I do it this way (if anyone is interested in another method):

Use Gulf Wax (paraffin).

Heat up the wax slowly in an old pot (or in an old pot in a pot of water [par boil]). Drop the matches into the liquid, take them out and put them in something that will allow them to stand striking head up. This lets the extra wax drain down to the end and not have the wax all globbed up on the striking head and therefore easier to strike.

Its a little easier than shellac, for me.

Sorry to interrupt, not trying to hijack thread.

Doc