Light a candle and when the wax truns to liquid near the wick dip the head of the match in the hot wax.

 

Throw them in a zip lock and forget them. Mine are on the shelf in the original boxes.

 

G.I. Ammo Cans Work Fine

Keep the strike anywhere or other match types in their cardboard box and include a little dekasant. (sp) The ammo can will contain any fire with accidental ignition and slowly bleed off the overpressure. The can will get hot. If you wanna, put a .30 cal can inside a .50 cal can. HB of CJ (old coot)

 

All you have to do is keep them dry. 35mm film cans, or even the $2 waterprood match containers you find in the sporting goods section do a great job.

 

I had done a huge article on matches, waterproof, storage etc... its long since lost on the forums I think...

Shorter story:

1) they do not expire, they are hygroscopic, water is the enemy, and they can pull it from the air. Seal the container and store it in a dry environment.

2) none are waterproof, some are water resistant and most are not up to the task at all. I have tried hundreds of brands, including homemade waterproofers.... at best it adds a bit of time to get them out of the water. Most (90% or more) fail before 30 minutes in water...

3) matches will explode, any metal can or otherwise latching container will blow up. So will the plastic and brass match cases with screw on lids. Just think plastic match case and strike anywhere matches....

4) Stock what you use and use what you stock. I love the UCO stormproof matches, and strike anywhere kitchen matches. I also have colemans (cheap junk) and coghlans (stormproof).


I run the little match safes for a buck, toss the matches or use them for non essential lighting, replace with UCO and strikers or strike anywhere. Place some cotton between the tips and the case, and a bit of tinder to fill up the case.

 

Dip in hot wax will protect matches and make the burn a bit longer... Let the wax cool before tossing them in your film can and try to keep them cool- ish or just buy storm matches and seal in a vacuumed bag

 

I just stick with Bics and magnesium/firesteels.

 

Mason jar...

 

I keep matches as a backup fire starter and store them in the cheap air tight match containers you can get at any camping store. For long term storage I would put the matches in a mason jar so they won't wick up water out of the air over time.

As a main source of fire starting materials I use BIC lighters. Don't go cheap and get some no-name lighter just because it is a couple of dollars cheaper. Keep the lighters in a cool dark place and they should last a long time.

Stillar

 

I pick up boxes of matches periodically, put them in a plastic bin and store them in my bedroom closet. I've got 3,200 matches so far. It's one of those items that you really can't have too much of and it doesn't take up much space.