When I think of bloody incandescent bulbs, I imagine the bulb, shattered, in... Um... An orifice of sorts.
Anyway, now the the OP has altered his original post, we know a little more.
Akasa cathodes are the only ones I can find for sale in the UK. I havent heard anything bad about them, although I havent heard anything good either. Cathodes are pretty much cathodes, some will burn out in an hour, some a day, some will longer then their rated lifetime (usually around 3 years) as long as the shipping guys are gentle, you shouldnt have any problems.