Today I finally tried to use this magnesium fire starting tool I’ve had in my camping chest for years (still in the packaging!  ). It ended up being harder than I thought to get a fire going! Eventually I was successful but here are a few challenges I faced:

• The shavings often scattered rather then dropping down into my little pile. Is there a technique to get sizable shavings rather than fine flecks? It took quite a bit of scraping to accumulate a quarter size pile of shavings.
• The light breeze was blowing the shavings. It took numerous attempts and relocations to finally create a wind-free spot. The bigger flecks stayed put better than fine flecks.

What does a firesteel offer different than the sparking rod on the side of the magnesium bar? It would seem (to this firestarting noob) the added firestarting ability of the magnesium flakes makes a magnesium bar more desirable than just a firestarting steel…what am I not understanding about firesteels?