton and still sealing with hot glue.

 

I have no reason to believe candle wax wouldn't be just as good.

Edited January 20, 2013 by vontar

[ArmyBrat61]

I have several old plastic film canisters filled with dryer lint.....yes dryer lint....fits neatly in my B.O.B. and starts everytime with my wax dipped, strike anywhere matches....I do like the straw idea, will have to try it.

[JPS]

We have a small heavy-duty ziplock bags of dryer lint in each family member's bug out bag.  I have flint/steel, but this would be a good addition to each of those.

[Guest capt usa]

Help me here because I think I am missing something.  Why not have a few Bic lighters stashed away?

 

Joe

 

 

Bic lighters are good as long as there's fluid in them, I have had some stashed for a while and when I needed them the fluid had escaped. This would be more of a lite weight backup that doesn't take up any space and you'd be glad you had them when all else fails. Dryer lint is highly flammable and makes great fire tinder material.

[Guest polishprepper]

I carry a flint and magnesium stick starter always.....