When it comes to starting a fire, matches are one of the best options out there -- this option has been around for a long time. Matches use the heat generated by violent friction with a rough surface to ignite a small amount of flammable fuel. Since lighters are an easy and safe common choice for starting a fire, knowing some other ways to light them can be a helpful skill if you encounter an uncommon type of lighter. Once you get the hang of the basics of matches, you can even learn how to light them on different types of surfaces which is a handy trick!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Basics in Lighting a Match
If you already know how to light a match normally and want to learn some fun tricks to light it, click here.
Wooden Lighters
Step 1. Hold the match firmly at its center point
Use your middle finger and thumb to hold the match about half the length down from the matchstick. You can gently circle the base of the matchstick with your other finger for support if needed.
If this is your first time lighting a match, stick with the wooden lighter to light it using the box for now; here is the easiest way to light a match. Once you are confident in this way, you can try using a paper match and lighting another match
Step 2. Press the match head towards the igniter
Find a rough red or brown stripe on the side of the box. This is called an "igniter". Hold the box with the other hand and press the match head (the round, colored end) toward the igniter without first moving it to the other side.
Step 3. Quickly slide the match head along the igniter
Without releasing pressure, quickly slide the match head from one side of the igniter to the other. This movement should be fast and hard. It's almost as if you were trying to swipe the matchhead material in one rough motion. If you do it right, the match heads will burn quickly, so don't be surprised when this happens!
The pressure you need to light this match will vary from match to match and from one igniter to another. The pressure used is between hard and soft pressure where if it is too hard the match will break and if it is too soft then the match will not light up. In a few tries, you should get used to it
Step 4. If needed, try again
The match won't always go off on the first try, don't worry if you don't get the fire burning right away: simply repeat the swipe again until you get the result. You may want to apply a little extra pressure if you're worried that you're going too smooth on the first try.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the combustible material in the matchhead (usually a mixture of potassium chloride and red phosphorus) will fade. off. If this happens, try striking with the other side of the match head
Step 5. Hold the matchstick slightly away from the matchbox
You will know as soon as you successfully light your match. The lighter will smoke and burn almost instantly. At this point, hold the base of the matchstick to protect your fingers from the fire and use the lighter where you need it. Put the matchbox away somewhere safe so you don't accidentally burn the match. Safe; You just lit your first match!
Would you like to learn more about how to hold your lighter for maximum effectiveness? Click here
Paper Match
Step 1. Take one matchstick from the booklet
Matchsticks are almost always available in small cardboard boxes: take a flat piece of cardboard from the cardboard to find a number of matchsticks joined at the base of the booklet. To prepare the matchstick for lighting, slide it so that it separates from the other matchsticks, and pull it out of the base.
Paper matches are a little more difficult to light than wooden matches, but with a little practice, they can be easily mastered. Don't worry if you have to try some of the methods in this section several times until you find the method that's right for you
Step 2. Hold the matchstick parallel to the igniter
There are a few different ways to light a paper match, but the easiest way is slightly different from what you would do to light a wooden match. Start by placing the matchstick facing the igniter (which is usually a small colored strip on the back of the match paper). The match head should be in the center of the igniter and the base of the matchstick should stick out slightly from the end of the booklet.
Step 3. Fold the match paper to cover the match
Without moving the match, bend the layer of match paper back and fold it over to cover the match. You should only be able to see the base of the matchstick sticking out of the side of the match paper. It's up to you if you want to put the match heads under the cardboard. Take the match paper, apply gentle pressure on the head of the match against the cardboard with your thumb.
Try to keep the match head well covered with a layer of match paper. If the tip of the head of the match is visible when you swipe the match, you can burn your thumb
Step 4. Press and drag
Grab the base of the match sticking out of the fold of the match paper with your dominant hand. Using your other hand to hold the booklet, press down on the match head. In one quick motion, press down on the match head as you pull the match out to the side of the box. If done correctly, the friction between the igniter and the match head should ignite the match when you pull it out.
- Just like wooden matches, matches can fail at any time even when you do everything. Prepare to repeat the above steps several times. If you don't get any results, turn the lighter facing the other side of the korean head towards the igniter.
- Be careful if you press the match too hard. You can tear the head of the match when you try to light the match. That would be a waste of matches, so try to avoid it. To try this method, try to avoid it if you have very few matches left.
Step 5. Alternatively, try to light the match without folding the match paper
You can also light a match without pressing it between the lighter and the igniter. It's a little tricky for beginners as it will be easier to burn your fingers, but it's still faster. To try this method follow these steps:
- Hold the match in your dominant hand with your thumb and middle finger. Place your index finger behind the head of the match. Hold the match paper in your other hand.
- Press down with your index finger and slide the match along the igniter strip in one swift motion like how you light a wooden match.
- Once you notice the match is lit, slide your index finger away from the flame or move it to your other hand. You should do this ASAP to avoid burning yourself.
Method 2 of 3: How to Light a Match Quickly
Step 1. For best results, use a match that can light anywhere for this trick
You don't have to provide an igniter to light most matches: as long as you use enough friction to heat the head of the match, you can light as many matches almost anywhere in a dry place. However, this is usually easy if you use a lighter that can be lit anywhere. As the name suggests, this lighter is designed to ignite well on a variety of surfaces.
- Matches that can be lit anywhere are usually wooden matches identified on the package. Usually inexpensive: a pack of 250 matchsticks costs around IDR 25,000.
- lighters that can be lit anywhere “work only on dry surfaces”.
