Strike anywhere matches?

[johngalt]

Good quality 'strike anywhere' wood matches seem to be as rare as hen's teeth. I have been able to find only Diamond green light (with a green head).

They barely work on the box, let alone trying to 'strike anywhere'.

Well, I've also seen the survival matches for $$$, but that isn't really what I need.

 

[VonFatman]

i know....i loved those matches. it's a gov/insurance thing like most sensible items outlawed.

 

[billwill]

They went away just like 'read the owners manual' appeared on gun barrels

 

[spricks]

Try your local Amish store if you are lucky enough to have one. Plenty on the shelf here.... good luck..... love those matches too.

 

[dirty & hairy]

Apparently 'strike anywhere' wood matches are used when making methamphetamine. My local hardware store keeps them hidden, you have to ask for them.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The cool thing about those matches was all the different ways movie soldiers, cowboys and gumshoes would light them... teeth, thumbnails, jeans, soles, razor stubble, etc, etc...

 

[Peak53]

Impossible to find around here. The green tips are ridiculously ineffective, and I miss the good stuff because I have two wood stoves and would just as soon/rather strike a match anywhere I please. Brings to mind a story from my youth. I have lot's of stories.

I think it was 7th grade wood shop. (Do they have wood shop anymore?) We had done our thing for the day, swept up, put the tools away, and taken our seats. Mr. Barnes was telling us about tomorrow or something special. I was fiddling in my pocket which happened to hold a good sized pocket knife and a handful of loose matches. You know - "Be Prepared." I was. Boy Scout you know. (Don't try this now) Except when I flicked my thumbnail across the tip of a match and it went off! I immediately realized that I better get it out of my pocket before my pants caught on fire. I quickly blew it out, but the unmistakable odor of phosphorous caught the attention of Mr. Barnes.

Him: "Who did that?"
Me: Raises hand. (Star pupil and never a discipline problem)
Him: Face-palm. "Don't do that again."
Me: Yessir!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

About 4 years ago was the last time I found them. It was after a very long period of absence, They showed up at my local Ace hardware store, and one smoke/cigar shop (not a nice one!) They were in 1000 count boxes, I bought a 3 pack, If they stay dry, that will be more than a lifetime supply!
For storage I tripple Zip-lock bag them!

Ivan

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

I believe some people were charged with precursor chemicals by having
several boxes of the strike anywhere matches. I haven't been able to
find them around here for several years. &+#@ meth heads.

 

[M1Garandy]

You can find Ohio Blue Tips on eBay. Real surprised the sellers are willing to ship for obvious reasons.....

 

[dasnake]

Well well well.....

The cool thing about those matches was all the different ways movie soldiers, cowboys and gumshoes would light them... teeth, thumbnails, jeans, soles, razor stubble, etc, etc...

Remember lee van cleef on the hunchback?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Remember lee van cleef on the hunchback?

Mortimer...

 

[dasnake]

Dats.............

Mortimer...

Colonel Mortimer.
If anyone is interested canadian tire sells "world famous" red bird strike anywhere matches.

 

[S&W Fan]

When I was a kid we would clean the cork out of soda bottle caps, break off a bunch of strike anywhere match heads, stuff them inside the bottle caps and tape it all together with electrical tape. Throw against any hard surface and instant mini smoke "grenades" LOL. Showing my age there!

 

[riverrat38]

It's match control. Too many matches on the street contributing to high rates of arson!

73,
Rick

 

[Rudi]

They certainly have been hard to find. Glad I had some stocked up.

 

[gjgalligan]

Last batch I bought seemed to break easily. Broke more then lighted.

 

[Maddog 521]

They're sold at the gun shows around here. The seller is asking $5.00 per box. Some hardware stores have them available too.

 

[WR Moore]

I bought 3 boxes of Diamond green tip matches you're supposed to strike on the box. I have to use a lighter to fire them up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PALADIN85020]

Back in the day when every kitchen stove was gas fired with no such thing as a burner igniter, there was a box of Diamond matches in a dispenser hanging on the wall beside the stove. I have not seen them in years.

During WWII, the match heads were often used inside poked-out primer caps to substitute for actual primers when needed for reloading cartridges clandestinely. This was especially true for improvising in such places as the Philippines where the Japanese controlled the supply of real primers.

John