How to make matchless matches

These matches are lit on almost any surface, without a special grater at the end of the matchbox. This is very convenient, and sometimes simply necessary when fishing, hiking or hunting.

What you need

You will need the following materials and equipment:

• Matches and several matchboxes.
  
• Sandpaper.
  
• Small container and stirring stick.
  
• A little water and a pipette.
  
• Pliers.
  
• A small plastic, wood or metal tube.
  
• Some kind of surface for drying matches (I used a CD box).

Making non-grate matches

Red phosphorus is removed from the ends of matchboxes using sandpaper.

The resulting powder is placed in a container for further manipulation.

A few drops of water are added to the phosphorus dust and mixed thoroughly until a liquid slurry is obtained.


Then the sulfur match heads are dipped one after another into the resulting mixture.


The treated matches are laid out in one row and left in a warm place to dry.

While the matches are drying, another mixture is prepared to re-treat the match heads. To prepare it proceed as follows:

• The sulfur from several new (untreated) matches is removed using pliers.
  
  
  
  
• The sulfur is rolled into a fine powder.
  
  
  
  
• Sulfur powder is placed in a container, a few drops of water are added to it and mixed.

Dried matches are dipped in sulfur gruel and again laid out to dry.

Important! After each operation, you must wash your hands thoroughly, since liquid phosphorus or sulfur that gets on the skin can cause serious burns.

Matches test

Completely dry matches should light when rubbed against almost any rough surface.



Lights up and burns just fine!