Sulfur Fatwood Matches: A Reliable Fire-Starting Tool

For centuries, fire has been humanity’s most important tool—whether for warmth, cooking, or protection. Long before the modern matchbook, resourceful individuals relied on methods that could ignite a fire quickly and in less-than-ideal conditions. One such method involved sulfur fatwood matches—a combination of resin-rich wood and sulfur that was used to start fires in damp conditions, long before reliable matches and lighters were invented. These homemade matches are still incredibly useful today for survivalists, bushcrafters, and anyone who enjoys being prepared for the unpredictable whims of nature.

Imagine you’re out on a hike or camping trip, and a light drizzle starts coming down just as you’re trying to make a fire. Your traditional matches are getting wet, and your lighter is giving out due to the wind. This is where a sulfur fatwood match becomes invaluable. Designed to ignite easily even in damp conditions, these matches can give you the edge you need to get your fire going and stay warm. Their historical use for outdoor travelers, pioneers, and early settlers is a testament to their durability and effectiveness—skills passed down from the old ways but still just as important today.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of making sulfur fatwood matches—combining ancient techniques with modern preparation. These matches, when paired with an ignition source like charcloth, can provide an almost foolproof way to start a fire in a variety of survival scenarios.

What You’ll Need to Make Sulfur Fatwood Matches

Before diving in, let’s gather our materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Fatwood sticks: Fatwood is resin-rich pine wood that is highly flammable and ideal for fire-starting. You can often find fatwood naturally in pine stumps or purchase it at outdoor stores.
• Sulfur: Sulfur powder can be purchased from garden centers or online. This provides the flammable coating for your matches.
• Heat source: A small stove, campfire, or even a portable propane burner will work.
• Metal container: You’ll need a metal tin or pot to melt the sulfur.
• Knife: For cutting fatwood into matchstick-sized pieces.
• Charcloth: As an ignition source, charcloth catches a spark easily and can be used to ignite the sulfur match. We’ll talk about this as an ignition method later.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Sulfur Fatwood Matches

1. Prepare Your Fatwood Sticks

Fatwood is the key ingredient here due to its high resin content, which makes it burn slowly and intensely. It’s often found in pine stumps or dead pine trees, where the resin has concentrated. If you’re sourcing it from the wild, look for wood that’s golden, sticky, and smells distinctly of pine.

• Using a knife, cut your fatwood into small matchstick-sized pieces, about 3-4 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Try to keep the sizes uniform for consistent burning.

2. Melting the Sulfur

Sulfur melts at a relatively low temperature of around 239°F (115°C), but it can emit toxic fumes when burned, so it’s crucial to melt it safely. Always do this outdoors or in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any fumes.

• Place a small amount of sulfur powder into your metal container or tin.
• Heat the container over your chosen heat source. Once the sulfur melts, it will turn into a yellow liquid. Keep the heat low to avoid burning the sulfur.

Safety Note:
Sulfur is flammable and can ignite if overheated, so monitor it closely and be ready to remove it from the heat if necessary. Wear heat-resistant gloves and avoid directly inhaling fumes by standing upwind.

3. Dip the Fatwood Sticks

Once the sulfur is melted and has a smooth, liquid consistency, you’re ready to coat your fatwood sticks.

• Dip one end of each fatwood stick about 1 to 1.5 inches into the melted sulfur.
• Carefully remove it and let the sulfur cool and harden for a few minutes. You’ll notice it forms a yellow coating around the wood.
• Repeat the process for additional layers if you want a thicker sulfur coating, which will extend the burning time.

4. Allow the Matches to Cool

After dipping your fatwood sticks, set them aside to cool completely. The sulfur coating should harden into a thin, brittle layer. Once hardened, your sulfur fatwood matches are ready for use!

5. Storing the Matches

Sulfur fatwood matches are best stored in a waterproof container to keep them safe from moisture. A metal tin, waterproof matchbox, or a plastic bag with a zip lock will work great for this.

