STRIKE ANYWHERE MATCHES

[gunsmoke]

http://store.everestgear.com/eqdia101.html

[Da Nerd]

I read that as 10 boxes of 32 matches each box..= 320 matches.
I still find the big boxes from time to time at the hardware store.
The above price isn't too bad if you cant get them over the counter.

[Deltaten]

No flames or anything; but what's with the "match" thing anyway??

Since before the millennia, rumor has beeen that strike anywhere's or regular kitchen matches were gonna be outlawed and unavailable. Ya see fellas at GS's selling individually wrapped boxes fer acouple of $$.

Why?

I still buy 'em at the grocery store!
Can't some fellas find them in thier local, or is it a State thing? "Banned from further mfgr and import" dealie?

Curious,
Paul

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by Deltaten
No flames or anything; but what's with the "match" thing anyway??

Since before the millennia, rumor has beeen that strike anywhere's or regular kitchen matches were gonna be outlawed and unavailable. Ya see fellas at GS's selling individually wrapped boxes fer acouple of $$.

Why?

I still buy 'em at the grocery store!
Can't some fellas find them in thier local, or is it a State thing? "Banned from further mfgr and import" dealie?

Curious,
Paul

I've never seen them at gunshows and NO ONE, not grocery store, hardware stores or any one else in my vicinity stocks them.

I have been told by a couple of small town grocers and harware store owners that it is a products liability issue and that Diamond brand has only started producing recently since an acquisition by a larger public company.

When you find a source for MERCURICHROME please let me know, I've gone to Mexico to try to find it!

[Da Nerd]

Meth heads use those matches for making meth.
Have you noticed how the white part has gotten smaller and smaller over the years?
Many people confuse the "strike on box" as being the same as "strike anywhere" they are not the same.

[Temp]

Buy a dozen Bic lighters and put them in a ziplock sandwich bag.

Forget about matches.

[Deltaten]

Mercurachrome, huh? I'll keep my peepers open for ya. I *know* I've seen it locally, but don't recal just now. Ya really want some? I'll see if I can find it for ya.

Meth heads using matches to process?? That's a new one to me..but then again, I don't know shit from druggies!

Best,
Paul

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by Deltaten
Mercurachrome, huh? I'll keep my peepers open for ya. I *know* I've seen it locally, but don't recal just now. Ya really want some? I'll see if I can find it for ya.

There is some crap out there labeled "CLEAR MERCURICHROME" ITS NOT, read the ingridients, no mercury at all. Which is the only active ingredient in REAL mercurichrome.

[Deltaten]

Can't say that i've ever seen "clear" mercurichrome. I'll know better now, tho.

Paul

[fire for effect]

Originally posted by gunsmoke




When you find a source for MERCURICHROME please let me know, I've gone to Mexico to try to find it!

Try the local Vetinary.

[rob1]

Originally posted by Deltaten
Meth heads using matches to process?? That's a new one to me..but then again, I don't know shit from druggies!

Best,
Paul
Yeah, some pretty wicked crap used to make that stuff, stuff most folks would never think of putting in their bodies. Here are just a few of the common ingredients, or at least what they start out as:
Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine(cold or allergy tablets);
Lithium batteries;
Starter Fluid;
Rock or table salt;
Drain cleaner;
Camping fuel;
Sulfuric Acid;
Acetone;
Heet" (gas additives);
Paint thinner;
Iodine;
Brake Cleaner;
Toluene;
Muriatic Acid;
Anhydrous Ammonia

[Da Nerd]

and the list goes on

[Rick]

I knew strike anywhere matches were pulled off most shelves. I didn't know they were used for meth labs. The strike on the box seem to work for me.

[Da Nerd]

Strike on box is OK till it gets WET or the sand paper gets torn or.....
it is also hard to put the box in a BOB or match holder etc.

[JoeLad]

I can't find them in Philadelphia, haven't seen them in years. Could be a local ordnance to prevent kids from starting fires. I'll have to look at the fire code to see if they're banned.

