Author Topic: Water Proof Matches  (Read 6794 times)

Offline thatGuy

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Water Proof Matches
« on: October 24, 2011, 11:39:19 PM »
Hey Guys,

I thought I would share how I make water proof matches.

I melt Paraffin Wax
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin
in a double boiler on the stove.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_boiler
Then I dip the half of the match that has the head first and I always try to dip at least half of it in the wax on the first pass. Then I prop them up against a chopstick and let the wax cool. When they are nice and cool I dip the other end. When I want to use them I just scrap the wax off with my thumb nail and strike it on my zipper. I typically use Strike Anywhere Matches because I don't want to have to keep the little piece of box dry too. That kind of defeats the purpose doesn't it?

The hear that you can use nail polish too but I have never done so... Maybe I should.

I got photos but I thought they were boring.

Good luck and keep your matches dry!

Offline special-k

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #1 on: November 15, 2011, 10:44:08 PM »
I used nail polish and it worked great.  I tried candle wax but the they wouldn't light no matter what.
Had a hard time finding strike anywhere matches.  Due to them now being classified as a hazardous material, every store doesn't have them like they did in the old days.  But I finally found them at Ace Hardware.
"It wouldn't do any good.  I've had the shit beat out of me a lot of times.  I just replenish with more shit."  - Billy McBride

Offline mountainredneck2051

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #2 on: November 15, 2011, 10:53:25 PM »
matches, because you don't know any better......  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at
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Offline Veritas

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2011, 10:54:20 PM »
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but my Kalashnikov will hurt you.

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Offline PatriotSeeker

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2011, 11:07:49 PM »
Another trick is using 100 percent cotton balls and Vaseline. Its good fire starter. Best product Ive used though would be WetFire Tinder . Can actually be placed on water and burned. Dont know why you would want to do that, but there you go.         
WetFire Tinder Video
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Offline Reaver

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2011, 11:54:57 PM »
Win, that stuff looks awesome.

One thing I've always used. is heximine
Its pretty much the same thing it looks like.
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Offline special-k

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2011, 12:30:59 AM »
matches, because you don't know any better......  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

Huh? :o
"It wouldn't do any good.  I've had the shit beat out of me a lot of times.  I just replenish with more shit."  - Billy McBride

Offline PatriotSeeker

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2011, 12:55:38 AM »
I thought it was funny.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co
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Offline mountainredneck2051

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2011, 11:44:02 AM »
matches, because you don't know any better......  [img]http://www.arrse.co.uk/at

Huh? :o



i just hate matches, why buy/use them when i can use my fire steel, or even a bic lighter?

packing matches into the backwoods is like carrying a musket for bear protection, can it work YES do i want to bet my life on it
HELL NO
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Offline WhiskeyJack

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Re: Water Proof Matches
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2011, 12:46:26 PM »
Anything that gets my fire started works for me. I use lighters flint and steel or matches. Dont care what it is it just has to work. TY TG i was using regular candle way and they werent working. Ill try the parafin next.
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