Inner tube and match safes

[bb07]

I never thought of using inner tube for lighting fires until reading about it on these forums. It's not something I'd want to do except in a real emergency when fire is needed fast, or if nothing else will work because everything is just too wet.

I think it's a worthwhile thing to have a bit on hand, just in case, so decided to incorporate small pieces into my match safes.
First, I looked for something close in size to match the inside diameter of the cap. A nickel is all I could come up with that was pretty close. I traced around the nickel and then cut it out with scissors. I wanted the piece of inner tube to be a close fit but still loose enough to fall out of the cap if I needed it in a hurry.
I could also make it a tighter fit but would then need to pry the rubber out with a knife or other object. This might be the better method as it would then also act as an additional seal against water, as well as not easily falling out and getting lost.

A piece of inner tube along with the nickel used for sizing

Here is one from Goinggear with the rubber cut for the cap

Another of the cheap plastic match safes with the inner tube ready to go into the cap

I think this is a worthwhile addition to a match safe. Although the piece of inner tube is small, I believe it could make the difference between fire and no fire.

 

[shaggystu]

good idea, i like that.
i tend to have hair bobbles or elastic bands wrapped round various items of kit, they work just as well as innertube for firelighting and have a fair few other uses too

stuart

 

[lannyman8]

looking good, never thought to put some in with my matches though....

 

[ged]

I just wrap matches in a couple of freezer bags. Polythene burns well too.

But my trusty meths bottle is the first line of defence.

 

[shaggystu]

.....But my trusty meths bottle is the first line of defence.

it certainly did the trick this weekend mate, i was getting nowhere with the self-extinguishing birch bark that i found

stuart

 

[Welshwizard]

I put my matches in an old 35mm film container along with a piece of fine sandpaper to strike them on .

 

[Buckshot]

I carry inner tube too
I tend to cut it into thin strips so they can be used as rubber bands if needed, then they just wrap round the outside
Works well

Thanks for sharing

Mark

 

[stuey]

If you or your other halves use rubber gloves for washing up cut them up (when she has finished with them unless you want a fight ) to make large elastic bands to keep kit tidy.... they make perfect emergency fire lighters too!