Matches vs Lighters what & WHY do you prefer the method?

[Alaskan Survivalist]

You're funny Sarge! Knowing this is your way of showing your affection I'm as honored as BG....and we all know how you truely feel about him.

[shiftyer1]

As....I used a zippo for many years, one day I ran out of fluid to refill it and just never bought more. You said you've been using one for 40 years so you know that it's going to run out of fluid when you need a smoke the most. Doesn't it make sense to carry another form of lighting a fire? Odds are you'll never need to make a fire with a 9 volt and steel wool and i'd never carry such a combo with me but it's nice to know you can.

I've become somewhat interested in learning different ways to make fire, if for no other reason than to know I can.

[1stimestar]

I carry both. Matches work better for getting to the underlying tinder in a pile of firewood. Lighters are handier for all the above mentioned reasons. BUT, lighters don't work once they get down to a certain temp. So if I am out in the winter, I also make sure to have matches. As a smoker I carry my cigs and lighter in an outside pocket for easy access but have to put my lighter in my glove for a while to warm up enough to light.

[crashdive123]

1stimestar - You're talking about Bic type lighters right? While it is true that the butane must be warmed up a bit, a Zippo will work in cold conditions without pre-heating.

[Alaskan Survivalist]

1stimestar - You're talking about Bic type lighters right? While it is true that the butane must be warmed up a bit, a Zippo will work in cold conditions without pre-heating.

Sorry Crash, that's just not so here. We may have a different concept of cold but I often have to warm mine up to get it to work. I think we need to define cold.

[crashdive123]

Are you using regular zippo fuel?

[Alaskan Survivalist]

Are you using regular zippo fuel?

When my wife picks it up. I don't like the steel cans and always choose Ronsonal for its plastic container. They warm up easy by just putting it in front pants pocket. Outside pockets at -20 don't cut it.

[crashdive123]

I've never had any issues in the cold, but admittedly I have not experienced the extremes that you do.

[1stimestar]

I haven't tried zippos, yes talking about a plain old Bic. By cold I am referring to something colder then -20F.

[valleysailor]

"I don't see how people can eat okra. I know it is food but my system rejects it because I have not been raised on it."
WHAT? No gumbo in a survival sitch? Then I ain't doing it!!

[EdD270]

I normally carry matches in a waterproof container, and a Bic, and either a ferro rod or mag bar. I usually use the Bic for starting fires, but if it don't work I go for the matches. If they fail, I go for the ferro rod/mag bar. If that fails I make a drill and try that. If that fails I freeze/starve to death. Oh, well, that's life in the wilderness.

[fortbuilder]

@EdD270 You could resort to using the ice to start your fire. How??? Form a lense in the palm of your hands from the ice and use it like a magnifying glass, it works.

[crashdive123]

@EdD270 You could resort to using the ice to start your fire. How??? Form a lense in the palm of your hands from the ice and use it like a magnifying glass, it works.

Two things come to mind.

1. He lives in Arizona.
2. How many fires have you personally started using this method?

[Sarge47]

Two things come to mind.

1. He lives in Arizona.
2. How many fires have you personally started using this method?

Fortbuilder lives in Montana...an intro would have helped. I think matches are a lot easier to use than ice...just sayin'

[crashdive123]

Yeah, but EdD lives in Arizona - the guy he was telling to form an ice lens.

[Sarge47]

Yeah, but EdD lives in Arizona - the guy he was telling to form an ice lens.

If EdD used a cooler...no, that won't work. Maybe if EdD started the fire at home with ice 1st, then put the fire in some kind of container...no, that could prove dangerous. YEP! Matches, or lighter, like the OP was asking!

[Rick]

I generally use my lighter to start my matches. Redundancy. Remember redundancy.

[Shalako]

I don't have a problem with any of them. When hunting or otherwise in the woods, I normally carry waterproof, strike anywhere matches in a water tight container and a large size Zippo. I've encountered considerable difficulty trying to start a fire with a Bic type lighter under windy conditions, thus I never rely on them.

[hunter63]

I think it would be easier to us the plastic bag and pee, in the desert....maybe ice lens in AK, or any of the cool ways to make fire....if you have to.

I'm a BIC guy myself......buy them by the dozen...at least one goes into every jacket, coat, bag, pack, glove box, counsel, tool box everywhere.......and they all get lost!....LOL....Some day I'll find the "Magic Pocket" and all lost lighters are there!

So then its back to the Zippo, water proof matches, ferro rod, Flint/steel, lens.......

THEN bow drills, hand drills, friction fire, steel wool/battery, ball point pen spring/battery, coke can/chocolate,.........
Or finally, standing in a clearing with a 2 iron and a tinder bundle, during a lightening storm.

Or just use your smart phone,,,,gotta be an APP for that.

[Sparky93]

Here you go

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Starts a good, reliable fire....... until the battery goes dead.