I found these items while surfing last week and thought they would be interesting to share.

Someone on BPL mentioned the newer UCO match case and I picked one up-- REI has them. They hold 25 of the long storm matches and have a slot inthe side to hold a striker and come with a couple spares. It weighs 1.5oz and is a fat little handful at about 3-1/8" tall and 1.5" diameter. I ran into a smaller and lighter version that holds 15 of the shorter UCO storm matches, weighs 0.54oz and is 2-7/16" tall and 1-1/8" diameter at the widest point. The top edge of the cap is textured to aid opening. It does not have an o-ring seal like the larger version. I think it is a good option for emergency-use only. I want to glue a button compass on the top.

I also found a smaller version of the EXOTAC firesteel. It weighs 0.51oz and is 4-1/16" long, with a firesteel that is about 3/16" diameter. The handle is 2-7/16" long and has a textured grip. The striker stows in the handle and has a 1-5/8" grip. The metal of the stiker is milled so that it has a sharp raised edges on all four corners. I like the gripping surfaces on this firesteel. If you hands are cold and wet and you need to get a fire going, you want all the help you can get. This one will still fit on my survival keychain. I do want to replace the lanyard with something denser.

UCO match cases with AA battery for scale.


EXOTAC small firesteel with AA batter for scale


EXOTAC small firesteel with striker exposed



Detail of striker to show sharp raised edges

Edited by dwambaugh on 07/18/2012 22:25:17 MDT.

That is great! Thanks for the post, I like the setup and the weight.

Love those matches but I keep hearing reports that you must keep the striker dry or they won't light. Once it drys out they will work. So SOP is to keep a spare striker in the container. By the way, did you find the smaller one at REI?

Two replies to the thread at http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/62692/index.html?skip_to_post=536136 state that the strikers do work after simply wiping the water or mud off. I would always keep a dry spare inside.

I found the smaller one on eBay, about $5.

Ordered one as well. Then saw the $26 "nanoStriker", at 14.6 grams it's pretty much the same weight but in a smaller package. [url]http://www.exotac.com/nanoSTRIKER[/url]

Edited by bcutlerj on 07/19/2012 13:53:38 MDT.

I didn't care for the short striker handle on the Nano version. I like the visual design, but getting a grip on that small one right after falling in a 35F stream may be a cccccchallenge. I'm of the mind that if I need a firesteel, things are not going well.

If you scroll down they have the dimensions. The Nano od the same overall length as the polySTRIKER, but the striker handle on the latter is 1-5/8" and 1-3/4" overall. You can really get a grip on it.

Check out the match cases they offer http://www.exotac.com/product-list. Note the striker is kept inside the case. I like that. Also, their FireROD has tinder storage in the handle. I use a Bison Design "spy capsule" for the same purpose.

This is my latest version of a keychain survival kit. From the top. clockwise:

Swiss Army Classic knife
Fox 40 Mini whistle
Bison Designs Spy Capsule with five Tinder Quick tabs
Fenix E01 AAA LED flashlight
EXOTAC polySTRIKER firesteel with added Kelty Triptease reflective lanyard.
Generic mini-caribiner
Total weight: 3oz.

Edited by dwambaugh on 07/19/2012 14:16:07 MDT.

[Up Mister Rogers theme, Dale puts on his Patagonia fleece cardigan...]

"Oh look, it is Mr Postman with my watchband compass!"

[footsteps to basment workshop]

"Now we're going to use some Super Glue and attach my new compass to my UCO match case. Can you say 'super glue'? I knew you could!"

[Dale removes the button compass from the rubber mount of a Brunton 9068 watchband compass and glues it to the top of the small UCO match case]

"Now I can find my way home when I lose the trail!"

Added cost: $5. Total weight: 0.62oz/17.6g




[Up music, "The Happy Wanderer"]


I love to go a-wandering,
Along the mountain track,
And as I go, I love to sing,
My knapsack on my back.

Chorus:
Val-deri,Val-dera,
Val-deri,
Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Val-deri,Val-dera.
My knapsack on my back.

I love to wander by the stream
That dances in the sun,
So joyously it calls to me,
"Come! Join my happy song!"

I wave my hat to all I meet,
And they wave back to me,
And blackbirds call so loud and sweet
From ev'ry green wood tree.

High overhead, the skylarks wing,
They never rest at home
But just like me, they love to sing,
As o'er the world we roam.

Oh, may I go a-wandering
Until the day I die!
Oh, may I always laugh and sing,
Beneath God's clear blue sky!

Edited by dwambaugh on 07/19/2012 16:46:14 MDT.

Cool kit.

[I think Dale has lost it].

I didn't know they made shorter UCO matches :)

I'll probably stick w/ my K&M matchsafe (aluminum) weighs 0.9 oz, including the Suunto compass and lanyard- I keep mine filled w/ 10 long UCO matches, two sealed strikers and two firestraws- it has two o-rings and is fully submersible

Dale,

Was the room very well ventilated while you were gluing the button compass to the match container? ;-)

Party On,

Newton

Lost it, compass....... I get it!!


Glue? Dude, it's that little tube of primer/accelerator that does the trick.

"It's a wonderful day in my neighborhood,
I'd be your neighbor if I could.
WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO BE MY NEIGHBOR?

Wanna go camping? Hmmmm????

Edited by dwambaugh on 07/19/2012 18:44:34 MDT.

Dale,

Yeah! So many trails and so little time this year. :-(

SE to PNW or PNW to SE, whew!

Got any of that primer/accelerator left? L O L

Party On,

Newton

No, and my right forefinger is stuck to my eyebrow--- like a bad salute :(

ROTFLMAO !

You type well using your one free hand. ;-)

Party On,

Newton

Wandered into my local REI last night and found the small UCO match container - $2.95. I've never used the smaller matches but the bigger ones are very good.