Author Topic: Strike anywhere matches? (Read 5923 times)

mechanic · « **on:** February 26, 2011, 04:30:59 PM »

Anyone know what happened to the strike anywhere matches? I just ran out of some I had waxed and stored in a medicine bottle. Can't find them anywhere....

Ben

Bugflipper · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2011, 05:47:37 PM »

I think a lot of the chain stores quit carrying them for liability reasons. You can still find them at hardware or outdoor stores. Diamond brand is one of the better ones.

bilmac · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2011, 06:09:21 PM »

They are so poorly made anymore that I have just about quit using them. If they are perfectly dry and there is no wind, you might get one out of three to your tinder before it goes out. I have started using propane lighters instead. I have a Ronson metal lighter I think they call it a windproof. It is a lot nicer than the throw aways. It is refillable, it lights without rubbing the hide off your thumb, and the flame is a jet so you can hold it up to your tinder horizontally instead of having to get under it.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2011, 07:28:20 PM »

No doubt bilmac. The ones today are very poor. Seems the strike anywhere means, have sandpaper in the cap of your match holder, or strike on the box. Brings back the image of Clint Eastwood striking one on a guys face. That would be a true strike anywhere.

PowPow · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2011, 01:05:02 AM »

Quote from: Bugflipper on February 26, 2011, 07:28:20 PM

... Brings back the image of Clint Eastwood striking one on a guys face. That would be a true strike anywhere...

I remember a rite of passage as a kid was to strike one off your front tooth.

vacek · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2011, 04:08:25 AM »

I agree with Bilmax. They should be call "Strike nowhere" matches. I really miss the Ohio Blue Tips. They would strike if you even looked at them cross-eyed.

. Those were good matches.

mechanic · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2011, 12:35:57 PM »

Several years ago I made up several medicine bottles with waxed matches in them. Mostly gave them away. If you are trying to start a fire in wet weather, they are the best. With wet hands it's hard to strike a cheap lighter.

I think I've outlived my usefulness as nowadays I think the world's gone crazy. Can't even find matches, but you can buy dope on just about any corner.

Ben

lakota · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2011, 04:04:11 PM »

I live in Ohio and someone told me Ohio banned the sale of strike anywhere matches. The only time I see them is when I go over into PA. to go camping.

mauser98us · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2011, 04:18:43 PM »

Ohio Blue Tip matches banned in Ohio. What's Next?

The Hermit · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2011, 06:47:47 PM »

The last ones that I bought were Fire Chief strike anywhere matches made in Kenner LA. Your lucky if you can get them to strike on the side of the box. The colored tip that actually starts the match to light, is so small that it often is gone on the first pass on the striker. Terrible quality. For a man who cooks and heats with wood, they are a real pain in the a.. butt. Gotta cross over the swamp to Canada to get me some real kitchen matches. Hope I can bring them back.

The Hermit

srussell · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2011, 07:01:04 PM »

you can get them at rural king farm store

powderman · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2011, 03:45:32 PM »

Quote from: srussell on February 28, 2011, 07:01:04 PM

you can get them at rural king farm store

YEP, thats where I bought the last ones I got. Quality not near what it used to be though.
I cut a strip of corrugated cardboard about an in wide or so. Insert matches in every other hole, alternating the heads. I like about a dz or so at a time. Roll up, tie with string, dip in melted paraffin several xs, but not too hot. To use cut off a match leaving the paraffin soaked cardboard on it, it will burn hot and is pretty well waterproof stored well. Either strike the match, or as I like to do, lay it in with the tinder and lite it with a lighter or another match. I've been carrying these to the woods for close to 50 years now, since I was in grade school. POWDERMAN.

rdmallory · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2011, 01:59:14 AM »

I could be wrong but I read somewhere the strike anywhere matches supposed to be treated like hazmat material (IE primers).
If that is the case the shipping charges have made them too expensive to ship.

Doug

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2011, 02:11:33 AM »

Agri-supply has them .

billythekid55 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2011, 02:28:49 AM »

In Wisconsin, Ace Hardware has them. They have 'strike on box' and 'strike anywhere' so you have to watch what you buy. The quality is not what the Ohio Blue Tip matches were. I read you need to sort the matches and pick the best ones (ones with the most white on the top) to rely on. I found this to be the case. I also read you should resupply your camping/survival kit every 2 or so years. I do not know if the matches degrade or what.

My father told me my grandfather used to carry loose matches in his pants pocket. Once in awhile they would rub against each other and ignite. Dad said it was kind of fun watching him pat his pants pocket putting out the fire.

thanks, bill

powderman · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2011, 12:39:52 PM »

Quote

I read you need to sort the matches and pick the best ones (ones with the most white on the top) to rely on.

Exactly right. I always do that when making a batch of waterproof matches. POWDERMAN.

Anduril · « **Reply #16 on:** March 07, 2011, 09:06:39 AM »

Quote from: billythekid55 on March 03, 2011, 02:28:49 AM

........... you need to sort the matches and pick the best ones (ones with the most white on the top) to rely on.

and hold 3 of them together when striking if you need to start a fire now.

Quote

........ I also read you should resupply your camping/survival kit every 2 or so years. I do not know if the matches degrade or what.

they absorb moisture from the air. even in a waterproof match safe it's a good idea to refresh them.
..

slickest · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2012, 11:27:35 AM »

When I'm preparing matches for survival bag set ups I will go through the whole box and find the ones with the biggest striking tip and pick them out. About 2/3rds of the box is pretty useless for any situation in the outdoors in my opinion.

ironglow · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2012, 12:12:03 PM »

Yes, the so-called "strike anywghere' matches i've found inthe last few years are a poor excuse compared to what they previously were. The igniter tip is so small..either it falls off at first try..or if it manages to light, will not stay lit long enough to ignite the rest of the match head..which I refer to as the "fuel" supply.
I guess it's either propane or a "fire piston"..

kynardsj · « **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2012, 12:33:20 PM »

I own a magnesium fire steel but still keep a few Bic lighters in my pack at all times along with some tinder.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2012, 04:21:47 AM »

Quote from: bilmac on February 26, 2011, 06:09:21 PM

They are so poorly made anymore that I have just about quit using them. If they are perfectly dry and there is no wind, you might get one out of three to your tinder before it goes out. I have started using propane lighters instead. I have a Ronson metal lighter I think they call it a windproof. It is a lot nicer than the throw aways. It is refillable, it lights without rubbing the hide off your thumb, and the flame is a jet so you can hold it up to your tinder horizontally instead of having to get under it.

the last batch I bought were useless. tried some of those long fireplace matches which are fatter as well. so far they light with one stroke on the box with a large wind resistant flame.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2012, 02:52:25 PM »

Sorted out and dry they are better than damp charcloth with a flint and steel, but, for almost rock dependable, a canoeload of Bics would have made me a wealthy man..........

mechanic · « **Reply #22 on:** May 24, 2012, 04:18:48 PM »

I bought a carton of small box's at Dick's, but they are so frail, you need to tie three or four together so they don't break.

Magnesium and tinder, Bic lighter. As good as it gets I reckon.

Ben

OutdoorsmanEd27 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 09, 2012, 07:40:39 AM »

yea I guess Diamond matches are the best around now at least that I have found. Truthfully they all are pretty sketchy when it comes to them working. Dipping them in wax and letting them dry works best for me!