I do recall seeing them for sale at the Vally Forge gunshow, with a sign similar to "Buy them now before they're banned!", or something like that. That was a few years ago.

JoeLad:D

[cabofdoom]

Here are a few more links for those who can't find them in their local AO

http://www.emergencyresources.com/er_p11.html

http://www.riverjunction.com/catalog/saloon/matches.html

HIH


COD

[Bwana John]

I have heard that strike anywhere matches have burned up vehicles by igniting while traveling down rough roads. I try to pack mine so they cannot bounce around too much.

[W.E.G.]

When I was a kid, we only got 3 TV channnels. So we amused ourselves by throwing strike-anywhere matches against various surfaces to see if we could get them to ignite.

Then we discovered cigarettes and smoke bombs.

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by W.E.G.
When I was a kid, we only got 3 TV channnels. So we amused ourselves by throwing strike-anywhere matches against various surfaces to see if we could get them to ignite.

Then we discovered cigarettes and smoke bombs.

When I was a kid, before I was allowed to deal with real firearms without supervision, I made my own incindiaries by stoking my Benjamin .22 pellet rifle with "KITCHRN MATCHES" and firing them at hard targets. They lost velocity fast so if the target surface was more than 12 feet or so away, they wouldn't light.

But it was a fun and non-destructive diversion.

[W.E.G.]

Oh yeah, we did that too.

But Mom busted us for shooting them against the cinderblock wall in the basement.

I guess all those scorch marks on the wall looked suspicious.

Frankly, we lost interest in that pretty quick anyway, because ignition was nearly 100%. It was more fun to suddenly throw one next to the foot of a comrade, with the hope that it would bouce up his pants-leg and give him a little scorcher.

[Da Nerd]

We used to use them in BB guns, at night, ring a door bell, and hide and when they opened the door, shoot them against the screen door..
It is a wonder that I lived to grow up..:devil:

[NewtoFals]

I have never had a problem finding strike anywhere's in south texas.

[broncobisley1]

Strike on box is OK till it gets WET or the sand paper gets torn or.....


I use the strike on the box at home and they never get wet. :biggrin:

Although when out in the woods in the middle of nowhere, I usually carry a small lighter and a small box of waterproof matches (can be purchased from REI). They work a lot better than the strike anywhere matches. I have a small waterproof match cylinder that I keep waterproof matches in my truck also. I've never found a need for the strike anywhere matches except for enjoyment as a kid.

[tigerfans2]

Originally posted by Da Nerd
Meth heads use those matches for making meth.
Have you noticed how the white part has gotten smaller and smaller over the years?
Many people confuse the "strike on box" as being the same as "strike anywhere" they are not the same.

Yeah, the white part is smaller and they're harder to light :(

I think I've still got some blue tip strike anywheres somewhere, they're hard to find around here

[Blaster]

I bought four boxes of the kitchen matches (strike anywhere) put them in a U.S. GI ammo box with a perfect rubber gasket. Now two years later, they are not lighting worth a shi-. I sure thought that they'd have a much longer storage life.
What the hell did I do wrong? While in the U.S. Army and stationed in Fairbanks, we had little survival kits which included the little wooden match storage containers about as big as a D cell battery, with a compass on the lid. The matches furnished had been dipped in schlack (spelling ?) but they lit EVERY time.

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by Blaster
I bought four boxes of the kitchen matches (strike anywhere) put them in a U.S. GI ammo box with a perfect rubber gasket. Now two years later, they are not lighting worth a shi-. I sure thought that they'd have a much longer storage life.
What the hell did I do wrong? While in the U.S. Army and stationed in Fairbanks, we had little survival kits which included the little wooden match storage containers about as big as a D cell battery, with a compass on the lid. The matches furnished had been dipped in schlack (spelling ?) but they lit EVERY time.

Humidity is the likely killer. If you ever try again, wait till the dead of winter when the humidity is low, throw in some moisture absorber packs or store open ammo can in freezer with the matches inside and throw in moisture absoring packs after a couple of days, and close it up.

