Matches

[Burley Guy]

Hey there. Am I the önly one having a problem finding quality “strike anywhere” matches? I’ve purchased a couple boxes of Diamond matches and they suck! I remember being able to strike and ignite on a zipper, cement, bark, etc., but no more. Heck, they hardly ignite on the box striker. Suggestions?

 

[JMcQ]

Are there "premium" matches out there?

 

[zion]

Swan Vestas are real good:
Amazon.com: Swan Vestas 2" Matches - 5 Pack: Health & Personal Care - https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Vestas-Matches-Pack/dp/B00RS5BN0Q

 

[blues4goose]

I used to make my own strike anywheres.
Grab a few big boxes of matches from Walmart. Sand off the red strips, collect the dust. Mix it with a drop off water into a paste. Roll match heads in the paste. Let dry, do second coat. Let dry, and strike em anywhere. Fun arts and crafts idea! They do stink a bit more than usual after you strike them though, so you have to let em burn an extra second or two before you light.

 

[sandollars]

Swan Vestas are real good:
Amazon.com: Swan Vestas 2" Matches - 5 Pack: Health & Personal Care - https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Vestas-Matches-Pack/dp/B00RS5BN0Q

Correct me if I am wrong but I don't believe Swan Vestas are strike anywhere.

 

[Casual]

In Canada, we have Redbird strike anywhere matches. They will strike on lots of things with the right technique. I have an old sharpening stone next to my ashtray I use to strike them on.

 

[zion]

Next guy was asking about premiums which I would say Vesta’s are. You are correct as Vesta’s aren’t strike anywhere as OP is asking about.

 

[weezell]

The old days of light em with the tip of your thumb nail are LONG gone Brorther...

 

[TinCup]

The old days of light em with the tip of your thumb nail are LONG gone Brorther...

Yup, its a shame that even something as innocent as 'fire' has fallen to the health & safety regime

Growing up our strike anywhere matches were these, wish I could still get some:

 

[jpmcwjr]

The strike anywhere matches I had were excessively large for lighting a pipe, and I don't see them anywhere.

While not strike any where, the boxed matches you can get at some restaurants, bars and hotel are just right.

 

[TinCup]

The strike anywhere matches I had were excessively large for lighting a pipe, and I don't see them anywhere.

While not strike any where, the boxed matches you can get at some restaurants, bars and hotel are just right.

I've always seen these referred to as 'kitchen matches' (I guess the extra length is handy for lighting the stove/oven etc) but can see why they'd double as good pipe matches

 

[augiebd]

Like Casual, Redbird are the ones I use and they aren’t the perfect strike anywhere but are definitely serviceable.

 

[olkofri]

In Canada, we have Redbird strike anywhere matches. They will strike on lots of things with the right technique. I have an old sharpening stone next to my ashtray I use to strike them on.

Those are the ones I have but I just can't find anything in the car they will strike on. These 'soft touch' car interiors sux.

 

[anotherbob]

the swans say they're not strike any where, but you can light them on things like a coat zipper or a rock. Swans are damn fine matches.

 

[irishearl]

As I'm not looking to start the front of my pants on fire, don't need strike anywhere. So, diamond work fine for me.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I've always seen these referred to as 'kitchen matches' (I guess the extra length is handy for lighting the stove/oven etc) but can see why they'd double as good pipe matches

I'd use them only if nothing else were available. Such a waste. Yes, growing up they were called kitchen matches, from the days before pilot lights, used on the family stove and oven.

 

[canadianpuffer]

Those are the ones I have but I just can't find anything in the car they will strike on. These 'soft touch' car interiors sux.

Even Redbirds have dropped in quality. If you have the older boxes made in the US they are sturdy, now made in South American (Peru?) and the wood is soooo thin most snap instead of lighting. I may have cleared out the local Canadian tire of the good ones lol

 

[jpmcwjr]

The cure for matches breaking while striking is: finger placed over the tip while striking. Problem: it has to be removed the instant the sulphur ignites. Otherwise, ouch.

 

[ray47]

Who can forget this Bing Crosby match lighting clip.

 

[UncleRasta]

Swan Vestas are real good:
Amazon.com: Swan Vestas 2" Matches - 5 Pack: Health & Personal Care - https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Vestas-Matches-Pack/dp/B00RS5BN0Q

+1 for Swan Vestas matches