Does anyone know where to get strike anywhere matches?????

Mykl Clark

Mykl Clark

Banned
Joined
Feb 19, 2000
Messages
2,714
Well the title pretty much says it all. I've been lookoing and looking and just can't seem to find these buggers. Any help is appreciated.

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Concentration, patience, and practice always lead to success.
 
They are hard to find aren't they. Eddy Match Company manufactuers them as Fire Bird Matches. Try Army Navy Surplus stores and the like, some camping stores as well. When you find some-buy lots! I bought 50 boxes a few years ago and it was the smartest thing I ever did.

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"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n"
John Milton
There are only two types of people; those who understand this, and those who think they do.
 
I picked up some - now called Redbird - sold by Eddy Match Co. They sure don't strike on a thumbnail like matches used to! They also don't split into two like we used to do with matches to get more strikes per box. I was curious so I've been grabbing matches from other people and haven't yet found even one that will split - lower quality wood I guess.
 
Ohio Blue Tip matches by Diamond Brands www.diamondbrands.com will strike on your thumbnail, zipper and yes, even your teeth. They will also split for more strikes if you are careful. They are ordinary kitchen matches- Diamond also makes fireplace and book matches, toothpicks and "picnic-ware". I can usually find the matches in the paper-plate and plastic fork section of any local grocery store.

They are not waterproof, of course, so I keep them in an empty film canister when out. They are just over 2" long, so they won't fit without chopping the stick down a little. A small inconvenience considering the cost of "lifeboat" matches and the pain of wax-dipping individual matches.

I don't believe Diamond will sell directly to an individual (unless you want A LOT of matches) but the above link should get you a line on retailers in your area.

BTW, they come in boxes of 250 and in bricks of four; so you're looking at 1000 matches for just a few bucks. What a bah'gin!

Hope this helps-

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Be Worthy
 
I can get mine from any grocery store in the area!!

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Big-Target>>>>>>SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM
 
If you get the Ohio Blue Tips, make sure they don't say "strike on box." Moron me, I saw the pack of four and purchased without looking carefully. Not out a lot of money, but I'm disappointed. I personally have been unable to find strike anywhere matches. It shouldn't be this difficult!

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They've got us completely surrounded... The poor bastards!
 
Galyans sporting store carries strike anywhere matches. The boxes of large wooden matches are $1 a box..., or you can get (I think it's) six boxes of the small wooden matches for $1.

I also see them selling at guns shows, for $3 a box of the large matches.

Happily, I filled up two 5 gal plastic buckets with ziplock sealed packages of large and small strike anywhere wooden matches. They *should* be in good shape, and worth about 4 times what I paid for them
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Go to a cigar or pipe store and ask them if they sell Swan matches. They are strike anywhere matches from England.
 
MacHete:

What do you mean 'even your teeth'? I'll strike on my teeth before I'll strike on my zipper! My tongue heals a lot easier than what's under my zipper...
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I can find strike anywhere matches here in the grocery store. Are there states with different rules regarding them? Or is Alaska simply the only place left with enough survival in it's day-to-day living to create a market for them?

Stryver
 
Stryver, I'm not certain but I believe you're right that the sale of these is restricted in certain areas. I know I haven't seen them available in NY State. More evidence of the government trying to protect us from ourselves, I guess.
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Cheers,
Brian
AlleyCat.gif


He who finishes with the most toys wins.
 
bcaffrey- Well, we are talking about an easily concealed, unregistered incendiary device here; Not to mention that, if we don't protect our teenagers from them, it can lead to
eek.gif
TOBACCO USE!

God save me from a government that would save me from myself.

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Be Worthy
 
The problem is with the SHIPPING! They are considered something along the lines of HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. This is because they light so easily. In three years, I've only found one little store with ANY and I had to pay over a $1 a box!
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Plainsman
primitiveguy@hotmail.com
<A HREF="http://pub7.ezboard.com/bplainsmanscabin.html" TARGET=_blank>
Plainsman's Cabin Forums</A>
 
thanks for the help. The only problem is I'll have to buy them in bulk so as soon as I save up some money here I go. How should I store them?

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
I have seen a lot of "Strike anywhere" matches and most of them are complete crap. If you can, get the Ohio Blue matches. They are top of the line.

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Louis Buccellato
http://www.themartialway.com
Knives, Weapons and equipment. Best prices anywhere.
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"only the paranoid will survive"
 
Mykl- Your topic started me thinking about why strike-anywheres were difficult to find, so I e-mailed Diamond and asked them. I also suggested that they look into the persistent pocket of demand in the "outdoors" market. Diamomd kindly replied with the following news.
Their brandline is being streamlined to only one SAW, the Diamond strike anywhere kitchen match. They did not say whether this was the Blue Tip in new packaging or not, so I don't know if they are full-sized, splitable matches. Also, that availability in retail outlets is often dicey because many states, particularly in the south, have laws against warehousing them. Finally, they will sell case lots to individuals. Just call 1-800-777-7942 and ask for cash sales.
Here is a list of retailers in VA that do stock them. I don't know how close these are to you, but if you ever want to make a match-buying roadtrip, go here:
Winchester-
Grocer's Warehouse 205 Brick Kiln Rd.
Mechanicsville-
Richfood Inc. 8258 Richfood Rd.
Bluefield-
Virginia Foods, Falls Mills Rd.
Chester-
Richfood Inc. 1135 West Hundred Rd.

Hope that helps. I'm going out to buy all the remaining Blue Tips that I can find now that I know they are becoming extinct.

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Be Worthy
 
MacHete, thanks for the info.

I agree with TheMartialWay. All the strike anywhere matches that I got from a good friend turned out to be totally safe. Furthermore, I could hardly ignite them on a regular matchbox! That I found a bit frustrating. Am I alone?

HM
 
Thanks for the great input from everybody. I still look in just about every store I go to, but it's no use. I guess I'll either have to make a drive or just order them in bulk. Niether of which I am opposed to. Thanks again. --Mykl

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
I don't know how to give you the link, but on 04/21/00 in the "everything but knives" forum, there is a listing for Strike Anywhere matches.

Good Luck

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