Other possible locations for strick-anywhere matches are campground stores. I noticed that just about every Jellystone campground (yeah the one for kids) has them. There are Jellystones in Mansfield and Aurora, if any of those are nearby.

Diamondbrands.com says "You will find a variety of our products at Wal-Mart, Kmart, Meijer, Target, Ace Hardware, Kroger, Albertson's, Safeway, Winn Dixie, and many more."

Good luck!!

Yeah, most of the supermarkets (and I'm lumping Walmart in this one) only carry the strike on box versions..Check the Ace Hardware any other "non-kitchen" places. I think REI had some diamond strike anywhere in the small boxes..

FWIW I've been told that strike anywhere vs strike-on-the-box is not just a matter of store's choice; there appears to be an actual local ordinance governing this. I can drive just a few miles into another state, another county, or outside of city limits, and find strike anywhere easily.

I've had the same experience with NATO lifeboat matches flaring the whole length of the head rather than turning into a useful flame..repeatedly. Would NEVER be able to use them to light a lantern or stove, for example.

So now what I do is stuff the match into a handful of my smallest tinder (ultra-tiny twigs, waxed paper, etc) and strike the match with the tinder bundle squeezed around it. No problems this way, so far.

You make a good point. The matches did work. I did have backup in the form of a blast match and wetfire tinder but viewed those as a last ditch or TEOTWAWKI situation.

My frustration grew from the unexpected outdoor overnight stay, cold, hunger, and all the other things that one would encounter in an emergency. Perhaps an essential part of a survival kit is actual practice in using the items so carefully selected and carried. Not a new thought on this forum but one that was brought home to me in spades. I suppose I learned the hard way and will remember the lessons learned.

Thanks to all;
Jon

Care to tell the story? Might be interesting...

I was once told by someone, don't recall who, that strike anywhere matches could no be shipped by air, so maybe location has something to do with who has them and who doesn't...

A sordid and mundane little situation but perhaps interesting.
My wife and I purchased 40 acres in SW Missouri sometime in early July. The only problem was a family of squatters on the land who refused to leave. Former owner was obligated under the contract to get rid of them. Lawyers, etc, etc they played on his sympathy and played the matter again and again. I got tired of the game and this past Monday evening I drove to a hill on the property overlooking the occupied house, pitched camp built a fire and made a big show of marking my territory. (sometimes literally) It has taken several cold and sometimes wet days but they finally packed up and left my land yesterday. My wife and I move in tomorrow morning. Only in Missouri.....

Jon

do tell how you did the marking... <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

One of our local hardware stores (IIRC its an Ace ) even carried the penny size strike anywhere matches.

In my experience a Bic or a Zippo often needs a second-stage tinder which will hold the flame and burn for a minute or so. Paper will do if you have enough; cotton wool if it's soaked in wax or vasaline; commercial tinders like tinder card or quik tab or Coghlan's are great. Without something like that, I find it hard to start a fire with a Bic unless conditions are ideal (eg no wind).

I've never been a fan of matches because they are bulky, don't cope with water, can degrade over time and can be hard to light. And they have the same issue as above - they really need a second-stage tinder.

You can often improvise tinder, but nowadays I like to carry some so I don't have to.

(A first-stage tinder would be something that turns a spark or ember into a flame - the fuel in a lighter, or the chemicals in a match.)