Survival Kits

[WaitsLong]

16. Contents wary with the seasons. I remove the bug dope in the winter and
 replace it with a spark plug gap tool, heat packs, ect.
 :-)

Dave,
If the gap tool is only for plugs, do you change the gap for colder weather?
If the gap tool is used for other purposes, please explain.
 
All,
Many times I have seen strike-anywhere matches listed. OK. Many years ago, I tried nail polish
on the match heads and it ruined them. If you coat them with wax, will the wax  reduce
friction so that the matches are hard to strike?

For these strike-anywhere matches,
I would be interested in any failure modes that you have discovered.

Do you have special ways you make the coated matches work?

I have untreated matches that are over 10 years old that still work, though newer
matches are probably better.

[Daveinthebush]

Most people can not remember to check the gap on their extra spark plugs.  If you check and set it before you go out, then no, a gap tool would not be needed.  Sometimes you can find things to replace a spark plug gap gage with like a credit card might be close to the correct thickness.

As for matches:  I just dip them really fast into wax and let them cool.  They light fine and are waterproof.  I have used nail polish in the past, when last married 25 years ago. It would be an interesting experiment some weekend to try diffeent liquids such as polyurethane, rubber cenemt and others to see if there are alternatives. 

Waitslong:  I don't know where you are from but up here, hunting season usually means wet weather.  Realy wet. On Prince William SOund where I live you probably could not fine a dry piece of anything in the fall.  That is why "water proofing" everything is so imporant.

 

[WaitsLong]

Dave,
thanks for the info; I will be experimenting with some matches.

I have never been to Alaska. Mostly I have been in the Rockies
(the dry parts) and High Planes, which are dry.

Earlier in my life I lived in the Midwest, near the Mississippi River.
It was wet, on occasion, and dry during some times.
I had a very easy time during the wet times, starting fires in
rain; I consider this GOOD LUCK, with some skill.

I really appreciate knowing more and being reminded of what I
should be considering, that is why I read these forums and post.
 
Having Good Luck naturally leads to complacency.
A small amount of Bad Luck, can then kill you.

[corbanzo]

I just go corporate and buy rei's hurricane proof matches, no fuss with the waxes and other stuff.  They are for the most part a flare on a stick, real neat.  They will not continue to burn when fully submerged in water though, that we tested.  have used them in some sopping conditions (seward is part of a rain forest, like valdez and most of the rest of southcentral coast) and they work every time. 

most of the time we just find good cover and the old film canister full of strike anywhere matches and the striker works.