Once upon a time, hunting matches were necessary element equipment of a hunter, tourist and fisherman, and helped them make a fire in extreme conditions.
Today, in view of the fact that there is a huge selection of tools for lighting a fire, from lighters to, it would seem that there is no special need to drag these matches on an extreme journey.
We decided to find out whether this is true or not. Let's figure it out.
Consider the main ways how you can kindle a fire in field conditions, with the exception of exotic ways type of friction and metal wool.
Gas and petrol lighters
The advantage of the lighter is obvious,
- burns in almost any conditions,
- she is not afraid of getting wet,
- she has a supply of gas that will last for a long time,
- cons are difficult to set on fire in severe frost, you have to heat it up somehow, and after getting wet, you need to dry the lighter somewhere, namely flint.
Petrol lighters having similar characteristics and in some ways superior to gas lighters, for example
- burn well in the wind,
- trouble-free operation in severe frost,
- the main disadvantage is the need to drag gasoline,
- minus the high price for high-quality specimens, due to the non-tightness of the structure, gasoline constantly evaporates from it.
Flint
a great alternative to other methods of making a fire,- requires skill and dry kindling,
- highly dependent on humidity environment and the strength of the wind.
- not afraid of getting wet, just wipe and dry a little and you can knock out a spark.
- minus - you need to solve problems with tinder, you need a skill.
Ordinary matches
Simple and cheap, work in any frost.
- when wet, they become unusable,
- need a chirkash
- Difficulty in strong winds
- limited quantity,
- can be scattered in pockets or a backpack.
As it turns out, there are a lot of methods for kindling a fire in the field, the easiest and most convenient way is to take an ordinary lighter, or rather a few, scattering them in your pockets and backpack, and in most situations the problem with a fire will be solved.
This is true, but up to a certain point. Let's move on to hunting matches.
hunting matches
In fact, these are ordinary matches, but unlike ordinary ones, they are coated with a solution of berthollet salt, due to which they can burn in any conditions, even under water or in heavy storm. The burning time of these matches is about 10 seconds.
The main purpose of these matches is the ability to use them in non-standard situations or extreme conditions, for example, they turned over in a kayak or fell through the ice in cold water.
Unfortunately, if you are lucky enough to get ashore after that, the danger to life does not disappear, the problem remains how not to die from hypothermia or hypothermia, because the equipment will most likely be sunk or become wet and you will not be able to change clothes quickly.
Hands will tremble from the cold and it will most likely be simply impossible to light a fire with ordinary matches, a lighter or a flint, and in addition to this, according to the law of meanness, a strong icy wind will surely rise.
Actually, in such situations, hunting matches will help save your life, but on one condition, if they were hidden in the equipment that will remain on you in this situation.
So the question is whether hunting matches are needed or not, they are definitely needed, but they must be included in the emergency equipment kit and be kept constantly with a person, otherwise there will be no sense from them.
In normal situations it is sufficient to use an ordinary lighter, ordinary matches or for amateurs.
How to make hunting matches
In view of the low price (from 30 rubles) for hunting matches, it is not advisable to make them yourself and it is not possible, since it is impossible to make full-fledged matches that can burn in water, under water and in the wind at home, all that is possible is to protect ordinary matches with wax or paraffin from moisture and increase the burning time, but it’s easier to buy here gas lighter and use it.
What hunting matches to buy
The only thing before taking them with you is to check their quality:
- whether they burn underwater or when wet,
- can withstand strong winds.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of low-quality matches on sale.
It should also be remembered that hunting matches have a shelf life, and when long-term storage may lose their functions.
Example and review in the video from the Youtube channel tushich
How and where to store hunting matches
Since hunting matches are a necessary element of survival, and may be needed in an emergency, they must be stored on the body in an emergency kit.
