Based in the United Kingdom, Enola Gaye boasts nearly 30 years of expertise in selling a vibrant range of smoke and paint grenades for activities such as paintball and airsoft, alongside their applications for celebrations and special effects. The company has branched out into survival gear, introducing products like the Ultimate Match, a robust, weather-resistant firestarter that unleashes a mini inferno to ignite flammable materials for a comforting fire. Just pull the pin, and you’re ready to get things burning.
Branded as the “Ultimate Match,” this product closely mirrors the design and functionality of the company’s smoke grenades, functioning as a handheld cylinder that emits flames instead of colored smoke. The compact device measures 4 inches (10 cm) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, making it easy to stow in a jacket pocket or backpack.
EG
This pyrotechnic device features an igniter and a self-oxygenating fuel system, far surpassing conventional matches in its ability to produce a substantial flame. Like the company’s smoke grenades, it ignites with a pull-ring, initially sparking like a flare before erupting into a fierce blaze that can reach temperatures of up to 1,200 °F, with its most intense flame present during the first 20 seconds, followed by a steady burn lasting an additional 100 seconds. It acts as a flare optimized for fire-starting rather than signaling purposes.
The integrated fuel system guarantees a robust, continuous flame that outperforms the flickering flame of standard matches. It’s engineered to resist adverse conditions like high winds and heavy rain, facilitating fire ignition even in challenging situations. The Ultimate Match has even demonstrated the ability to ignite underwater and produce the same intense flame when brought back to the surface.
In short, if you can’t light a fire with this device, you may find it challenging to start one at all.
EG Survival
While it’s still necessary to create a base of tinder, kindling, and fuel, witnessing the Ultimate Match in action might lead you to experiment lighting kindling directly without any tinder. Although this is an intriguing endeavor for a backyard fire pit, it’s advisable not to rely on this method in a survival scenario or if the Ultimate Match is your only means of starting a fire quickly.
The Ultimate Match is also water-resistant, and the company is developing a fully waterproof casing to ensure it remains dry during your hiking and adventure experiences, always ready for immediate use.
EG Survival
Introduced in 2024, the Ultimate Match made its debut at the 2025 Outdoor Retailer show, available in three-packs priced at US$20, currently discounted to $15. This seems like an attractive deal for hassle-free fire-starting gear, and purchasing a three-pack allows you to test one while keeping two ready for your wilderness adventures.
Additionally, EG Survival has adapted some of its colored smoke grenades into signaling tools for survival scenarios.
Watch the video below for a brief overview of the Ultimate Match, including footage of the impressive underwater ignition:
EG ULTIMATE MATCH – BEST FIRE STARTER IN THE WORLD
