Is one brand better than another? I've been told to get "Ohio Blue Tips", but can't seem to find them.

They are all virtually identical.I've used blue tips,diamond brand and Canadian redbirds. they are all fine. Matches are defined as hazardous/explosive materials under new and stupid shipping regulations. Because of this many retailers have stopped stocking them. I am able to buy the 250 count box for all of $1at our traditional hardware store.

Hi Chris,<br><br>I only realized that the matches were considered explosive/hazardous materials after I took them with me as baggage in the plain back to Holland.<br><br>I packaged them nicely also inside the box to keep the individual matches from rubbing over each other.<br><br>Our scouts like them we dip them in molten beeswax to waterproof the heads and cut a short piece from the "stick" so that they fit inside a film canister.<br>These are our homemade cheap survival matches and they work just fine :)<br><br>Best scouting wishes from Holland,<br><br>Bagheera

I've had better luck with the older Diamond and Firechief strike anywhere brands. The Diamond's striking head seems to be slightly larger than the others. In a extreme situation I want all the odds on my side. It's getting hard to find the older Diamond brand. They have been replaced by the "new and improved" and are blue know. I bought one box and will not buy another. If you have them in your area just buy a box and compare. You'll see what I mean. After reading Chris reply about the Canadian brand I would like to find some for a test. Take 10 to 12 matches and tie them together with dental floss in a round bundle. Dip them repeatably in hot wax that has started to cool a bit to coat the entire bundle. You can light the whole bundle on a rock or anything suitable, or break them apart and use a single. They are a self contained fire starter and work extremely well. They are called firebugs.