Eternal match: how to use, reviews

Pros of eternal matches

Having figured out how to use an eternal match, you can move on to considering the main advantages and disadvantages of this device. Obviously, the device can be used in any place where there is no source of fire.

The user does not have to worry about the device getting into a puddle, since the flint is easy to clean by hand. It is recommended to refill the eternal match before going on a hike.

Expert opinion

Smirnov Alexander Stanislavovich

Wilderness survival instructor. More than 15 years of teaching experience

Regular lighter gasoline is perfect for this. If the device's wick dries out, the device will still generate sparks. With skill, you can use them to light a fire.

The device is indispensable on a hike because it takes up little space in a backpack or pocket. The weight of the product is very small, so the device will not cause any trouble to the user.

An eternal match can produce the same amount of fire as half a box of regular matches. The product is an indispensable assistant in any extreme situation.

In a vertical position, an eternal match burns for about 30 seconds with a stable and long flame.

Do-it-yourself eternal match

Hello everyone, if you have a lathe and you want to make something interesting, master work skills, try making a lighter like this for yourself. For others, I also recommend studying this homemade product, I especially advise you to watch a sticky video on how to make it.

Such a lighter will always work, it’s good to take with you when traveling, save it in case of an apocalypse, or you can simply give it as a souvenir. It does not require the presence of fuel; if the wick is dry, it will burn anyway, albeit for a shorter period of time.

However, very little fuel is needed here; gasoline, alcohol, acetone, and indeed any flammable liquids will do. The lighter is durable and almost impossible to break.

To make the lighter, the author decided to use an alloy called ferrocerium. When metal rubs against it, a large number of thick sparks are formed, which ignite the wick and everything dry and flammable that is nearby. In principle, the homemade product is an improved version of the flint, which can be ordered from China.

And of course, any product costs much more if you make it yourself. Making a homemade product is not difficult; a lathe is needed to make a “match” with a wick, but this spare part can be found ready-made. For example, similar threaded tubes are found in some car carburetors. As a last resort, the part can be ordered to a turner.

So, let's take a closer look at how such a lighter is made.

Materials and tools used by the author:

List of materials:

- a rod made of ferrocelium or magnesium (buy flint); - nitric acid, rosin and tin for soldering; - a piece of brass pipe; - screws; - a piece of steel from a hacksaw blade; - a cotton rope (for the wick). List of tools:

- gas torch; - lathe; - drill; - vice; - hacksaw; - file, sandpaper and other tools.

The process of making an eternal match:

Step one. Preparing the body

To make the body you will need a piece of pipe. It can be large or square at your discretion. The metal should preferably be colored, it could be copper or brass. Such metals do not rust, look beautiful and can be soldered. Prepare plugs for the pipe immediately.

After installing them, you will have a chamber in which the fuel will be located, and moisture will not pass to the wick. Step two.

Finishing the ferrocelium rod

We need to attach the spark-producing rod to the lighter. The author secures it with two screws. To solve this problem, holes are drilled and threaded at both ends of the rod.

Of course, the easiest way to do this is on a lathe. If you don’t have a machine, you can try to carefully drill holes with a drill; if your hands grow from the right place, there will be no problems with this. The author also aligns both edges of the rod on the machine. To prevent sparks from flying, lubricate the rod with oil.

Step three.

Manufacturing of holders

To secure the rod to the lighter, we will need to make holders. They are made very simply, just cut out the extra pieces of pipe on both sides. As a result, two plates should remain. We have to carefully bend them. Make cuts at the bend points, and then clamp the plate in a vice and slowly bend it.

To relieve internal stress in the metal, the author heats it with a burner. It is best to bend the metal when it is hot. Well, now all you have to do in the manufactured brackets is to drill holes for the screws.
Step four.
Installation of plugs
Plugs must be installed on both sides of the pipe.

For these purposes, we cut out parts from sheet metal, and then solder them into place. Here you can try using coins made of copper or brass as a material. Before soldering, the author dips the product in nitric acid to remove the protective film. Well, then soldering is carried out using pure tin and rosin. The entire process takes place over a gas burner.

Finally, solder the plugs thoroughly so that there are no gaps, and sand the soldering areas with sandpaper. Don't forget to wash your lighter thoroughly before reassembling. When everything is ready, screw the ferrocelium rod to the lighter body using screws.

Step five.

Making a "match"

The lighter is almost ready, all that remains is to make the match itself. It is a tube made of brass, inside of which there is a wick. A piece of strong steel is placed on the tip of the match, and when it rubs against the rod, sparks fly out. The top of the match has a thread that allows it to screw into the lighter.

The manufacturing process of this part can be seen in the photo and video; everything happens on a lathe. The author used a brass rod as the material. First, the main profile is formed, then a longitudinal hole is drilled in the rod for the wick. Well, then all that remains is to cut the thread, and also form a “head protector” for convenient unscrewing of the match.

