Match striker pulls??

K

Kube

Joined
Jul 11, 2010
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I have quite a few knives with so called "match striker pulls". What is the use of those? Are they actually used for striking matches? Or purely cosmetic??
 
Well, once upon a time when men were men and "strike anywhere" matches were the thing to have, you could have used a match striker pull to strike a match -- though "strike anywhere" pretty much meant what it said - so such was hardly necessary for that purpose. I really don't know if people ever actually used them for that - I rather doubt it. It would have been rather awkward with most knives I've seen with such pulls - many of them it would have been impossible without actually opening the blade to be able to get at the pull. So, yeah, I think it was just a pretty detail -- no idea when it got the name "matchstriker pull".
 
Not answering the question but adding a bit to the discussion.....the pulls were stamped in, not cut, as in fact most knicks were years ago. For a long time I wondered how they cut them in....hah!...they don't!
 
Kube said:
I have quite a few knives with so called "match striker pulls". What is the use of those? Are they actually used for striking matches? Or purely cosmetic??
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The Schrade Walden 80 series had matchstrikers for awhile, and I can easily strike a Diamond "Strike Anywhere" match with the clip blade closed, and the whole nick is accessible, but I find it pretty convenient to use the rough brown strip on the side of the box.
 
The older ones, ie Sheffield etc, were actual long pulls with very fine teeth. The newer fad of matchstriker "nail nicks" look kind of strange to me and the teeth are a lot larger.
 
This beat up Southington has them on both blades with small teeth.

southjack008.jpg


Since they are stamped into the blades, I don't think I've seen a custom knife with matchstrike pulls, but I did talk to a maker who was figuring out how cut them in. It would be a nice touch.

With old wooden matches i've seen people use their thumbnails, their jeans on the back of their thighs and even their front teeth, but as for the latter, kids will try anything when they're bored and there's a box of matches sitting there.
 
Mike Robuck said:
This beat up Southington has them on both blades with small teeth.



Since they are stamped into the blades, I don't think I've seen a custom knife with matchstrike pulls, but I did talk to a maker who was figuring out how cut them in. It would be a nice touch.
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I like the matchstrike pull on your Southington. I think well proportioned. I agree with tomcrx that most of the matchstrike pulls you see done today look "kinda strange"

I was able to get somewhat decent results but I was using a combination of cut long pull then the "teeth" stamped in. The problem of doing matchstrike pulls on a custom still intrigue me and will continue to work out a solution.
 
Ken: I would bet that a stamp maker like Chalco or Evers would be able to make a stamp quite easily. Bring up to forging heat and give it a whack!!
 
Bob Cargill put matchstriker pulls on a lot of his knives, and I'm sure he stamped them in - but he wasn't using air hardening steels, which complicates things a bit.
 
A die sink EDM would make short work of it. You could put them in before or after heat treat whatever suited. Most towns of any size have a least one shop with this capability. Water Jet would probably work as well.
 
zerogee said:
Bob Cargill put matchstriker pulls on a lot of his knives, and I'm sure he stamped them in - but he wasn't using air hardening steels, which complicates things a bit.
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I thought about mentioning Bob. I've also heard he bought some blades from the likes of Camillus, but I'm sure Greg will correct me if I'm wrong there. Bob deserves a lot of credit for bringing back certain elements vintage knives.
 
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Mike Robuck said:
With old wooden matches i've seen people use their thumbnails, their jeans on the back of their thighs and even their front teeth, but as for the latter, kids will try anything when they're bored and there's a box of matches sitting there.
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I saw the "anywhere end" of an Ohio Blue Tip pop off and lodge under a thumbnail, and then fire. It was not a happy camper. :grumpy:
 
That Southington might be a little worn...but it's got a lot of style Mike:thumbup:

Feel inspired to try out some matches on the couple of Matchstriker knives I have, problem is...only safety matches here:eek:

It can only have been for ornament because vesta style matches, as pointed out, can be struck anywhere. Couldn't imagine Clint messing around with a matchbox when he needed a light:D
 
thawk said:
...I find it pretty convenient to use the rough brown strip on the side of the box.
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IIRC - It used to be common for people to carry their matches in some kind of a small tin so they would stay dry. Kinda makes it hard to use the box if it's at home, or wet.
 
the old boys in the wet bush carried anywhere matches in the marbles water proof matchsafe. we have to remember that many old field hands had very marginal fingernails left after toiling at manual labor all week. even this city boy had soft fingernails after a day on the rivers of oregon. same for the wash. & oregon woods elk hunting, it rained all the time so some abrasve surface was a must to strike up. not many firesteels in use in 70s & 80s.
dennis
 
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