Pretty good waterproof matches.
Outdoor Gear Reviews
··1 min read

To Build A Fire: Part -1 Coghlan’s Waterproof Matches

Since my childhood, the story To Build a Fire by Jack London, has stuck with me.  And to that end, I have decided to try build some fires using some different methods and means.  To create a control, each time I’ll start the process with a 12″ 2×4 split apart and a 8.5″x11″ sheet of paper.

Today I have a go with the Coghlan’s Waterproof Matches.  I’ll be honest, I really didn’t think they would hold up to the water.  Color me impressed…

While the first couple matches pretty much smeared onto the abrasive side, I flipped it over and they lit.
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4 Comments

  1. Kudos to you sir.
    Of all the channels I have watched on subjects such as this, you are the first to actually factor in a true to life scenario. As you stated, anyone can do things like this when conditions are controlled. When your boat flips over or an unforeseen rain storm hits in the middle of winter, that’s when life gets real. Looking forward to your future videos.

    1. Thanks for the kind words Dwayne. I feel it is important to put that level of realism in it. Not only for the benefit of others to see, but for myself as well. I’ve carried around all kinds of random fire starting devices without ever really playing through the less than ideal scenario…

  2. Du-huuude! You suffered for your art! Most impressive commitment to the story by your jump into…Lake Tahoe?. I was feeling your pain as you tried to get things going. Hope you had a pal on overwatch just in case. Also, London’s story analogy is spot on! Your critique that you didn’t make the best of your fuel belies the fact that in a real survival situation you’d be lucky to have any dry fuel, and your options for where you put your fire would also likely be sketchy. So, all in all, your fuel was optimal and esprit was sublime!

    Also, nice to see you divert into non-SHOT show territory. Mass consumerism, even in the 2A arena, has a shelf life.

    Cheers!

    1. Thank you Dave! I am glad you appreciate and can relate to the misery. 🙂 London’s story has always stuck with me. It is fun (relatively speaking) to try some of these different fire starting methods in a relatively controlled environment. It is easy for me to convince myself that I’m all set because I have a book of matches in my backpack when I head out into the woods. Reality may or may not line up…

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