EDITED TO ADD: Of course if you have a "food-saver" type vacum packer you could always vacum pack with a couple moisture absorbers. If you vacum pack the individual boxes that way and then store them in the ammo can, would work real well.

[Temp]

You guys still talking about matches, for Pete's sake?

You can run a Bic lighter through the washing machine and it'll come out as good as new.

Forget matches. For fire, get some disposable lighters. It's 2005.

[olsarg]

Those matches weren't banned for dopers they were banned for Milita men. Great for home made fire works ect. old instructions were based on so many match tips for certain items. Just remeber Fed god will put you in jail for telling someone how to do what they call bad things. .

[TFA303]

No store I've found in VA, MD or NC stocks the strike anywhere's. I have heard that it's due to liability concerns from unintentional ignition.

I did find that you can buy Ohio Blue Tip strike anywhere's directly from the manufacturer, you just have to buy a 1-case minimum. 36 boxes X 250 matches per box. I'm set for life and then some.

P.S. Your lovely wife's old unfashionable nail polish works great to waterproof them. It also makes them burn even hotter when they light. Just dip them in the polish and get a good glob on the head, then poke the stick in a styrofoam brick or a stale loaf of bread to dry.


Tom

P.S. you can make a matchhead pipe bomb out of paper matches. They don't have to be S-A's.

[fire for effect]

Originally posted by Temp
You guys still talking about matches, for Pete's sake?

You can run a Bic lighter through the washing machine and it'll come out as good as new.

Forget matches. For fire, get some disposable lighters. It's 2005.

That works for awhile, But the Butane evaporates out of the lighters.

[Survey Punk]

Mikes Mini Mart, Chocowinity, NC. Package of 3 boxes for $2.59. Says he'll have them forever from his supplier.
Harry Crusenberry, Willston Elementary School, Falls Church, VA, ca 1968. We used to bug him about the missing fingers on his left hand after he crammed just one too many kitchen match heads into an empty CO2 cylinder.

JB

[Torvold]

Many years ago my friends and I were using the strike anywhere matches, they are lots of fun and can keep a kid buisy for hours. My friend Mark, had a handfull in his back pocket, when he got up to leave he must have dragged his butt against the concrete we were sitting on. We heard a hissing noise and then flames burst thru, Mark started dancing and cussing. He fell on his back and pulled his pants down, burnt right thru his pants and scorched his fruit of the looms.
It's been 33 years and it still makes me chuckle every time.

[JoeLad]

My Mom was visiting a friend around the corner when I was a kid. Of course, she had to drag me along. I was bored to trears, so she let me go outside. In the driveway I found a strike anywhere match. So I did. It was a sunny day, I couldn't see the flame, I thought it was out. So I did what my mother always told to do with trash, I put it in her friend's plastic trashcan, and went back inside.
When we came out there was just a puddle of melted plastic and burned up trash left on the driveway. My Mom and her friend blamed "those rotten kids". I never did tell them I had done it.:devil:

JoeLad:D

[Doubleought]

Originally posted by Deltaten

Meth heads using matches to process?? That's a new one to me..but then again, I don't know shit from druggies!

Best,
Paul

IIRC, the meth heads use the red phosphorus from the matches in their recipes. Better living through chemistry, don't ya know? :eek:

I think the strike anywhere matches are harder to find because of the PC, "protect the children from themselves" safety issue.

[GarthDial]

Saw a bunch of boxes of Diamond Strike Anywheres on the shelf at the C.A.L. Ranch store in Spanish Fork, UT last weekend.:wink:

[Rick]

Sure wish i could my hands on some strike anywhere matches here in ohio. They're long gone from any of the shelves around here.

[tigerfans2]

Originally posted by Rick
Sure wish i could my hands on some strike anywhere matches here in ohio. They're long gone from any of the shelves around here.


www.diamondbrands.com

[shortydog]

they can be usefull. TM 31-210. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY.:)

[jwaters]

My lab TA in college freaked when I was lighting the match on my zipper of my Levi's (back when they were really Levi's). Then I wore some button fly's one day and discovered they lit there too.

