3CERA Portable Windproof Waterproof Survival Lighter Matches Storm Emergency Camping

This was my first experience with lifeboat matches--and they didn't do what I expected--so I purchased an expensive pack of NATO-spec lifeboat matches for comparison. Lifeboat matches are not the paper book matches, nor are they the ordinary kitchen matches. When the match head compound burns down--that's the end of your match! I verified this with an expensive ten-pack of lifeboat matches. Once lit, the Fantastic Wind and Waterproof Survival Match does continue to flame and spark.As part of a fire-starting kit these are excellent and an outstanding value. Keep your matches dry!On the other hand, you have to make a fire in reverse order. A fire starts when you strike the match, then apply match to tender, then the tender lights the small fuel and that lights the main fuel supply. Fire is Man's original Weapon of Mass Destruction--it will grow like a living creature and you can easily lose control over your fire; the summer wild-fire season is a constant reminder of fire's destructive potential. When you need a fire, you need the entire works: a contained place for your fire, fuel, a bridge between tinder and fuel, the tinder to catch and amplify your ignition source, and a spark.These matches provide the spark. I've timed them from 7 to 12 seconds. Build your fire first, then get REAL close to the tinder and light your match. Immediately use the match to ignite the tinder. The tinder will set fire to your bridge fuel and cause the main fuel supply to heat up to ignition temperatures, to give off flammable vapors. I make it sound complicated--it is the original rocket science--but it is actually simple. Sometimes you don't need tinder when your bridge fuel (a heat tab) will do both jobs. Sometimes your main fuel supply is liquid, as in many lanterns and stoves.The Rule of Three is to carry three ignition sources at all times. These matches are one--and may work when the butane lighter or metal match fail. A fire-starting kit will include tinder and possibly some sort of bridge fuel--and several good ones are on the market. Or you can pick lint from your pocket. Scrap paper can be both tinder and bridge--if your fuel is suitable.Whatever you get, exercise your kit first. That's where this product shines--cheap enough you can expend half in practice and keep the rest in your fire starting kit. Just having matches doesn't make a fire. Matches START fires--but a pack of 20 lifeboat matches will make only a small, short-lived fire on its own. Think in terms of systems--and don't forget: CONTROL YOUR FIRE! A small fire to warm yourself, purify water and heat food (cooking takes a LOT of fuel and time!) is enough. For signaling, you need either lots of smoke or you need to place your bright fire in the open where it can be seen. Matches just start fires.

I love these things! I camp, canoe, fish, and hike. I have some in ALL of my packs! A must have for a survivalist.

Came in the mail yesterday, about a week later than was told it would come, but all in all you are getting what you pay for.Pro: Match ignited first try. Used another one outside with about 25mph wind and it stayed lit to the end of the match. Case is nice and tight although not waterproof. It doesn't claim to be, but could be solved by making it able to hold a seal and then it would be.Con: Only con I have is that the match stick itself is very thin and breakable. The first match broke quickly when trying to light it like a normal match. You would need to use less pressure, but again I was able to still light that match.

When looking for waterproof matches for emergency kits I couldn't believe how expensive they could be! This is a good value for the price. The quality isn't top-notch, but I'm ok with that since I'm not paying top-dollar. The container is not waterproof, but the bag I have them in is waterproof, so I wasn't concerned with that. The sandpaper like strip wasn't glued on very well. I pulled out a tube of super glue and fixed it, no big deal. If I have a rock or concrete handy I'll use that as a striker and save the sandpaper.I lit a few of the matches since so many of the prior reviewers complained about them. Note that the match is wax coated to protect it from water, you should gently scrape the wax off the coating before trying to light the match. They burn very hot, which is good for quickly lighting a fire in adverse conditions, it also means they burn very quickly since they are so well coated. You should have your tinder ready before striking the match, light it and drop it onto the tinder and it should catch immediately.Pay more for matches if you are nervous, but I find these to be just fine for my needs.

All things regarding this light and its case, weight, and so on, are right on what the advertisement says, and may be better still. One thing is if the case cracks, the hefty amount of wax-covered matches will keep the water or snow at bay, and still lighting. The lightweight package also makes these a perfect addition for all outdoor traveling needs, and is ideal for hiking, biking, and equestrian travel. I lit a couple of matches for information sake and found them to be great little fire starters. They come in a plastic and cardboard pack which is worth keeping for additional fuel. I would suggest keeping all of it in a heavy duty zip-lock bag for still more protection from the elements and room for other fire starters such as more tinder, dryer and belly button lint, and oh, yes, a more substantial striker. The one which comes along the side of the plastic container is okay, but the life simply feels like it's short. My ending comment? 5 stars for usage, and 5 more for the fantastic price! You cannot go wrong with this item!