Does anyone know if strike anywhere matches are available in the UK. I always thought that the pink headed matches where strike anywhere as, i've always been able to get them lit on rocks and stuff. But are they, i've noticed that US ones have white spots on the top. Any ideas?

I've never even seen real, live strike-anywhere matches. Guess they don't make them any more in South Africa <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

the only thing i can found that is stike anywere are "stinkies". They small are wax paper matches.... not really suitable for survival....

Strike Anywhere matches were declared a HAZ MAT item in the USA. The enormous shipping costs have forced many dealers to stop selling them. Somebody also figured out the matchheads could be used in explosive devises. They are still available here at some stores @ $1 USD for a large box. The quality seems to have degraded also.

AFAIK strike anywhere matches are banned in many countries. Only "security matches" are allowed, for obvious security reasons.

I know some years ago, you could find wax paper strike anywhere matches in SPAIN, the same described by PC2K.


Alain

Got mine from Tesco. Bryant and May Strike Anywhere Matches , Made in EU. Come in a variety of sizes, but only with a pink top. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Justin

So are these the ones with a white dot on the top?

errr, no definitely pink top only, but definitely strike anywhere. So we;re not allowed to carry Glocks'n stuff but we can be trusted with strike only matches <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Reminds me that Mors Kochanski mentions that over50 people a year in N America die from fires caused by carrying matches loose in their pockets!!!!
Justin

Right, so I was right in thinking that red heads are strike anywhere. Good. Thanks.

So how do you stop them from lighting themselves when they *accidently* rub against something? Do you cost them with nail varnish?

Woft: Many people do coat them, but more for waterproofing than to prevent accidental lighting.

I carry mine just as they come out of the box, alternating "head-up" and "head-down" when I put them into a match safe.

The ignition chemical is only on the tip of the head, so you have to hold (or accidentaly hit) the match perpendicular to the striking surface. Friction on the side of the match head is safe unless you reach combustion heat from the friction.

Finally, it's just not that easy to set them off. You have to drag them against a fairly rough surface, with almost enough force to break the wooden shaft.

Of course, there are always exceptions and accidents.

I wonder if the US and European versions use the same chemicals in the same positions, but the European manufacturers just don't color the two chemicals differently. Or is the European version a homogeneous mix of chemicals throughout the head?

Bear

I think that they must be a mix because they can be struck just like normal safety matches - along the side.

for those who doesnt know what i ment, i scanned it ( i was bored.. )


first left: BCB lifeboat match
second left: Swiss made hurricane match
3de left: coughlands waterproof match
far right: stike anywere stinkie