Guess she wasn't used to southern boys who knew how matches really worked.

My lab TA was pretty hot too, most were not, guess I got lucky.

I do miss strike anywhere matches, I see them at gunshows here in FL but haven't looked to buy any in a long time. I use a zippo now and have for sometime (but I don't smoke, I just like zippo's)

JW

[sslocal]

I should maybe keep my mouth shut so the nut jobs in our state capital don't ban them but, we can buy them in the local Vons/Safeway. I just picked up a 3 pak a couple of weeks ago. (mind you this is the PRK)

[Doubleought]

You have to hunt a little, but they're still available here in central WI.

When my boys were little they used to get a kick out of watching me strike them on my front teeth or friction light them on my thigh when wearing blue jeans.

Anyone remember William Holden lighting his match on the guys face in the movie, Stalag 17? :shades:

[Treborer]

For a nostalic approach check this out, scroll down some:http://www.possibleshop.com/fire-striker.htm
:D :beer:

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by sslocal
I should maybe keep my mouth shut so the nut jobs in our state capital don't ban them but, we can buy them in the local Vons/Safeway. I just picked up a 3 pak a couple of weeks ago. (mind you this is the PRK)


Q How do you know when your life, livlihood, health, wealth, well-being and everything and everyone that you know and care about are in iminent danger?

















A That's easy! Whenever Congress or your State legislature is in session!

[Brian in MN]

Store them in the self-defrosting refrigerator. My preban matches are all in the freezer. They seem to be holding up just fine.



Originally posted by Blaster
I bought four boxes of the kitchen matches (strike anywhere) put them in a U.S. GI ammo box with a perfect rubber gasket. Now two years later, they are not lighting worth a shi-. I sure thought that they'd have a much longer storage life.
What the hell did I do wrong? While in the U.S. Army and stationed in Fairbanks, we had little survival kits which included the little wooden match storage containers about as big as a D cell battery, with a compass on the lid. The matches furnished had been dipped in schlack (spelling ?) but they lit EVERY time.

[Seventh Fleet]

Check your local ACE Hardware, our local ACE has strike anywhere matches in stock at all times....


7th

[TXscout]

You guys keep talking like this and there will surely be an assault match ban implemented.......jeez
:eek:

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by Seventh Fleet
Check your local ACE Hardware, our local ACE has strike anywhere matches in stock at all times....7th
Originally posted by TXscout
You guys keep talking like this and there will surely be an assault match ban implemented.......jeez
:eek:

Thank you all for your comments!

In my hometown, there was a "Diamond" match factory for many many years, since before WWII. All through my childhood, we had one of those ornate cast iron matchbox holder/dispenser, and I think I was an adolescent the first time I ever even saw a book safety match.

There wer two sizes of strike-anywhere matches, and for the most of my early years that is just what the word "match" meant!

A little over twenty-years ago the match factory shut down for good.

In my parts the supply of S-As disappeared.

I know of no law anywhere that has been enacted which would ban the. All I know is that I cannot find them.

I've talked with the older owners of many many mom-'n pop hardware stores across the South, and have been told that to their knowledge the things just weren't made anymore because of products liabilty issues.

That' really all I know about there scarcity.

They are a great useful little tool. I happen to like them and now have several cases, with boxes individually vaccum-packed at both my primary (home) and my long-term SHTF retreat in the country.

I just had trouble finding them, and that is why I started this thread, to gather info., period. I ain't sellin NOTHIN! No conspiracies, urban legends, etc.

Ths board is a fount of knowledge, and I'm really glad that they are still available, And that all my FAL brother's and sisters have helped me find them.

Thank you all again!

[MK ULTRA]

I went to SAM's smoking section and bought a carton of BIC lighters. Probably about 60 in there. Plus It came with a dozen free.