How to Use Sulfur Fatwood Matches

To use your sulfur fatwood matches, you’ll need an ignition source. While lighters and matches work, these matches are ideal for use with spark-based methods like flint and steel or a ferrocerium rod.

Ignition Sources: Flint and Steel + Charcloth

Charcloth is an excellent tool for starting fires with minimal resources. Made from carbonized fabric, charcloth catches even the smallest spark and can smolder long enough to ignite kindling like your sulfur-coated fatwood match. Here’s how you can use it:

Flint and Steel Method:

• • Strike your flint and steel together over a piece of charcloth to generate sparks.
  • Once the charcloth catches a spark and begins to smolder, place it in a prepared bird’s nest of dry tinder.
  • Lightly blow on the charcloth to encourage the smoldering to grow.

Using Charcloth to Ignite a Sulfur Match:

• • Once the charcloth is burning, you can hold the sulfur match over the charcloth until the sulfur catches. The sulfur will ignite quickly, and the resinous fatwood will follow, providing a steady, intense flame.

The sulfur catches fire easily and burns quickly, allowing the resinous fatwood to stay alight long enough to ignite your firewood or tinder bundle.

Why Make Sulfur Fatwood Matches?

1. Water Resistance: Both fatwood and sulfur are naturally resistant to moisture, making these matches incredibly useful for survival situations where wet conditions could otherwise prevent you from starting a fire. Even if it’s raining or snowing, sulfur fatwood matches can ignite with ease, ensuring you can get a fire going.

2. Long Burning Time: The combination of resin-rich fatwood and sulfur gives these matches an extended burn time. This is particularly useful when you need more time to ignite larger materials, like kindling or logs.

3. Simple to Make: These matches don’t require specialized tools or materials, making them an accessible project for anyone interested in bushcraft, camping, or preparedness.

4. Historical Significance: Sulfur matches date back to ancient times, long before modern matches were invented. They were used by early settlers, outdoorsmen, and survivalists. You’ll be tapping into centuries of human ingenuity while creating a valuable tool for yourself.

Safety Considerations

It’s important to practice proper safety when working with sulfur and fire-making tools:

• Ventilation: Always melt sulfur outdoors or in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling toxic fumes.
• Storage: Store your sulfur fatwood matches in a waterproof container to keep them dry and ready for use.
• Open Flame Safety: Be cautious when working with fire starters and open flames. Ensure you’re working in a controlled environment with water or an extinguisher nearby, especially when practicing fire-making skills.

Go Play!

Sulfur fatwood matches are a durable, reliable, and ancient tool for starting fires in any environment. By making your own matches, you’re building a valuable skill that could serve you in the wilderness, during camping trips, or even in emergency survival situations. The historical roots of this fire-starting method serve as a reminder of how human ingenuity has allowed us to master nature, and it’s still a relevant and powerful tool in modern survival practices.

With just a little practice, you’ll have a reliable way to start fires even in difficult conditions, allowing you to build warmth, cook food, and stay safe in the wilderness. And remember—fire is not only a survival tool but a symbol of human perseverance and adaptability.

So get out there, gather your materials, and start crafting your sulfur fatwood matches!

Author: Michael A. Evans

.Michael A Evans is a passionate advocate for preserving and reviving ancestral knowledge through modern applications. As the founder of Forgotten Skillz, he is dedicated to teaching the skills of self-sufficiency, bushcraft, and sustainable living, drawing inspiration from historical practices to empower individuals in today’s world. Michael’s work extends beyond survival skills; he also leads Vision Martial Arts in Patchogue, NY, where he guides both adults and children in realizing their potential through martial arts. Additionally, Michael contributes to the educational field as a collaborator on the “Little Laurie Science Stories” book series and the Ninja Née Science Education Program. With a background in therapeutic massage from the NY College of Health Professions, Michael continues to provide holistic care as the lead therapist at Massage LI.