Gents and Ladies, I hope they get their act together. I purchased both Blast Match and Strike Force from them along with a good supply of their Wet Fire Tinder. I will teach/preach the gospel of preparedness to any and all that will listen. One evening while waiting for a soccer practice to end, I got one of the dads into a conversation about preparedness. I took out the Blast Match and some Wet Fire tinder out to demonstrate. I crushed the cube as prescribed and sparked at it, over and over without ignition. I got another cube with the same results. I even tried lighting it with a lighter, nada. This was under perfect conditions (T@75F, no wind, on tarmac) I checked the packaging for expiration dates and found none. The next day I called the manufacturer and described the problem. The lady I spoke to mumbled something about maybe they expire, and when I said that there were no dating on the package, she said she didn't think she should say anything more, and she hung up.
I have not dealt with the company since and I doubt I will ever again because they've lost my trust. I hope they have gotten their act together, and wish them well, but my concern is that what if I was in the majority of folks that buy survival kits, first aid kits etc., and never practice with them but just put them away as an insurance policy for a rainy day. What if that day came and JohnQ needed to get a fire going. This could cause his demise. Maybe I'm still an altruist, but I hold certain industries to a higher standard. I hope the new management sees it that way too. Regards, Jim