Diamond Match Company

[y_p_w]

I still have a couple of boxes of the American made matches. I think I bought them maybe 2007? Still works if I need to light the stove. I bought a 3 pack of 250 at WM. Might have been less than $2.50. Also have one last small box that came in a 10 pack. I think I got these for a backpacking trip, including strike anywhere matches I placed in a sealed match container. This was back when they were owned by Jarden Brands before their merger with Newell Rubbermaid.

Heard the factory in Minnesota closed. I don't believe stick matches are made in the US any more.

https://www.manufacturing.net/opera...chstick-factory-in-the-us-will-soon-shut-down

The label does have a few things I question. Says it has a “safe non-toxic head”. These days, matches sold in California have a Prop 65 warning, although it might not be about the head.

You can still buy Diamond matches, but they’re imported. Not sure how many still use them over butane kitchen lighters. Obviously smoking is down.

https://www.diamonddoesitbetter.com/product-category/matches/

 

[Astro_Guy]

This facility burned down many years ago and all that remains are the concrete walls of the building to the right and the concrete pads for everything to the left of that.

See for additional history.

 

[y_p_w]

This facility burned down many years ago and all that remains are the concrete walls of the building to the right and the concrete pads for everything to the left of that.

See for additional history.

They had a fire at the lumber mill in Red Bluff, California in 1915. It wasn’t a match factory, but a lumber mill that supplied doors, sashes, and wood for matchsticks. I believe matchsticks needed to be dried for at least a year.

 

[DukeOfFrontenac]

In 8th grade Industrial Arts class my group created a diorama of a Diamond Match production facility. Good times. Is Ohio Blue Tip still alive? My last stick match purchases were "Three Star" from Jonkoping Sweden and Diamond "Strike Anywhere" made in Chile.

 

[gman2304]

I remember the D.D. Bean company in Winston Salem, N.C. They manufactured paper book matches. I think they might still be in business in N.H. which was the corporate offices at the time, 1970’s.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

This facility burned down many years ago and all that remains are the concrete walls of the building to the right and the concrete pads for everything to the left of that.

See for additional history.

There is some irony in that situation.

We have a some strike anywhere and I think strike when wet matches in our hiking day packs. Different versions sealed in waterproof floating containers. Those and other fire starters in the oops, hey you never know, boy scout packed day pack.

Many years ago on I think Modern Marvels they did a piece that included wooden match manufacturing place. I forget where but it was fascinating.

 

[y_p_w]

In 8th grade Industrial Arts class my group created a diorama of a Diamond Match production facility. Good times. Is Ohio Blue Tip still alive? My last stick match purchases were "Three Star" from Jonkoping Sweden and Diamond "Strike Anywhere" made in Chile.

I went backpacking in 2007 with Diamond strike anywhere kitchen matches made in Minnesota. I probably didn't need it since I had a backpacking stove with an igniter. I still had them for years and was using them on camping trips to light a two burner propane camp stove. The box of that and the strike on box lasted for years since I have an old stove that didn't necessarily fire up with a tricky pilot. Or to light the pilot.

And yeah there's still Ohio Blue Tip.

https://www.diamonddoesitbetter.com/products/ohio-blue-tip-strike-on-box-matches/

 

[goblin]

...These days, matches sold in California have a Prop 65 warning...

I was reselling minibikes overseas eons ago and all the KFX50 quads and every MX peewee bike was coming with a proposition something something warning because the engine cases contained some amount of lead and the bikes were meant for kids. They almost got off the market in CA when that caught them.