Features of the device

It is recommended to refuel to the very top, and when igniting, you should clamp the open hole in the body. This will ensure the safety of gasoline and prevent it from splashing out.

In Chinese products, the wick is made from an ordinary rag, so when the gasoline burns completely, the fabric begins to smolder. After just a few ignitions, the cloth becomes unusable.

In order to extend the service life of the product, it is necessary to replace the rag wick with fiberglass or asbestos. Some people replace the wick with another element that is made from fiberglass. Replacement will increase the burning time of the device to 5 minutes.

Eternal match: how to use, what to refill, pros and cons

November 2, 2018
Equipment
Tatiana Beshcheva

The product will be useful for a traveler, tourist, hunter or fisherman in field conditions. Many people are interested in the question of how to use an eternal match. The technology for using this device is quite simple, so any user can handle it.

How does an eternal match work?

The flat box comes with just a single match that has no “wear.” In order to activate the device, the user only needs to unscrew the metal rod from the key fob housing. The product uses lighter gasoline, which is impregnated with the entire rod. It can be easily ignited by contact with the rim.

How to use an eternal match? The principle of operation is clear and simple. The box contains a screw-out metal tube, at the end of which there is a wick and a piece of hardened iron.

The ignition is started by striking the tube against the flint on the side. The wick lights up from the sparks resulting from this process.

By adding the required amount of fuel to the device, you can extend the service life of the product indefinitely.

Pros of eternal matches

The user does not have to worry about the device getting into a puddle, since the flint is easy to clean by hand. It is recommended to refill the eternal match before going on a hike. Regular lighter gasoline is perfect for this.

If the device's wick dries out, the device will still generate sparks. With skill, you can use them to light a fire.

The device is indispensable on a hike because it takes up little space in a backpack or pocket. The weight of the product is very small, so the device will not cause any trouble to the user.

An eternal match can produce the same amount of fire as half a box of regular matches. The product is an indispensable assistant in any extreme situation.

In a vertical position, an eternal match burns for about 30 seconds with a stable and long flame.

Disadvantages of the device

After we have learned how to light an eternal match and what advantages the device has, we can move on to considering the shortcomings of the product. The advertisement greatly exaggerates the capabilities of this device.

An eternal match is only an auxiliary device that allows you to make fire. The device can only be used a few times before the next gas refill. High-quality products can be ignited no more than 4 times with a ten-second burning period.

After this, the flame strength and combustion intensity decrease.

Low-quality devices quickly break down during intensive use because a strip of silicon peels off. The main reason is poor-quality glue, which is not able to withstand the heavy load from the pressure of the rod.

Some appliances use up gasoline quickly because they have a weak O-ring between the wick head joint and the neck.

Therefore, if you intend to become the owner of such a device, it is recommended to give preference to products made in Europe.

Such products are characterized by high tightness and a large sheaf of sparks. The flame from an eternal match must be protected from gusts of wind, as it easily goes out. In the process of striking sparks, gasoline vapors ignite.

Users of the device can use them to start a fire. If the flame burns for too long, the fuel will burn out.

If the owner of the device quickly extinguishes the fire, the cotton wool will absorb less gasoline, and the burning time will be significantly reduced.

Features of the device

It is recommended to refuel to the very top, and when igniting, you should clamp the open hole in the body. This will ensure the safety of gasoline and prevent it from splashing out. In Chinese products, the wick is made from an ordinary rag, so when the gasoline burns completely, the fabric begins to smolder. After just a few ignitions, the cloth becomes unusable.

Useful life

In many ways, the duration of operation depends on the burnout of the filter. To increase the useful life of the device, it is necessary to replace the filter in a timely manner.

The user does not have to worry if the product gets caught in the rain. Simply wipe the device with a cloth and its functionality will be fully restored. Some buyers call this invention “fearless.” Every person may need an eternal match: from a pragmatic student to an extreme sports enthusiast.

User reviews

In order to form an objective opinion about this device, you can study reviews from real users. The device attracted many buyers for its functionality. The eternal match receives positive reviews; grateful users have already appreciated the merits of the product.

Many note that the device looks very stylish and can be useful at any time. Reviews report that the product is convenient to use. However, users say that an eternal match should not be allowed to burn for a long time. This may cause the entire wick to burn out.

Useful life

In many ways, the duration of operation depends on the burnout of the filter. To increase the useful life of the device, it is necessary to replace the filter in a timely manner.

User reviews

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How to use and refill

Some people don't know how to use an eternal match. In fact, everything here is extremely simple. Working with it is no more difficult than with ordinary matches. Let us describe the whole process for clarity:

Unscrew the match from the container.
Run the pommel along the magnesium strip with light pressure.
Light kindling or other flammable material.
Place the match in the container and tighten it tightly so that the gasoline does not spill out - due to lack of oxygen, the flame will instantly go out.

