Sorry, I’ve really got nothing to write about today. In fact I just may go upstairs and take a little nappy right after I finish this.
I did go to town this morning, for drinking water and a few groceries. At the dollar store I picked up a box of kitchen matches…
…and while putting them away just now I remembered how embarrassed I was the first time I bought this particular sort of match. And then later when I found out how clueless I’d been, how embarrassed I was that I had ever been embarrassed about saving a buck.
See, I always made it a mark of pride that I might scrimp on everyday disposables, but I never scrimped on “preps.” Since my life here is pretty much made possible by wooden kitchen matches, I always bought the high-price model. Yup: Strike-Anywhere, $5.50 for a box of 250.
Out of curiosity: Have you ever used an entire box of strike-anywhere matches? Okay: Two questions: How often did you strike them anywhere other than the box? And if the answer to the above is ‘almost never,’ how many matches did you have left when the box finished falling apart?
Because if you’re like me and actually use kitchen matches in the kitchen, you’re not likely to strike the matches on your nice wooden cabinets. No, you strike them on the box like God intended. Right? Well, here’s a trade secret: The surface of those little buttons of whatever-it-is that make strike-anywhere matches work anywhere is harder to ignite than the surface of regular kitchen matches. Which means you have to press harder, which tears hell out of the boxes. Strike-on-box matches are not only a fifth the price, they’re easier to light which means the boxes actually last until you’re out of matches.
The cheaper strike-on-box matches at a buck and a quarter for 300 are not only far less expensive, they’re actually a better product if their purpose permits using the striker on the box. So if you’re stocking up on matches some quiet weekend afternoon, you’ll do yourself a favor if you go ahead and buy the cheap kind.
Just so you know.
and if you are concerned you won’t have the box when you need it, put a small bit of fine sandpaper in your wallet or in the case you use to stash a few matches in a go bag (unless, of course, you already have 3 methods for fire starting in your go bag and a few additional matches would seem silly.
Yes, but strike-anywhere matches make a social statement that no other type of match can (well) match. I remember when it was cool to light the strike-anywhere matches by flicking them with your thumb nail “just so”. I probably learned that trick by watching too many cowboy movies.
Back in my lost youth I also remember building some sort of slingshot that fired matches head first so they would (occasionally) hit the target and then ignite. It was the sort of theoretically dangerous fun that drives adults crazy.
Strike’em anywhere matches or nuttin!. Those new flanged ones are so people don’t use the tip of the match like a primer to set off a boob(sp).
I still strike them up on the thigh of my line dried Levi’s. No PC matches here.
Why yes, I’ve actually used whole boxes of strike anywhere matches. Our woodstove has a slightly rough lip that’s perfect for fire starting. It’s about one box per winter. I do use the strike on box matches in the kitchen to light the stove burners where the piezo igniter doesn’t work. Around here it’s hard to find the strike anywhere matches anymore. Only one hardware store still carries them.
Yeah, it’s next to impossible to find the strike anywhere matches up here. I jerry-rigged my old hiking bag (some soviet state flare kit) with the striker from a box of match-tip fire starters on the inside of the lid so I could use regular matches.
As juvenile delinquents in Junior High, we used to light our Luckys and Camels with strike-anywheres . . . on our zippers.
Yes . . . that particular zipper. Drove the a-dults nutz. We were so wicked . . .
😉
Back in my lost youth I also remember building some sort of slingshot that fired matches head first so they would (occasionally) hit the target and then ignite.
A .22 bullet into a box full of strike-anywhere matches is a dandy low-tech way to start a big fire from a distance. I could tell you how I know that, but…
Keep a couple of butane BBQ lighters in the Lair. They’re cheap, light every time and stay lit. Probably no more expensive than “strike anywhere” matches.
Just a note on those disposable BBQ lighters. Some of them use a piezoelectric sparker to ignite the butane – very nifty little gadget for the war bag or the workshop. Another handy firestarter for the warbag is a folding 3 lens jeweler’s loupe.
I can recall when the kids at my school figured out a neat trick involving 2 bolts, a nut, and strike anywhere match heads. I think every boy raided his dad’s hardware to find the biggest matching bolts and nut. Mine was about 3/4″ diameter. That lasted a couple weeks until they were strictly banned – injuries were the blame. Come to think of it – no wonder!
I’ve had the same dang trouble as you, Joel, with the strike-anywhere kind of matches. Ripped the box to bits ‘cuz I had to flick ’em hard, and several times per match.
And the brand you’re showing in your pic — the “green/eco” variety — well, I hope this was just a fluke, but I found that the wooden sticks splintered before I could get those lit either, and when I did get one lit, it didn’t stay lit long enough to light the wick in my Dietz lantern. Lot of matches wasted.
Wonder if anyone else has found the same — or found a better brand to recommend?
As I undertand the chemistry, the “safety” match will not ignite when struck against sandpaper. Well, possibly, you might generate enough heat through friction, but the intent of a safety match is that it needs the striker. The history of the match is interesting, containing such gems as fossy jaw. On short notice, Wikipedia: Match gives a good account, though I have read more detailed articles. The end of it is that the modern safety match is designed to be struck on a surface containing red phosphorus. The initial combustion takes place on the striker, or, at the interface between the match head and the striker. But it’s the red phosphorus in the striker that’s responsible for ignition.
I keep both strike-anywhere matches, and Uco stormproof matches on hand. Can’t recall the last time I actually used one – I mean, any sort of match. I’ve relied on butane lighters for my conflagratory purposes for a long time. Now that I don’t smoke, my main uses for lighters are melting paracord and heating heat-shrink tubing.
I do have a large quantity of promotional book and box matches. Back when I was a pipe and cigar smoker, I collected them, which was easy, as they were free. I recall when stores would include a free book of matches with a pack of smokes. Sometimes, the box was just out on the counter by the cash register — you could just grab a couple books. Usually, the store logo was printed on them. I also remember matchbooks with advertisements printed in them. My dad smoked, so there were always matchbooks in the house. Bars, restaurants, and hotels had promotional box and book matches. A thing of the past, pretty much, in the USA, I assume. But I do recall going into restaurants, and sitting down at a table with an ashtray with a book or box of matches in it.
@Anonymous: solution, part 1, is to hold your fingertip close to the head when striking the match. You can easily do this without getting burned. But by putting pressure more on the head, than the shaft, you’ll find you don’t break the matches.
Part 2 is probably to get longer matches. Uco makes a “long-burn” match, but that might be overkill for your needs. Try looking for candle matches, and/or fireplace matches. You’ll find they’re available in various lengths. The longer the match, the more important it is to keep your fingertip close to the head when striking.