The main requirements for an emergency kit are its miniaturization and invisibility, so a sealed container hanging around the neck or fastened to trousers, or lying in a trousers pocket is perfect. as an option, you can use either ready-made matches already packed in sealed packaging, for example, as in the photo:
Or order, for example
ABOUT ancient ways kindling fire we know mainly from the history and descriptions of travelers who observed them in the camps of the so-called backward tribes. They themselves have long been accustomed to using matches. It should be noted that in last years lighters and auto-ignition were added to them. gas stoves. However, matches to this day have not lost their relevance. But how much do we know about them? How often do people look closely at such familiar, everyday things?
Matches are different
Even the simplest, “homemade” matches are conceived quite cunningly. The main secret in their heads, which satisfy two almost opposite requirements: the tip of the match should not fall off the stick when ignited, crumble during storage, and at the same time the stick should go out almost instantly when it burns out a little.
Even more difficult are the tasks that hunting matches must perform. They are charged with the obligation to burn much longer, they must give a large and hot flame, and they are supposed to light up both in the wind and in the rain. As a result, hunting matches below the head are coated with an additional composition and can burn from 10 to 20 seconds - what you need when you kindle a fire in "non-flying" conditions. Covering the head with a special film prevents it from getting wet. So a quality product can ignite even in the rain.
Storm matches are even more “weather-resistant”: naphthalene and starch are also included in their coating, so that even a wind of 12 points is not an obstacle to their flaring up.
For those who rarely use such incendiary sticks, we note: it is undesirable to use them in an apartment (house) - they have too large a flame, and they smoke with a pungent and unpleasant odor.
The most famous way
Hunting matches can be bought at any specialized store for fishermen and hunters. However, if this is not observed near your house, and you are too lazy to go looking for it, then you can handle it yourself. Most often, do-it-yourself hunting matches are made from ordinary ones with additional substances: silver, nitrolac and ammonium nitrate. Serebryanka is mixed with saltpeter in equal amounts, varnish is added to them. Everything is kneaded like dough until it starts to resemble it. The resulting "plasticine" is thinly rolled out (better glass bottle, which after it is not a pity to throw it out). The pancake is cut into the narrowest possible stripes, not wider than a couple of millimeters, and even better - even narrower. These ribbons are wound on a match in a spiral, from the head to the middle of the stick. Almost finished hunting matches are left to dry, after which the wound strips are varnished. In no case do not varnish the head - without sulfur, the match will not ignite. Of course, the work is painstaking, almost jewelry, but in the country, on a hike or fishing, you will not be left without fire.
Can be done differently
Less well known is another way to make a hunting match. Instead of the above components, cotton threads and paraffin are suitable. The threads are tightly wound around household matches, preferably not in one layer. The head, of course, remains open. Paraffin is melted, and workpieces are dipped into it. It’s easier to just throw matches at him, and then catch them; but, in order not to wait for excess "wax" to drain, it is better to take each with tweezers and dip into the melt.
But no matter what method you use to make hunting matches, do not forget to take care of the dry "scribbler" (or "chirkalka" - call it what you want). Without it, the most water-resistant matches will not light. The easiest method is to keep it in a tightly tied condom.
Useful for the holidays too!
Craftsmen believe that such a hunting device is appropriate not only in field conditions. If a few small iron filings are introduced into the composition with which matches are processed in the first manufacturing variant, then during combustion one can observe a beautiful spark fireworks, similar to the one they give. You don’t want to cancel the holiday in bad weather, and not every factory product “agrees” to work in dampness. So you can please children with safe homemade products.
(Edited on 05/09/2018)
Matches are the lightest and available remedy receive FIRE.
No matter how many lighters or other means of making fire you have - still always take as many matches as possible - nothing compares to them.
The cheapest choice to use would be ordinary household matches. The best choice (especially in nature) would be hunting matches.
The main disadvantage of matches is that they are afraid of dampness. Therefore, do not put boxes of matches on the ground, they will dampen quite quickly from this.
Ordinary matches should be stored in a hermetically sealed container, packed in such a way that they do not strum, rub or ignite. To do this, just put a piece of cotton wool in this container.