As you can see, working with an eternal match is no more difficult than with a regular one.

Now let's move on to the next question - how to refill an eternal match? The best option is gasoline for lighters. You can purchase it in many specialized stores.

Expert opinion

Smirnov Alexander Stanislavovich

Wilderness survival instructor. More than 15 years of teaching experience

A high degree of purification allows you to almost completely get rid of impurities that cause an unpleasant odor during combustion. And such fuel smokes much less than gasoline from a gas station.

Scope of application

First of all, this new product is intended for people involved in tourism, for travelers and simply lovers of recreation outside the city.

Unfortunately, nature does not always please us with good weather. Therefore, on long hikes, fishing, during a picnic, etc., the eternal Zippo match can become simply irreplaceable. When it rains or a piercing wind blows, this device can reliably protect you from the cold - lighting a fire with a lighter will not be difficult.

A match can be lit even at a temperature of -30 ⁰C, and in any weather. Even if you accidentally drop the lighter into a puddle, you can simply wipe the magnesium strip on some cloth, and the flint will be in working order again.

Not only now, but also in the future, the eternal match will become a reliable and economical companion for many years to come. This device can be used not only outdoors, but also at home. For example, for lighting a kitchen gas stove or lighting cigarettes. In addition, in the private sector, it is sometimes necessary to burn the collected fallen leaves from the garden, grass, wood or paper.

The cost-effectiveness of this device is obvious. Instead of buying regular matches, which are often of poor quality and do not want to light at all, it is better to purchase a reliable and durable flint. An eternal match will last a long time, since its flint is of excellent quality, and gasoline can be added as needed.

How to refill an eternal match?

For normal operation, the eternal match must be refilled as needed.

How to determine the right moment? It’s very simple: if the match stops lighting, then you need to either pour flammable liquid into the reservoir or pull out the wick further.

Pulling out the wick is simple - just pull its tip until the desired length is reached. But how can you fuel an eternal match? For this you can use:

regular or “galosh” gasoline (smokes a lot, the lighter acquires a specific smell);
kerosene (a complete analogue of gasoline in all respects, only the smell is much more unpleasant);
alcohol (it does not smoke much, the lighter practically does not acquire foreign odors, but it dissipates very quickly);
purified gasoline for lighters (moderately smokes, there is a smell, but not too intrusive and strong).

My recommendation is to use Zippo lighter gas, it's perfect for refilling refillable matches.

How does she look

It may look a little different. For example, the shape can be either rectangular or cylindrical. The size is very modest - no larger than an ordinary matchbox. There is a small pin sticking out at the top. On one of the faces there is a narrow stripe-recess.

In addition, some manufacturers equip their products with small carabiners or rings, like on a key ring. This is a very convenient solution - the eternal match “Pathfinder” can be carried either in a backpack, where it will take up very little space, or in a pocket, or even just on a key ring.

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So putting it in a secluded place in order to be able to start a fire in any conditions would be a completely reasonable decision.

Appearance

The “Eternal Match” lighter from Zippo is a completely new product that appeared on the gasoline lighter market relatively recently.
Despite this, it has already gained significant popularity and gained consumer confidence. is
a rather elegant and stylish accessory that can become your indispensable assistant. It is very compact, but it is not easy to lose it, since the manufacturer has taken care of a special carabiner clasp, with which the device is securely attached to clothing or other objects.

Due to its small size, the flint will look great on a bunch of keys, thereby replacing the usual keychain. In addition, it can serve as a useful and original gift at the same time.

What does it consist of?

The first thing that catches your eye is the body. It may seem to some that this is an eternal match. In fact, the body is only a reservoir for storing flammable liquid - usually high-octane gasoline.

The match itself is the same pin mentioned above. More precisely, it is its upper part. The eternal match is easily unscrewed from the body, as it is equipped with a thread. Thanks to this, a double effect is achieved.

On the one hand, the thread does not allow the match to fall out of the body - no matter how you shake it or hit it against hard objects, it will be securely fixed in place. On the other hand, and this is even more important, the thread seals the hole in the liquid reservoir.

Therefore, it will definitely not spill out and the eternal match will not fail.

There is cotton wool on the top of the match - it is saturated with gasoline when dipped into the container. It evaporates easily even at low temperatures, and its vapor provides a long burn.

A pin made of high-carbon iron protrudes from the cotton wool. By running it across the flint, you can easily strike a spark.

Finally, there is a stripe on the side - we have already talked about it. It has a flint coating, which, when held with a match, produces sparks that ignite gasoline.

Main advantages

Of course, the main advantage due to which the eternal match receives positive reviews is its 100% resistance to moisture. You can put it in water for several hours, days or months, and then take it out, wipe it and immediately light it easily.