Step 2. Try lighting with a stone
This method is usually a must for campers, hikers, and anyone looking to improve their survivability in the wild. For best results, you want to find a dry stone surface with a slightly rough or abrasive surface. The surface shape should be similar to roadside concrete. As mentioned above, the stone must also be dry. If you can't find a dry stone, find a suitable wet stone, wipe it with your shirt, and carry it in your pocket for a few hours to dry.
Hold the match between your middle finger and thumb and use your index finger to press the head of the match against the stone. This method is the same as what you would use to light a match without folding it. The rougher the surface of the stone, the lighter you will want to apply friction to start the fire
Step 3. Try to light on a rough building material
If you're in a residential area but trapped without access to a lighter, you can usually use materials that are around you. Simply swipe the match the same way you would use a common igniter or stone, using less pressure for rough materials. For this to work, however, the material you are using must be completely dry. Just some of the possibilities for the material include:
- concrete
- cement (between floors, etc.)
- brick
- ceramic
- Note that rubbing a match can leave small stains on any material you use, so you may not want to do this to other people's belongings.
Step 4. Sand
This method is useful when you are stuck without a matchbox in the garage or repair shop. Excellent sandpaper works well for it; sandpaper with a rough surface rub against the head of the match without turning it on. Simply place a piece of sandpaper on a flat surface, then press the head of the match against the sandpaper and slide it along it like you would a regular match.
Never light a match around wood chips (usually found where sandpaper is). This flammable material can easily start a fire
Step 5. Carefully try to turn it on your zipper
This is a great party way, but it's something you want to try carefully to avoid hurting yourself and others. Open the front cover of your pants to find the zipper. Use one hand to pull the fabric of your pants to keep the zipper as straight and flat as possible. Hold the match in your other hand, press it towards the top of your zipper, and slide it down with light pressure. This can be a tricky one to get right, so don't be surprised if it takes a lot of trial and error.
- always slide down toward the floor, not up toward your body. This way, if you lose control with the match, it will fall to the floor rather than fly into your shirt.
- Only try if you're wearing a pair of stiff, tough pants like denim which usually don't burn easily. Don't try this when you're wearing shorts or shoes that show your big toe.
Step 6. Swipe on the window
Believe it or not, even very smooth window panes can light a match. You will need a certain amount of pressure with this method, so try to place your index finger just behind the head of the match so you can press it against the surface of the glass with a little force. Press the match head against the glass, then slide it quickly down in one swift motion, keeping the pressure firm. Slide your index finger away from the head of the match as quickly as possible while the match is lit to keep yourself from getting burned.
This can leave stains on the glass, so you probably don't want to do this on windows where ordinary people notice it. However, stains can usually be removed without any major problems
Step 7. For an extreme challenge, try turning on your gear
This method will certainly get the attention of those around you, but only try it if you are willing to protect yourself and others with a lot of common sense. First, let your front teeth dry as much as possible with a clean cloth or towel. Then, holding the tip of the match head against your teeth, swipe while applying sufficient pressure. Hold the match away from your mouth as quickly as possible, even if you think lighting it won't work. Wash your mouth with water after you are done.
- Another way is to hold the match behind your two front teeth and slide it down and out.
- This shouldn't be talked about, but it requires a lot of attention to be safe. It is very "possible" that you can burn your mouth and lips this way. Repeating this experiment is not recommended, as the effect of the chemical from the match head on the teeth is unknown.
Method 3 of 3: Holding a Lit Matchstick
Step 1. Hold the lighter slightly downwards to keep the fire burning
As a general rule, fire will burn well as it travels upward. this is true even on a very small scale. Holding a lit match slightly pointing towards the floor will give you a slight path upward as the fire burns the match.
This keeps the fire burning brightly without having to spread to your hands too quickly. You can also always adjust the angle of the match upwards to slow the fire if you need more time
Step 2. Hold the match at a very low angle to keep the pie large
If you want a big fire in your lighter as quickly as possible, try lowering the angle of the matchstick for a second or two. The fire should spread upward from the trunk in no time, giving you a bigger fire. However, this fire will also get hotter and closer to your finger, so be extra careful with it.
Try to avoid aiming the matchstick straight down. This will make the fire spread more quickly up to your finger and is a good way to burn
Step 3. Hold the match pointing up for a small, faded flame
Holding the match pointing up will make it more difficult for the fire to spread the fuel in the matchstick. The fire will get smaller and burn more slowly. Over time, the fire will either creep down your finger or it will go out on its own.
Step 4. Be careful with the wind
Be careful of gusts of wind if you light your match outside. This can extinguish the flame of your match when it is freshly lit, thus wasting your match. You may want to move to an area where there is no gust of wind or wait for the gusts to stop before trying to light a match.
If you have to light a match in the wind, it's a good idea to protect the fire by positioning your body and hands between the match and the wind
Suggestion
- In addition to the various methods listed above, you can also light any match by simply holding the head of the match in the direction of a burning fire, such as a burning stove, camp fire, or even the flame of another match.
- When using lighters for camping (which look like longer matches), place your fingers about half an inch from your head so you don't break the stems when you light the matches.
Warning
- Always light the match away from the body or in a downwards position. You don't want to accidentally hold a lit match close to your body.
- Never light a match around flammable materials such as gasoline, kindling, chemicals, and so on.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings when lighting a match. Do not light matches around children, pets, or anything else that might be susceptible to a lit fire.
- The lighter will remain quite hot after you switch it off. After using the match, dip it in the water to make sure that the match will not start a fire on anything in the trash.
- Do not allow children to handle or play with matches.