To have enough matches for more long term, they can be split lengthwise into two or more halves.
To light a split match without breaking it, press the sulfur head against the ignition strip with your finger. Be prepared to burn that finger.
But this extreme case, it is better not to use it: one whole match is better than two or more with a high probability of not being able to light a fire.
To light a damp match, strike it not along the ignition strip, but obliquely.
Often you can come across the advice "If your hair is dry and not very greasy, then rub a damp match on it. Static electricity will dry out the match."
But this does not always help, especially not at home. Our matches may not ignite on the boxes, what can we say about wet matches? .. And if the matches are wet, then the box is wet. And how then to ignite?
Now why is it possible to ignite. Didn't find an exact answer. But I think that not because of static electricity, but because the head sweats more often, and during sweating fat deposits are released. Naturally, hair becomes oily, and when you start rubbing a match against your hair, sulfur is saturated with natural fat and, accordingly, ignites much easier and faster.
Each time you light a match, you can also light a candle. You can light a lot of things from it, while saving matches. Even a small candle will last a long time if used carefully.
Some types of matches may have colored heads.But, for the most part, it doesn’t matter what color the match head is - they burn any.
The figure below shows EXAMPLES of some of these matches.
Let's look at what matches are.
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Household (ordinary) matches
Ordinary matches, to which we are all accustomed since childhood.Matches that are produced in Russia and in the post-Soviet space are short (about 42 mm.) wooden sticks about 2 mm thick with an incendiary head. Such matches are intended for domestic use, therefore they are not adapted to adverse conditions, in particular weather. And it can be difficult to apply them in nature. However, for making a fire, such matches have been used for decades, and continue to be used in various conditions because of its low price. This is the cheapest type of matches.
Storm matches
Burning in the wind, in the damp and in the rain. Such matches do not have a head, and the coating of the “body” is much thicker than that of hunting matches. Their incendiary mass contains a lot of bartholite salt, so the ability to ignite (sensitivity) of such matches is very high. They burn for at least 10 seconds in any meteorological conditions, even in stormy weather at 12 points. The addition of some salts to the incendiary mass makes it possible to obtain colored fire: red, pink, blue, green, violet. Also, some of these matches have a limited expiration date, after which they lose some of the declared characteristics. |
| Storm matches "UCO Stormproof Matches" |
Outwardly similar to hunting or storm matches.
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| Wind matches 1990 |
Thermite matches
Developing a higher temperature during combustion and giving more heat during combustion of the head. Designed for ignition of thermite-muffle checkers, thermite cartridges or kindling fires.The standard length of thermite matches is 60 cm.
Especially dangerous, because they can ignite from friction between themselves.
It is advisable to use them only after taking them with pliers or fixing them on a wire so as not to get burned.
signal matches
Matches that burn a colored (red, blue, green, yellow) flame. The height of the flame can reach half a meter.photographic matches
Gives an instant bright flash, used when photographing.Now, as far as I know, such matches are not used and are not produced. Matches with a length of up to 30 cm. Designed for igniting fireplaces.
Designed to ignite gas-burners, plates
Decorative (gift, collection) matches
Limited edition boxes with various patterns (like postage stamps), the matches themselves often have a colored head (pink, green).Some of these matches can be bought in a set consisting of several boxes. For example, a set of boxes from the history of the Russian state consists of 18 boxes.
Box-sized label sets were also produced separately.
Household matches
These are household matches that have, as they now say, "economical packaging."cigar matches
Special matches for lighting cigars and pipes. Cigar matches do not contain sulfur in the ignition head, which negatively affects the taste of cigars. They are thicker than regular matches and up to 10 cm long.
Such a match burns for a long time, but is not protected from weather conditions. Can be used to light fires in calm weather. Not much for extreme conditions. the best option than household matches.
I will give examples of some unusual matches
iron matches
Made on the principle of sparklers: combustible mixture on the wire. The length of the combustible layer is 13 cm. The burning time is 1 min. They ignite through one, the combustible layer crumbles when bent, they are afraid of moisture and wind. The flame is very hot, but the burning time is not enough to ignite. Suitable for home use.