No matches, including hunting ones, that are resistant to moisture, without additional sealing, can boast such an important advantage.

Expert opinion

Smirnov Alexander Stanislavovich

Wilderness survival instructor. More than 15 years of teaching experience

In addition, the flame burns much longer than with a regular match - you can easily set fire to even seriously damp kindling, from which the flame will spread and engulf first small branches and then large logs.

It can be used many times. In fact, if you take proper care of it, you can wear it on hikes for many years - until the metal pin that produces the spark wears off. But usually, even with very active use, this does not happen.

It’s nice that despite all this, using it is no more difficult than using an ordinary match - the principle of operation is exactly the same. The main thing is to know about some operating rules. Let's talk about them in more detail.

How to use it correctly

Some owners remain dissatisfied with this simple device, accusing it of many shortcomings, unreliability, and short service life. After all, it is not enough to purchase such a useful device as an eternal match. You also need to know how to use it in order to avoid the most common mistakes.

The fact is that when a spark is struck, gasoline vapors ignite. They should be used to light a fire.

If the flame burns for too long, the gasoline will burn, and then the cotton wool that has been saturated with it will be consumed. Even if you quickly put out the fire, the amount of cotton wool will decrease; accordingly, it will absorb less gasoline, and the burning time of the match will be significantly reduced.

To prevent this from happening, you need to know how to use an eternal match.

First of all, you shouldn’t leave it burning for a long time. It was not possible to quickly ignite the damp kindling - after half a minute of contact with the fire, it only turned black and barely started smoking? It's better to dip the match into the tank again.

Then the cotton wool will be saturated with gasoline again. Yes, the fire will go out. But you can light it again by striking the flint. On the second attempt, you will probably be able to light the already blackened and slightly dried kindling without any problems and, more importantly, the match will not be damaged.

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Also make sure there is fuel in the tank. When actively used, it should be topped up using a syringe - regular gasoline for lighters will do.

As a last resort, you can also use regular gasoline sold at a gas station. But then when using it you will have to put up with an unpleasant odor.

Refined gasoline for lighters produces virtually no odor when burned.

With this care, the match is guaranteed to serve you for many years.

Other ways to make fire without matches

Besides friction and using a lens, there are other ways to make fire without matches. One of the most interesting and worth trying, at least as an experiment, is the use of wool and a 9-watt battery.

Natural wool should be slightly stretched and the battery should be rubbed on it with the side where the contacts are. The wool will begin to smolder, you need to blow on it and quickly transfer it to a pre-prepared “nest” in order to start a fire there.

Flint and steel are suitable for striking sparks, which should then fall on flammable material. Another interesting method is that using ordinary foil and a finger battery: a strip is cut out of the foil and applied on both sides to the ends of the battery; if at this moment you bring the foil to the kindling, the fire will light up.

In order not to be left in nature without a fire, it is better to practice making a fire in extreme conditions in advance.

Have you tried all the ways to start a fire without matches? Share your experience in the comments.

Can it be modified?

Unfortunately, not all people can boast of a careful attitude to things. As a result, even knowing the rules for using an eternal match, some owners may ruin it. But this will not happen if you modify it a little.

All you need to do is replace the cotton wool. Get a small piece of basalt wool somewhere - it is used as insulation.

You can replace regular cotton wool on a match with basalt wool without any problems. The main advantage of this material is its complete non-flammability.

That is, when the gasoline burns out, the match will simply go out and not burn. Now all you have to do is dip it in gasoline and light it again.

After such a simple modification, your little helper is guaranteed to serve you for many years.

Advantages and disadvantages

Expert opinion

Smirnov Alexander Stanislavovich

Wilderness survival instructor. More than 15 years of teaching experience

Like any device, an eternal match has both certain advantages and disadvantages, which are extremely important to know about before purchasing it. First, let's list the main advantages:

Ease of use - working with it is no more difficult than with a regular match.
It burns longer than the usual wooden counterpart, and all this time it will not burn your fingers - the flame is always on the head.
Not afraid of water - even if a tightly twisted waterproof eternal match spends several hours in water, it can be used immediately after the magnesium strip has dried.
You can use it many times - you just need to remember to add fuel, just a few grams at a time.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages. The main one is price. Of course, an eternal match is inexpensive - usually about 100 rubles, give or take a few dozen. But with this money you can buy about a hundred ordinary boxes of matches - such a supply will definitely be enough for several years of active use.

Description of the Zippo lighter

The device consists of a flat or cylindrical metal container of silver color. Its contents are ordinary gasoline or other liquid fuel: alcohol, kerosene, etc. The kit also includes one single “match”, which is a strong metal tube, at the end of which there is a cotton wick impregnated with a flammable substance.

This most eternal match has a special surface on the side, made of magnesium, with the help of which a spark is struck, as a result of which the wick soaked in fuel ignites.