Strike anywhere matches

[John in Covina]

That happens if the matches got damp and then dried out again. You can't leave them outside overnite, or where it gets really damp.

 

[Daoud]

Such an interesting topic! Used to carry them around loose in the jeans pocket as a lad- the better to set off explosions and light fires with. Just what kids did back then. At any rate, the loose matches were subject to rubbing against whatever else was in your pocket, occasionally with hilarious results.

There is all kinds of information available by Googling "strike anywhere matches" and "ohio blue tip matches," including directions on how to make your own. How about THAT for DYI.....roll your own smokes, light 'em with your own home-made matches.....burn your own nose off.....Yikes!

 

[John in Covina]

That's why they used to make "match safes" which are pretty collectable now. A modern version is usually available a camping stores.

There was a indoor match holder that was like a cup for the matches and an unglazed ceramic piece to strike the match on.

 

[Daoud]

Oh yes indeed- I have a couple of match safes. The idea of setting my pants on fire isn't quite as funny as it was long ago.

Speaking of match holders, there used to be a kind that was very common in the days of wood kitchen stoves, then into the era of gas stoves with no pilot light. It was made of tin and held a box of matches. You'd slide the brown part of the box out and stick it in the holder and hang it on the wall next to the stove. Pretty neat.

Another use for wooden matches was as a sort of air freshener. There were always some in the bathroom of my grandparents' house. You'd just strike one and almost immediately blow it out, and the sulphurous smell would cover up any unpleasant odors. I suppose anymore many people would consider the smell of a burnt wooden match to be an unpleasant odor in itself. Oh well.....