Triangular matches made of pressed wood dust impregnated with paraffin. Package - cardboard box. Burning time - 6 min.
Burn confidently, with high temperature flame. Wet, refuse to burn
In the process of burning, they emit a temperature of more than 1000 degrees Celsius! The melting point of aluminum, for example, is about 660 degrees Celsius! Accordingly, if you throw a burning match into a cola can, in theory it should burn it.
Today we have helpful advice addressed to people who like to wander through nature with a gun (hunting season, its opening is just around the corner) or sit on a fishing trip. Of course, they don’t give up their hobby in winter either. to someone winter fishing I like it even more than summer. But it seems to me that there are still more “heat-loving” fishermen. As you know, nature is very changeable, and fishermen and hunters should always be prepared for any unforeseen situations, especially if you are somewhere far from "civilization". Here are hunting matches, this is just the “arsenal” that you need to arm yourself with when going out into nature. After all, ordinary matches and lighters are very unreliable during a long stay in nature. And such matches can help you out in various situations.
How to do it and what is needed for this?
And you can make such matches very easily and you won’t need any super-materials for this. There are no problems with ordinary matches, except for them you also need ammonium nitrate, you need nitro-varnish to cover matches, and well-known silver (it is needed in the form of powder).
The first thing we will do is mix dry with ammonium nitrate. We will mix these compounds 1:1. When you mix these two components well, then add nitrolac to them and then mix all the contents again. You will need to achieve a pasty state of this mixture.
- When you get this consistency, then roll out this "inedible" dough in a thin layer and cut it into narrow strips. The width of such stripes should be a very small millimeter or two.
- Next, we need regular matches. We take one of them and spirally wrap those narrow strips that we have already cut out on it. You need to start winding from the middle of the sulfur head down and finish doing it in the middle of the match itself. So, we wrap each match (that is, based on the number of prepared strips) and let them dry after that.
- When the matches are already well dry, you will need to cover them with nitro-lacquer. You can cover with a regular brush, which children use when drawing. BUT, cover the sulfur head of the match with this varnish DO NOT DO IT! Otherwise, you will simply have problems lighting matches. Someone thinks that it is much easier to dip the whole match directly into nitrolac, but again, you don’t need to do this, otherwise the head of the match will also be varnished and you can’t avoid problems with ignition.
- Everything, your hunting matches are completely ready! So now you can safely use them to make a fire, and you can even use not the driest firewood. Such homemade matches can successfully burn even in water, and the wind will not be able to extinguish the flame of such matches.
But in this video you will be well shown and told again. Try and you will succeed.
In today's article, we will talk about how to quickly make hunting matches for lighting a fire in extreme conditions.
How to make hunting matches
When we are going hunting, fishing, or simply on a hiking trip, we must certainly stock up on essentials, including those for lighting a fire in an open area, and even in extreme conditions. Yes, you will say that I have a lighter or a box of matches for this occasion. You have probably experienced something like this when a lighter fails when it gets wet, frozen, or the flint just flew out, and your matches got damp.
Just in such a case it is necessary to have with you the means for ignition. These funds must adequately withstand tests for humidity, gusty winds and, not least, they burned for a sufficient amount of time to calmly kindle a fire in an open area. Such means include familiar hunting matches.
Properties of hunting matches
The difference between hunting and simple matches is that hunting matches have an additional so-called coating. It allows matches to be moisture resistant, long burning, and their flame is large and hot. These matches can keep the fire going for up to 20 seconds. You can set them on fire in damp and windy weather, as they are not afraid of moisture. Hunting matches can be used in a wide range of areas of our activity: hunting, fishing, camping and just on vacation, where many unpleasant situations can occur, and such matches always come to the rescue.
How to make hunting matches video
So how do you actually make hunting matches with your own hands? You can see it clearly in the following video:
Perhaps you will be interested.
