Best matches

[Tony]

Does anyone have a preferred match to take camping/into the woods?

I know there's lots of different types from a lot of different places and some are better than others, I tend to just take whatever we've got around but I'm interested in knowing if there's something specific it's worth looking out for...
Thanks

 

[Shewie]

The only time I carry matches is if I'm using a tent and stove, I prefer the longer matches for getting the stove going, usually Bryant & May I think.

The rest of the time I use a Clipper lighter

 

[Mesquite]

Swan vestas for the simple reason they strike on just about any rough surface

 

[shaggystu]

As it happens I'm in the process of writing a blog article about matches at the moment. Conclusions so far are that there are pretty much two categories of match. Firstly there are supermarket home brand safety matches - which are all pretty much the same, and they're all very good.
Secondly, there's everything else, strike anywhere, swan vesta, bryant and may, england's glory, carboard book matches, waterproof matches, lifeboat matches etc. which aren't as good for various reasons. Generally though: strike anywhere matches tend to be a bit thinner than safety matches so don't give as much flame, some matches (eg swan vesta) are shorter so don't burn for so long, book matches suck moisture out of the air so they easily become damp, waterproof matches are often so covered in varnish that they can be really difficult to light, as can lifeboat matches which have the added problem of not really giving any kind of useable flame once they are lit. etc.
Probably the "best" IMHO are the really long matches that you get in the BBQ aisle. They light easy, they burn with a good strong flame, and they burn for a long time. If you were to carry matches as part of an "emergency" fire lighting kit then I'd suggest that BBQ matches would be perfect. The only downside to them is that they're a little big bigger and therefore slightly more awkward to pack than standard sized matches.

HTH

Stuart.

 

[MartiniDave]

Another vote for Swan Vestas, when and if you can find them that is, they don't seem as readily available as they used to be.

Dave

 

[ozzy1977]

I just use the cheapest strike anywhere ones off ebay, they do everything I need

 

[GGTBod]

Whatever you do don't ever take the waterproof matches from BM 24hr ration packs as your only source of ignition, comically crap on all levels

 

[Harvestman]

Is this a case of splitting hairs a little too finely? Differences in matches? Really? With all respect to Shaggystu who has clearly looked at this carefully, I think we can get a little too caught up in the details sometimes. All matches will give you a flame. If you can't light a fire with a match then you really need to work on your basic fire skills.

Still, that's me. Other people may want to look into these things, and that's fine too.


On another note, the match that I'd really like to see would be John Fenna versus Jonathan D

 

[sunndog]

strike anywhere type...waterproof box....bit of cotton wool stuffing......done

 

[leon-1]

Internet sourced I use Diamond Greenlight strike anywhere matches, they are longer than the standard match and they are slightly thicker. They also require 3mm cutting of each one to fit into a standard K&M Matchcase. If I can't get those then I go for Swan Vesta.

 

[shaggystu]

Is this a case of splitting hairs a little too finely? Differences in matches? Really? With all respect to Shaggystu who has clearly looked at this carefully, I think we can get a little too caught up in the details sometimes. All matches will give you a flame. If you can't light a fire with a match then you really need to work on your basic fire skills....

Agreed almost entirely, it's mainly from observing the differences between matches when demonstrating fire-lighting (which, as you quite rightly say should be very much a formality with any kind of match) that's led me to look at this more carefully. As I say, from what I can work out cheap safety matches (the type you'd get from the tobacco counter) are pretty much all the same. You strike them , get a flame, away you go. It's when you start looking at outdoor specific matches that you start to notice differences, some emergency matches won't even give you a flame, they just work like sparklers which will actually struggle to light damp tinder (the kind that you tend to find when you really need a fire). Noticing that some matches burn much longer and hotter than others is just that, noticing, I've not quite gone to the extent of timing them. As with anything you can look into these things are far as you like, I'm pretty sure that I've gone far enough to satisfy my own curiosity about matches

 

[Tony]

Is this a case of splitting hairs a little too finely? Differences in matches? Really? With all respect to Shaggystu who has clearly looked at this carefully, I think we can get a little too caught up in the details sometimes. All matches will give you a flame. If you can't light a fire with a match then you really need to work on your basic fire skills.

Still, that's me. Other people may want to look into these things, and that's fine too.


On another note, the match that I'd really like to see would be John Fenna versus Jonathan D

I get where you're coming from, I just take whatever matches are around the place but there's always a chance that someone uses a match that is better than most, a large sized swan would be good

 

[tombear]

In my key fob ex solataire match safe Swan Vesatas as they are a perfect fit.

I cut down a K&M ally match safe to take strike anywhere "The Original Cooks Matches" so they wouldn't rattle. I carry a match length of brass tube in there as well (which is a tight fit for a match) I use it for a extension and so the match can burn down much further than if held in my sausage like fingers.

They at the ones I use all the time but have many draw queens, a long brass K&M with Russian cosmonaut matches in that sort of thing. One type I've been dishing out is a neat little job made from the tubs blood glucose testing strips come in since I was given a couple of dozen. They fit England's Glory spot on so all I have to do is peel the label off and add a stamped out disc of skate board grip tape to the base. Unlike sandpaper it isn't effected by water. If requested I put another disc inside the cap and add a match extender tube.

i am a very sad man.

 

[sandbender]

And another vote for Swan Vestas.

 

[Wayland]

My favourites are some I get from Decathlon which are labeled as waterproof, which they're not really because the wood can get waterlogged, but they do remain reliable a lot longer than standard jobbies.

They are not strike anywhere which is a shame but otherwise they work well.

 

[Gray]

Cooks strike anywhere matches. 65p for a big box from home bargains

 

[MarkinLondon]

No mention of storm matches? I'm about to take some UCO matches on an overnighter and am looking forward to trying them out.

 

[robevs73]

I use 'cooks matches' strike anywhere. Big box and longer than swan vestas amd England's glory type. I have a box of American Doamond matches that I've had for 11 years, great size but safety type, although it says strike anywhere on the box!
They come in safety aswel. Home bargains sell the strike anywhere type and wilkinsons do the safety ones, well in Llanelli that's the case, don't know about the shops in Cardigan Tone.

 

[John Fenna]

I make my own sulphur matches and light then with flint, steel and charcloth - I have not used commercial matches in years!

 

[robevs73]

Smart **** John!!!!