Came out to about $.75/each. These can get wet and still work and I put 3-4 in several different places and bags and still have many to spare.

Would be a good barter item too. Just keep several for your self.

[Merl]

as far as lighters, could one just put a drop of fingernail paint on the valve to stop from butane leakage?

[OrangeSkies]

Hi everyone - newbie to FAL Files here...

These matches are still readily available over the counter here in Southern Oregon. I keep several boxfulls on hand all the time - great for starting the old BBQ.

When I'm heading out into "Oregon's Outback", I always have a baggie full. Before packing them I dip the head of each one into heated candle wax to waterproof it, as well as to prevent them from striking against themselves accidentally.

I'll also take an old newspaper and tear it into 2" strips, roll them up, and dip them into candle wax, too. A bag full makes for easy fire starting - even in the wettest weather.

[fusalautoleger]

i used to drop them out of a 4th story window on to side below it was fun to see peaples reaction to such tom foolery.. sometimes wed glue fins to them to get them to the other side of the streat with the aide of airgun.. id just go with a zippo a good suply of flints and good suply of fluid..batteries some wire and steel wool work great.. any match when rubbed on hard painted wall will light..

[Super B]

Publix has them, strike anywhere and strike on box.

[Da Nerd]

A lot of people confuse the "strike on box" with the 'strike anywhere' matches as the boxes look the same.

[wildwilly]

Them butane lighter don,t always work above 9,000 ft in late Oct or Nov and its cold. So I carry both just in case i go swimming again.
Do not walk carefree across beaver ponds even if it is Dec and cold.

[zallen]

Originally posted by gunsmoke


I've never seen them at gunshows and NO ONE, not grocery store, hardware stores or any one else in my vicinity stocks them.

I have been told by a couple of small town grocers and harware store owners that it is a products liability issue and that Diamond brand has only started producing recently since an acquisition by a larger public company.

When you find a source for MERCURICHROME please let me know, I've gone to Mexico to try to find it!

MERCURICHROME, that seems to bring back memories of younger days. What's it used for?

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by zallen


MERCURICHROME, that seems to bring back memories of younger days. What's it used for?

It's loaded with MERCURY and is a VERY powerful topical antiseptic. The body absorbs a small amount of the mercury and prevents infection from spreading.

Supposedly, it was taken off the market to save rug rats that might drink it. (I was once a rug rat and never drank it, must be real stupid rug rats being birthed these days....) The real effect is that more infections take hold and more doctors get to prescribe more antibiotics and more drug companies and pharmacies get to sell them and, well, I think you get the idea.............

[zallen]

Funny I never drank it either.:D

I never drank the iodine either, can you still get it?

I'll keep a lookout for you too:smile: I'm surprised they haven't pulled aspirin yet.:uhoh:

[gunsmoke]

Originally posted by zallen
Funny I never drank it either.:D

I never drank the iodine either, can you still get it?

I'll keep a lookout for you too:smile: I'm surprised they haven't pulled aspirin yet.:uhoh:

Last time I looked the stores are still well stocked with Iodine which I have a good inventory of.

But, you never ever know what we will need to be protected from next.................................

[zallen]

I'm still trying to find a supplier for "Liberalbegone" and "Damnitol".:D

[kp90dc]

Recently discovered (I can't be the last one, can I?) a good source of melted candle wax without flame: cut up a candle & toss it in a small Mason jar or jelly jar. Place jar on electric mug heater (usually used to keep yer java or cocoa warm) & let 'er burn . . . well, warm.

If yer landlord, etc. says "No open flames" this is a good alternative -- when you just *have* to have a perfumy candle smell around. :wink:

Originally posted by OrangeSkies
When I'm heading out into "Oregon's Outback", I always have a baggie full. Before packing them I dip the head of each one into heated candle wax to waterproof it, as well as to prevent them from striking against themselves accidentally.

I'll also take an old newspaper and tear it into 2" strips, roll them up, and dip them into candle wax, too. A bag full makes for easy fire starting - even in the wettest weather.