Emergency Fire Starters: Lighters vs. Matches

Lighters and matches are probably the two most commonly carried types of fire starters out there, and not just for survival, camping or bushcraft purposes.

All the same, lighters and matches are often included in survival gear, so this post will break down the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

Advantages of Lighters

First, it’s important to recognize that there are many different types of lighters, not just with respect to fuel, but also what sorts of ignition systems they have. Therefore, these advantages may be specific to one or another type of lighter. Nonetheless: 

• Lighters usually work when wet; Zippos and other liquid-fuel lighters might cause a little trouble when wet but gas-fueled lighters usually are fine even after a soak.

• Lighters usually offer more lights than matches.

• A lighter flame can be sustained for longer than a match flame.

• Some lighters, specifically electronic survival lighters, produce a hotter arc than a match’s flame

• Some lighters can be refueled and re-flinted.
• Even when a lighter runs out of fuel, oftentimes the ignition system can still be used for a spark to get a fire going.

Disadvantages of Lighters

Now let’s talk about some of the disadvantages of lighters:

• Lighters can run out of fuel when you need them most.

• Some lighters leak, making it difficult to ascertain the level of fuel they contain.

• Lighters, even cheap ones, are generally more expensive than matches.

• Some lighters are heavier than matches.
• Some lighters (specifically butane lighters) are more temperamental in the cold and are not reliable under these conditions.

Advantages of Matches

Matches are an age-old alternative to striking a fire, and as a result they offer quite a few advantages:

• Matches can be highly affordable.

• They are very lightweight.

• Waterproof matches will work even in adverse conditions.

• Matches can be split so that one match can strike more than one light.

• Matches don’t require separate fuel, and they can’t leak.
• Matches perform well under all atmospheric temperatures and conditions.

Disadvantages of Matches

Now let’s put the disadvantages of matches under a microscope:

• Some matches are not waterproof; others need a striker plate or pad to work.

• Carrying a lot of matches can take up more room than a single lighter would.

• Matches can be blown out or doused, and cannot be struck again; a lighter can be re-struck.
• Even most long-burning matches can’t sustain a flame for as long as most lighters, making it more challenging to strike a fire once you’ve lit the match.

Alternative Fire Starters 

In the spirit of fairness, since we’ve plumbed the potential advantages and disadvantages of both lighters and matches, it’s important to note that there are many other alternative fire starters out there. 

Some of these are ferrocerium rods (also called flints or fire steels), actual flints and steels, sparkwheels, and wax-impregnated fire starters, all of which can be used to help you start a fire under adverse conditions. 

Where to Get High-Quality Fire Starters and Other Survival Gear

Since both matches and lighters are associated with distinct advantages and disadvantages, we’re going to fall back on an old readiness maxim: two is one and one is none. 

That is to say, you should not look at this situation as though you should carry or pack either matches or a lighter. You should pack both and use each as the unique situation and conditions permit or require. 

Otherwise, if you’re here for more information on emergency and survival fire starters, take a look at what’s available at CH KADELS. They carry a variety of survival gear and bushcraft equipment, including fire starters and camp cooking equipment. Visit their website today and stock up. 

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