Hi Tony,

There is a "striking surface" on the bottom of the cap (opposite the compass), which is just roughed up brass or aluminum depending on the model. It is meant to be used with strike anywhere matches, but doesn't work very well because it isn't very rough and it's small. The "striking surface" will not work with regular matches, REI Stormproof Matches, or NATO Survival Matches. You would need to carry a separate strike pad inside the matchcase, which is what I do.