Cool Ways To Light A Match [6 Ways That’ll Blow Your Mind]

Do you ever wish there was a cool and unique way to light matches? Sick of the same old flick that has been around for ages, it’s time for something new.

From useful methods with improbable objects to crazy binary combinations – these six ways will blow your mind!

Being creative with how you light a match can definitely help add an interesting twist to any day.

Imagine the look on your friends’ faces when they see you execute these unique approaches next time around campfires or barbeques – let’s jump right in and discover some cool ways to light matches ahead!

1. Light Match With Other Matches

If you have no other sparking surface and need to light a safety match, an interesting way is by using another match.

Arrange four matches into a 2-by-2 square shape with your safety match in the middle gap, then press down quickly on each side of the square. If done correctly, this will be enough of a spark to light the safety match.

However, you need to be cautious when doing this as your fingers risk becoming burned if they place too close to any part of the matches’ heads.

Furthermore, one must use caution, given multiple matches can be lit at once.

Therefore, finding a proper striking surface should always take precedence over this method if one is available, as they are often much safer.

2. Use Sand Paper

One interesting way to light a match is with sandpaper.

The striking surface on most matchboxes has similar properties as traditional sandpaper, making it an ideal makeshift material for lighting up your matches.

To ensure you get the right level of friction and spark necessary when using this method, make sure you have proper support when tackling the task at hand: try tucking or fastening it against a stable wall or wrapping it around a block.

The coarseness of the sandpaper can be adjusted to ensure you get the ideal level of friction when striking your match—higher grits will require less pressure but may not provide enough spark. Conversely, lower grits will need a bit more force.

3. Lighting Up Your Match with Rocks

When camping or hiking outdoors, using a rock to light your match is an ingenious method. Rocks can easily be found in most natural environments, so finding one for the job should not be hard.

Make sure when selecting a stone that it has an abrasive surface, and also make sure it is completely dry (although, if you have waterproof matches, then dryness won’t matter). Otherwise, enough heat won’t be generated to light the match.

Once you have a suitable rock, all that is left for you to do is drag your match along it in one strong and deliberate motion – then voila! You got yourself an alight flame.

Not only rocks but many building materials like concrete or bricks can be used to light matches as long as they are both dry and rough.

This technique is great in more built-up areas where you could easily light a match on the side of a wall, curb, and more.

Some windows even work if enough force and your fingers are close to its head while dragging apply.

4. Using Your Fingernails

To light a match with your fingernails, you will need to first grip the match in between your index and middle finger, pointing upwards.

Place the edge of your thumbnail slightly to the left of the top of the match, making sure to use the edge just right of your nail tip and apply pressure. Quickly but deliberately flick forward towards the left.

This motion should generate enough friction for a chemical reaction to light up a strike anywhere match, though safety matches need a specific surface.

Be careful while performing this technique since your hand will be in close proximity to the lit flame. If necessary, at any moment, drop the wooden match immediately to avoid burning.

5. Start a Match Fire With a Shoe

If you don’t have access to a lighter or cigar matches, it is possible to create fire using the rough sole of your shoe.

To do this, take hold of the matchstick between just your thumb and index finger – being careful to keep your fingers at the base of the stick – and place its head against a dry, debris-free part of your shoe’s sole.

Make sure that there is full contact between the matchhead and sole before you start making any moves.

Once complete pressure has been applied onto both surfaces, draw them briskly together in one smooth motion: The friction created should lead to a spark and an ignited matchstick.

Just be sure not to point the lit end at yourself or any nearby, flammable objects – safety first!

6. Light Up a Match Stick With Teeth

Lighting a match with your teeth is not something we would generally recommend, but if you find yourself in need of an emergency light source and all else has failed, the following steps can help.

Firstly, you’ll need to firmly grasp the matchstick between your incisors with the match head facing outward. Your dominant hand will then flick the head of the match rapidly, creating friction and igniting it in a flash.

Although this method is a favorite among performers and tricksters, it is essential to be cautious when attempting this.

Burning your lips or face are common risk while approaching the match in an incorrect manner.

We suggest practicing with unlit matches before trying this lighting method with real ones.

What is the Easiest Way to Light Up a Match?

The easiest way to light up a match is with the help of a permanent reusable match that uses kerosene.

Permanent reusable matches have a reservoir with kerosene which can be ignited using friction. The flaming end of the match is then used to light up other matches or candles, and they don’t need replacing like regular matches do.

To use it safely, pour some kerosene into the reservoir at one end of the match, then attach a wick at the other end.

To light it up, press and twist your finger firmly on top of its middle piece, which will cause enough friction to ignite the kerosene stored inside.

How Do You Light A Safety Match Without a Box?

Lighting a safety match without a match box is possible, though it requires careful coordination to ensure that the flame does not get out of hand. The most popular and safest method involves using a rock like granite or flint.

To use this method, grip the matchstick in one hand and hold it securely at an angle of 45 degrees over the rock.

Strike the head of the matchstick with enough force against a flat, rough spot on top of your chosen rock so that sparks fly off in all directions and ignite one end of your safety match.

Once it’s lit, you can light whatever items require fire for their operation safely without needing a matchbox.

You can also use sandpaper with more or less similar results – simply rub your safety matchstick along its course and rough edges until friction is generated, resulting in sparks that ignite one end of the stick.

Finally, you can also light your safety match heads off another lit matchstick or even from the flame of a candle.

How Do You Light A Match With Your Fingers?

Lighting a match with your fingers only works on strike anywhere matches, which are not as common these days (but may be available at certain stores).

When lighting one of these struck matches, you first need to scratch the tip briskly but gently against any rough surface. This way sparks from friction will eventually ignite the tip into a flame.

However, you should be aware that this may take more force than with standard strike on matchboxes due to waterproof liquid coating them.

When lighting your struck matches in general and especially when using only your fingernail as an igniter – use caution! Too much pressure can break or wear down the ignition tip making it ineffective.

Furthermore, you should avoid repeating the motion too quickly, as sparks from heat may cause burns on your fingers.

Therefore it is critical to move slowly when building up the heat so that lighting a match isn’t done suddenly or without warning.

Do Matchsticks Expire?

Most matchsticks do not come with an expiration date. However, they will eventually expire and become unusable if stored for too long.

The discoloration of matchsticks is often a sign that they are too old – the bright red phosphorous coating we’re used to seeing on them being replaced with either burgundy or duller shades.

In addition, it’s important to remember not all boxes contain special matches that will ignite at an equal rate.

Older and dampened ones may need several strikes before lighting, and even then, they may not light properly.

It’s therefore important to ensure that your matchstick boxes are stored in a dry place or replaced regularly after use – otherwise, you risk them becoming difficult to ignite when you need them most.

Final Words

We’ve just discovered some unique and extraordinary ways to light a match. Whether it be using sandpaper or shoe as your kindling, each one promises an equally impressive outcome!

Being able to command this extreme degree of control has the potential to make common activities like campfires and barbeques even more exciting with an awesome trick.

But please do keep safety in mind as matches are volatile tools filled to the brim with a small flame waiting to burst out.

On top of that, be sure you have adult supervision close at hand, particularly when it comes down to gathering materials such as rocks and sandpaper.

Every one of the mentioned methods requires you to have an adventurous spirit and a thirst for discovery, so remember that sometimes pushing boundaries is necessary to make something extraordinary!