So,

I'm going through and updating my kits, BoB, etc and replacing items that need it. Hard candy, water purif tabs and so on.

So I get to the matches. I trash all of them and go to put fresh ones in the safes. No matches in the house except "Strike on box" crap. Bummer, off to the store I went for "strike anywhere" matches.

First stop? Wally-world. "Hmm, they must be fresh out." I think. Plan B, Local supermarket. Also fresh out, damn. Am I seeing a trend here?? Off to Target. Guess what? don't even carry them. WTF?

Is there a sudden call for strike anywhere matches? Match goblins got the market cornered? All the new smoking bans got the smokers hording them?

Any idea what's going on? I know I heard something quite sometime ago about the SA matches were "more dangerous". Whatever.

Can anyone shed light (pun intended) on the subject, or tell me where to get them here in PHX?

DLR

Last Christmas/New Years there was a run on matches around here. Maybe it's the time of year when folks like to have lit candles around and they prefer strike anywhere matches, or perhaps it was a coincidence. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Then there's fireworks to be lit as well...

I prefer to have REI stormproof matches with a striker in my kits so I probably wouldn't have known or made note of the shortage if a family member hadn't mentioned it to me.

As for strike anywhere matches being dangerous, I guess they could be, but I haven't heard of them being banned or anything.

Keep trying. Check hardware stores too, where they have their BBQ stuff. Same with any store, look for the BBQ.

But you would have better matches if you get some REI Stormsafe matches. They require their special striker, but in addition to the ones on the box they give you another one, sealed in plastic, in each box. You can even put those lit matchesunder water, and when you pull them back out the flame comes back. Must be magic...

The only place i have had the chance of seeing them here in SC is at a mom and pop convenience store. Now they don't sell them anymore. I am glad i got some when they had them. you can order them through a website but i can't get to my favorites file on my old comp. I know they are Penley S-A matches. maybe a google search will help

kirby

If you have an Albertsons look for Penley strike anywhere better then Diamond. Rei Stormproof also have them in my 24 hr pack.

Lee

First the old formulae for SA's was changed many years past. They were a source for improvised explosives. The next blow came when they were classified as a HAZMAT item. It's the PROHIBITIVE shipping costs that have driven many retailers to drop them. In the real world of survival you are better off with a premium match. It's sad though ; silver dimes, Morse Code and sextants at sea, staples in that men's magazine, heavy wieght levis made in San Francisco and Perry Como on the handcrafted in America Radio instead of snoop dog- gone, all gone <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

There you go...
I learn something new every day.

Check the most expensive grocery stores around you. Here in WA, the price of the SAs went up from about $1.19 to $2.49. Most of the lower-priced stores probably figured that their customer base wouldn't tolerate a more than 100% increase.

Sue

I feel your pain in searching for SAW matches. Our local Meijer didn't have any, but our other major grocery store did. If you were to voice your concerns about availablity of SAW matches to the Diamond Company in a letter, and word it just right, you just might get a case of SAW matches delivered to your house in a nice big box. Nice company.
HTH
Michael

Yes, SA matches are classified as HAZMAT.
Seems that SO many people are worried about the danger in every item that the benefits are ignored.
Sign of the times, people are so pampered that it's no wonder the general population (does not apply to forum members) is virtually helpless if the American Express card is not the solution.
You know people who wish to make explosives can still find the means, so it accomplishes absolutely nothing to make the world safer, It does create strange paradox's though. In order to buy SA matches recently I had to buy many more boxes online than I wanted in order to make the HAZMAT charge justifiable.
While I have some REI matches as well SA are the main stay of my kits.