what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Like the title said I have not found any store that carries them any more they have dissapeared.

Is this a local thing or is it some law I missed?

Thanks in advance.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Last time I checked, my local dollar store had them. 2 boxes for a buck.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Try a grocery store.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

My grocery store has had plenty of big boxes.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I have tried every kind of store possible all I can find is strike on box wooden matches made by Diamond. No Ohio blue tip or Diamond strike anywheres.

No hardware stores, dollar stores, grocery stores, or camping and hunting stores have them.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Isn't "strike anywhere" an exaggeration?

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Would you believe "strike ALMOST anywhere"?

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

As an alternative, go back to the dollar store, They have packs of 5 or 6 disposable lighters for a buck. Take a pair of pliers to the childproof mechanism, and rip it out. They will light first-time, every time. :wink:

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I have plenty of lighters and "strike on box" matches but I was trying to expand my fire starting selection. I have about 6 backpacking match holders to fill. That is what started this "quest"

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Spend your buck on a Bic. Anything else is not worth carrying out of the store. For instance if you put those cheap lighters in a warm place they will have no fuel in a short time. One Bic will outlast about five cheap imitations.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Bics are good, so good that I do not consider them to be disposable. :wink:

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Match heads in a steel capped pipe has more energy per pound than TNT.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

The "strike anywhere" matches have been phased out due to the white phosphorus content. The P was being used to make meth.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Ahha!!!! This makes sense beings how I live in the meth capitol of the USA. I understand now why I can't get them along with sudafed and getting carded for propane.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

If you already have a good supply of matches and bics, try looking for a strike anywhere fresnel lens. They're multi-purpose and a great way to keep from burning through the matches you do have. They're bigger, but you won't have to worry about fuel capacity or your quantity running out.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Try amazon and ebay.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

The "Ohio Blue Tip" matches are great.
Alot of local grocery stores in New England carry them.
I used to dip the tips in hot wax to waterproof them.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I had trouble finding strike matches a few years ago when I started prepping. Haven't looked lately, but I imagine it's worse to find them now.

Was thinking of these the other day, that I wanted to teach the kids how to light matches; and I'd like to start with the safety matches. Then progress to regular matches & if their fingers are stong enough, a lighter.

But it sounds like I need to scrounge for safety matches first!

P.S. I can't imagine E-bay or other retailers sending matches through the mail... if that's the only source available.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Ebay and Amazon both have them - and at quantity prices you guys would probably want to take advantage of.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

good tip. i need one of those starter kits for camping or something. maybe a stone strike kit as.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Sudafed, propane, matches, just add some duct tape, and it's the core of a McGyver episode...

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Except that it only works when the sun is out and you don't need a fire very bad.

Then you have the battery and steel wool. That works, but batteries die and steel rusts.

Then you have the diesel lighter. That's good, but it will cost you about fifty bux to get one.

Your primary fire starter is a Bic lighter. Nothing else matches it for reliability and longevity. you might prefer another type for daily use, but when you have an emergency you need a Bic. Anything else is strictly a backup. The best backup is good old flint and steel, although we use ferrocerium now instead of flint. I hope you know you can snap the top off a Bic and use that flint to start a fire.

For tinder, work petroleum jelly into a 100% pure cotton ball and scrape out as much as you can. You can stack a dozen or so of these in a very small container such as a 35 mm film can or those tiny cans that Altoids come in. Fluff it up before you light it. Forget the wax preparations, except magic birthday candles. They will stay lighted in wind. A magnesium bar is good but not necessary. If you get one, cut it into small pieces. A fourth of a bar is enough for about a hundred fires.

SA matches are ok but bulky. Dip the heads in lacquer to waterproof them. Nail polish is ok but be sure it's lacquer, not enamel. You won't like what happens when you use enamel, and wax is almost as bad. Use lacquer. A nice lacquer can be made by dissolving a pingpong ball in two ounces of acetone. Be sure it's a real cellulose ball, not a plastic simulation.

Cut a bicycle inner tube into rings to hold your pack together. The rubber will burn when wet, even floating in water.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I saw em in Big 5 today - $1.50 a box

dang - getting old is a b*t*h... it was the local army surplus store-not big 5. No wonder I find myself wandering around town from store to store.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

A bic was the only thing I used to open beer as a teenager.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I think the key is to rely on multiple sources of fire. As Saul pointed out, nothing is infallable. But having multiple means to ignition is best. I have used a fresnel to start a fire about 30 minutes before sundown in the winter. Mine is about 21" across by 16" and cost $9 at our local dollarama... they sold it as a computer screen magnifier. On any day with even limited sun, I'd pick it hands down as the easiest way to light fire. Ignition on a summer day is instant, while on a winter day it's 2-3 seconds.

My kit also contains six Bics wrapped in plastic and then encased in wax, a pack of 250 waterproof matches, a titanium firestick, and a large flint. The total weight is between 8 and 9 ounces. All of these options are for backup, as the Fresnel is the only one that I'm not using up when I use it... and it is most certainly my most powerful.

I should add... anyone considering a fresnel needs to select a spot fresnel. A linear will not perform nearly as well.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I use a coconut husk and a piece of bamboo.


seriously though i use the windproof lighters you get at marine stores. they work for everything, even shrinking shrink tubing, in fact they work better then the super dooper shrink tubing melter i bought. I haven't seen the strike anywhere's for a while now that you mention it, they are probably dangerous or something now.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

You just need a Blastmatch!

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Strike anywhere matches are available at our local trustworthy hardware store and fred meyers...

When i head out on the trail i usually take an assortment of regular book matches, stormproof matches http://www.rei.com/product/617046 and a bic lighter...paper firestarter and esbit tablets (12 minute burn) http://www.rei.com/product/653344 for starting damp firewood...

i've been using these solid fuel tablets for many years and i love em...no other product on the market comes close...

http://goldismoney.info/forums/showp...07&postcount=9

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Note to self... If I ever need an arsonist DO NOT hire mightymanx.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I just bought a couple boxes a few weeks ago.
And I thought I lived (near) the Meth capitol of the world.

mightymanx; Central Ca. ?

we have lots of bics
but
Gotta get me one of those fire starter flint thingies anyway

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

I'm in Texas, HEB is one of the big grocery stores here. They carry large boxes of strike anywhere matches. I use them all the time. Here they were near the BBQ briquettes and fluids, etc...

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Try these:



http://www.thegreathardwarestore.com...676&click=2744


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=263602_263622


http://www.markdownshop.com/pd-22-ho...se-pack-12.cfm




http://bigboymusicinc.com/STRIKE-ANY...B000AV4N34.htm

Enjoy your shopping experience.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

How do you determine the type?

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Thats a good one. Ive seen it before. Works so well it seems.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

sounds more like MethGyver.

just out of curiosity - were there any McGyver episodes where he takes on a Meth Clan ?

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Ace hardware is about the only place that carries them here.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Thanks for the tip, think I'll make a point of stocking up on them.

BTW, Bic lighters do NOT work if they're cold!

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

No, but just hold it in your hand for 30 seconds is all they need to warm up.

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Dunno, never watched the show, I've only seen parodies of it. :111:

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Only a terrorist knows stuff like that.:s1:

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Here's a neat article about what ingredients are used in some strike anywhere matches:

http://www.wired.com/science/discove...st_whatsinside

Re: what happened to strike anywhere matches?
 

Kids were slicing open tennis balls and filling them with match heads and supergluing them shut. When the ball is bounced or kicked, the match heads rub and the ball explodes.

It's basically a free source of high grade explosives. That may explain why they are being phased out.