Having matches is a vital part of packing your bug-out bag. They will save you in so many different ways when you’re in an emergency situation.
One moment, we may use matches to light a candle or to find where we are going easily. The next moment, you may use similar matches to light a fire so that you can cook some food or stay warm at night. That’s right, having matches on hand is a very important part of staying safe and alive.
There is also a problem associated with matches that we don’t often think of. Even if the matches are okay, the box that they are in can get ruined. Eventually, the side of the box is not going to be abrasive enough to light the match or it could get wet and be no good altogether.
If you find yourself in such a situation, what do you do? If you had the forethought to use strike anywhere matches, you are in luck. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to light the match on the side of a plastic bottle or concrete it will light quickly and easily.
If you are somebody who really loves preparing for survival, then you will appreciate the ability to make your own strike anywhere matches. Most people are surprised with how easy this is to do and how much fun you can have lighting a match that was created by you.
The first step in the process is to get some regular wood matches in a box. Take a small piece of sandpaper and gently sand the side of the box to remove as much of the material as possible. It should come off as a fine powder but be careful that you aren’t accidentally getting too much cardboard into the mix.
The next step in the process is to take that material and put it in a small jar. Use a few drops of water to wet it and then stir it carefully until it is sludge.
Each of the matches should be dipped into this so that the head of the match is covered. You can then set it aside to dry.
After the match dries, the match head with the abrasive powder you just put on it will work nicely to get a fire started. It’s easy to do, but there is another step you can take as well.
If you really want these matches to work, carefully remove some of the phosphorus from the tip of a few other matches and grind it using a small pipe. You can then make it into a paste and put it on the end of the matches, which will make them burn on anything.
Watch it for yourself in this video: