This Ancient Hack Will Upgrade Your Fire Starter Kit in Minutes!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

have a great weekend !!

[@thevirginiabushcrafter8833]

Blackie, thanks for Sharing. Another prep. Stay Safe

[@danielloder1461]

Thankyou Blackie, this is a doer. I had kind of abandoned matches buy this brings them back into the useful category.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

You're welcome 😊

[@kvonzwild8979]

Outstanding. Easier than wax. Now you have me thinking of putting a flame extender like duct tape around a portion of the match too. Thanks for the tip. You deserve a lot of subs given your content is very practical and often less expensive therefore more available to everyone. Much appreciated!

[@awayinthewilderness4319]

Good tip, Blackie! 👍

[@57WillysCJ]

I still like my Marbles match safe and I have a fex boxes of strike anywhere matches. I think back in the day we coated them with clear lacquer as well. I keep my lifeboat matches like grandmas good dishes, special occasians.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thats me i want to save the lifeboats for the worst of times

[@Bucky1836]

Another tip....fire place matches 😉🤓

[@marcschultz5869]

Interesting sure worth keeping in the fire kit.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i agree better hotter flame

[@Flashahol]

My experience with dipping match heads in wax was that the wax would smear all over the striking surface and no match could be lit on that striker afterwards. Did I do something wrong?? This is definitely much better as melting wax is not going to drip on your fingers and you don't need to create a fire hazard while doing it. Keep 'em coming!

[@Bucky1836]

I broke the wax before i strike mine but ill be doing the nail polish ....talk bout duh moment!

[@rquest3059]

Great video, I have been using nail polish for my pistol and rifle sites, even touching up fishing lures, I never thought of its flammable qualities.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i used it as locktite for screws for years

[@Wolfram762]

Great tip Blackie!!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Thanks 👍

[@Wolfram762]

@blackoracle69 you're welcome buddy!!

[@WayPointSurvival]

That's a really cool tip! Thanks so much!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

No problem!

[@BeefT-Sq]

It isn't a cool tip. The tip is on fire. 🔥

[@DarkMetaOFFICIAL]

good one! i did this with warmed filtered liquid pitch from a pine, and used any strike matches, it works just the same, waterproof plus an accelerant, great stuff! Clear nail polish is a good thing to keep when you're out camping, you can seal up all kinds of stuff, having it on hand gives so many ideas when you're just messing around, create little parts and structures for tinkering, use as a glue for small components, electronic repair, shoes, ballcap, bag seams, tents, tarps, so many things. we used to paint a thick layer on the back of our phones too, as a home made case of sorts but let it cure several days or you'll be feeling high 😅

[@timpearce4255]

And for painting Chigger (red-bug) bites to control the incessant itch! Red finger nail polish seemed to work better for Chigger bites for me. It still worked for match water proof.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yep all of the above

[@mikebsbd]

Great stuff, Thank you for sharing.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@forestgnome55]

Hey Blackie! Good stuff! Thanks for the reminder!

[@DanielBelliveau-y5x]

Definitely a good thing to know , thanks Mr. Thomas , this could potentially be a life saver someday .

[@davidneal6920]

Good hack. Nail polish is Also good to keep your nails pretty when out hunting 🇺🇸 🇳🇿

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

lol

[@pemekd6369]

I didn't know this one, thanks!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

You bet!

[@peterslabinger6221]

Hi blackie , that a really nice tip. Dave from Really Big Monkey gave a tip about using nail polish to preserve your ferro rod. Nail Polish has 101 uses.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Great idea

[@timlacy2284]

Blackie, Tip and Trick on waterproofing kitchen matches and one of my old books that I've had for years and used in Boy Scout days is Backcountry Camping by Bill Riviere has a lot of great information it. Thanks Again Sir for sharing your Time and Knowledge and Wisdom and Experience and Passing On The Craft. Tim L.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for the book title i will look into it

[@oldminer5387]

Thank you Blackie. I have dipped wooden matches in melted canning wax but did not know about nail polish.

[@willames363]

Smart, cool video, thank you

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad you liked it!

[@hiramhaji7813]

Great information

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Glad you liked it

[@isomer13]

I've done this for 30+ years. Maybe longer. I read it in an old Mother Earth News. I tried it, it worked, and keep matches like this ever since. It'll keep the matches from rubbing the ends against each other and degrading too.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

very true

[@misolgit69]

Hi Blackie according to whst I've read on the Internet the declining availability of strike anywhere matches is due to International shipping regulations banning the transportation of the precise chemicals needed to make them so.....if that is true if you find any buy them with alacrity here in UK we used to have Swan Vesta matches those things were so volatile you could "almost' strike them on a window pane, only trouble was they were really short so you had to be quick

[@MichaelR58]

Good tip Blackie , thanks for sharing YAH bless !

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching

[@smoothvern165]

Great tip! I’ll be giving this a try!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

safe journeys

[@dennisfields8339]

Thanks for the video

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

my pleasure

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. You presented several great tips and techniques, plus some food for thought.

[@B-leafer]

Yes, I've burned my leg many times with fluid leaking out ny zippo. It happened enough for me to now carry my zippo in a pouch on my belt, with a ranger band around where the lid and bottom meet which reduces evaporation. Beyond that, "two is one, one is none" so.. I generally carry a ferro rod as well. Waterproofed matches is another redundant fire starter which I always carry in the woods.

[@DaleFerrant]

Have noticed the decline in matches to the point they ain't much. Thanks for the tip!

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

so have i the heads are half of what they were

[@lens7859]

Fantastic idea Blackie !

[@reneschaap8091]

goedenavond Blackie 👍

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@toms_dayoff]

👍 We prepare everything for bushcraft and survival. So way we should not prepare matches to? Another good tipp ... by igniting the match, hold in the same time, your tinder bundle directly on the match. So the whole ignite energy can go instandly on the tinder.

[@timpearce4255]

On YT, somebody has a video for DYI strike anywhere matches from kids toy caps. Looked like they worked as good as what I remember strike anywhere matches did.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

very cool

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice tip Blackie😊thanks for sharing 😊

[@jeramiefisher8043]

That is a really awesome tip.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@kenbarrett6466]

Awesome tip. .. I also saw where taking jute and wrapping them part of the way increases the burn .. I wonder if doing both will really kick it up a notch ..

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i think it would

[@liammalarky3483]

I did this back in the 1980's. With two sisters still at home obtaining nail polish wasn't a problem. I agree, today's matches aren't as good. Today's "Lifeboat" matches are pretty poor too. Even the army issue one's.

[@outdoorlife5396]

I use Vaseline and cotton or dryer lint to make fire. You put them in a straw, pack it down and seal the ends. Then when I get a small fire it helps get it burning. I enjoyed the video.

[@JPMerolla001]

ANOTHER great tip. Thanks blackie. I personally never carry matches. I carry my bic and my ferro rod. But there is something to be said about some matches. For sure. 😊

[@outbackowl3040]

Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺, thank you for your time to make these videos, a great tip , we had the red head matches , and the green one's, the red head matches we're the best.

[@SavageVoyageur]

I still have a few of those strike anywhere matches in a match safe, still work too. I also still use a zippo, best lighter ever made, IMHO.

[@MrRourk]

I heard of the wax trick but never knew the fingernail polish one. Thanks Blackie. Have you tried it with paper book matches.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i have not tried it with the paper ones but it might help

[@davesanders9203]

Thanks. Been there - done that!

[@jeffrichards5106]

That's great, Blackie. I remember hearing or reading about that too. I never tried it though. I thought that by dipping the match in the nail polish, it would make the match hard to strike since it had the coating on it. I remember the good blue and green tip matches. Took them camping with me all the time. I don't understand why they stopped making them? 👍🔥

[@brianbartulis9709]

I've not looked for them since a purchase in early 2000s for my trailer stove. But two things come to mind why rare: Auto ignition ranges, and there's a chance the whole box could go up if dropped the box. Crazy to imagine the latter, but looky what happened to gasoline cans. There must be a buncha folks that live amongst us the use matches and gas cans with boxing gloves on. (-:

[@jeffrichards5106]

@@brianbartulis9709 Yeah, I guess they have to make everything idiot proof nowadays..lol

[@mrkultra1655]

Thanks Blackie

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad to help

[@prestongivens3594]

Here’s an idea: take 1 or 2 of your dipped matches, and put them unlit into the tinder, maybe with the heads near each other. Then lit another dipped match, and put it in the tinder, with head near the others. The other matches act as kickers for the lit match. Many variations of this idea come to mind.

[@dirtyscoundrel2013]

I fully dip my matches. First the top half, then when it dries, the bottom half. Also i use hunters orange nail polish. If dropped the orange makes them easy to see.

[@cowtipper6705]

Good stuff Sir!

[@charleswalter2902]

I remember having the Zippo burns on my thigh from the old fluid lighters.

[@williamdroom5789]

I remember this old tip. How about dipping lifeboat matches. 😉

[@bentonlindsey6098]

I found some strike anywhere matches at Rural King in Dothan . Don't know if they still have them.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks i will check asap

[@dallasbryan9959]

Blackie, if you take the other end and dip it in paraffin you can extend the flame and make a super match for fire starting.

[@JohnDoe-qw4gc]

Love it.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

glad you do

[@greywuuf]

Finger nail polish used the be lacquer, not sure today. I have toyed with using lacquer as a water proofing agent on paper cartridges. Best is aircraft "dope" as it is nitroceluous based....as is modern smokeless powder.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

good idea

[@Jaden48108]

I wonder if you can do the same with a book of paper matches? Okay, I'm sold. Dollar Store here I come.

[@alf3553]

The matches that I can find here 🇨🇦 are terrible, so now the only ones I buy now are the UCO Stormproof & I rarely use them.

[@BeefT-Sq]

The old Strike-Anywhere Matches were a fire hazard. Walmart sells Diamond brand matches in the aisle wih paper plates etc. I tried the nail polish trick years ago but it made the matches hard to light. Maybe the brand of nail polish makes a difference.

[@lessage760]

GREAT VIDIO SIR I USE TODO THE WAX THING WITH MATCHES AND TOLIET PAPER IN A TIN COFFEE CAN FOR LITE AND COOKING ON THANKS FOR THE VIDIO SIR

[@boilerhand1]

Thanks Blackie.. You can also pick up a small butane pencil torch , small butane refill bottle, and oxy/ acetylene striker, and have a small storeable pinpoint flame device which runs several days. You have soldering capability if using mapp gas too.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Great tip!

[@GreenBadgerOutdoors]

I haven't tried this yet. I usually wrap the matchstick in a little bit of cotton and dip the whole thing in wax.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thats works as well

[@gladeshunter8796]

I’d like to try this on some UCO Titans .

[@badhat3051]

Dimon matches were still making the old kitchen matches about 8 months ago

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i will look i have not seen any local to me in quite some time

[@lewisward4359]

Blackie, Nice trick. The lacquer in your workshop would also work for that. About 25-30 years ago we couldn't purchase strike anywhere matches in the local area. I stopped by a regional supermarket in the next town down the road 12 miles from here is in another county and they still sold them. I think insurance underwriters were worried they would be sued so they forced the stores to not sell them anymore. We purchase the red/white or blue/white tipped matches when we find them. No wood stove anymore and our propane range has an electric started except when the electricity is out.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i am sure it was something like that that made them quit carrying them it a shame really they were great for camping

[@gerryroush8391]

It it less expensive coil dope for electronics than the factory stuff nail polish

[@FredFreiberger-pk6wc]

What would this do in home made fire starters

[@MasonBaker-i8m]

Does this trick make the matches waterproof?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

yes

[@charlesmckinney]

Real varnish beats nail polish. Then comes good lacquer.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks

[@GarryH-nd6tx]

Remember burning my leg many times because I overfilled my Zippo! 😅

[@smd482000]

Me 2

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

i did as well over filled and in a front pocket of tight jeans on a canoe trip in august i did not realize til that night i had a burn 6 inches across

[@Georgecobb-s1v]

There is another good use of clear fingernail polish: it is good for chigger & redbug bites.

[@drrobert2120]

👍👍👍🔥

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

thanks for watching

[@YouTuber-mc2el]

Would have liked to see how the polish stood up to a waterproofing test. Wax is a proven method. But the polish if proved waterproof successful is much easier to apply.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

Next time!

[@thomas-i5o7h]

Well, what if you were to apply the nail polish, and once that is dry, wrap some gorilla tape around the match also ?

[@jerrydonnelly6134]

I think ace hardware sell strike anywhere matches. I let you all know if they do and if they are worth the purchase. 3.99.

[@kennethwilson8633]

Not gonna question your manhood unless you come up with a lipstick hack…just kidding…have fun stay safe.

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

lol

[@Gary-ks8rz]

It's Bull that we can no longer get good strike anywhere matches.

[@coreopolis]

Where’s a source you trust to buy from?

[@BLACKIETHOMAS]

please post a source i will be happy to buy some

[@Gary-ks8rz]

​@@BLACKIETHOMAS I don't have a source. I was just fussing that they don't make them anymore. Ahhh, the good ol' days.

[@JO-rk5gu]

Everyone has went to the storm proofs, freakin $9.00 for 25

[@Gary-ks8rz]

@JO-rk5gu Storm proofs still require a striker too. (scratch pad)

[@brianbartulis9709]

Low quality?...looky how cheap they got on the striker. Where once one continuous strip it's now just dots on a few brands. ~ It's hard to figure that worked.. making it through the NP coating and lit. meh, even tho low exposure I've breathed 'nuff acrylates in my life at the chem plant.

[@larrykent3568]

Never store food in ammunition cans, EXTREAMLY TOXIC. Some cans of ammunition are as old as 70 years.

[@ianhobbs4984]

Your not practicing match safety which is to STRIKE THE MATCH AWAY FROM YOU.

[@tikkidaddy]

While I much prefer the UCO Titan match trimmed to fit a good matchbox, EXOTAC etc. I also heard that if ya want to go to the fuss you can carefully wrap several small turns of Gorilla Tape around those big long kitchen matches, ADD this to those taped up ones? That'll fire it up 😂

[@tikkidaddy]

Yeah I really miss those old Ohio blue tips. So much is done in the name of safety that is nothing more than excuse for making a substandard product, you can't even tell people to stop and THINK and read and follow directions with a ZIPPO or EXOTAC , any fluid lighter that they don't get their feelings hurt. 😂 TURN that Titanlight upside down, fluid goes into lid if it has migrated, put it back in or on your fire lay and WIPE the lighter and your hands off! They had much rather make a video on how bad something is, based on a lack of forethought, whine, and complain just for views