Tom, Firemaking is so critical a redundancy in resources is a given. On the one hand a quality metal match is the most foolproof, long lived and durable of methods. On the other, a handfull of quality matches are finite, subject to degradation yet universally known and familiar to almost everyone. The magnesium bars will make a fire with a flint true. Truth is many people carry these without never actually practising with one. I was informed by a former commissioned officer his trusty mag bar could outperform my sparklite AND be used to sharpen knives. A few minutes later I had a fire going. My detractor was busy scraping the white oxidation off with his trusty ( and dull) K-bar. This is an extreme example. People can and do make fires with mag bars. The Sparklite is a very simple and reliable system. Both systems have roots in military use. In fact, "Oak" of Sparklite is a two tour vietnam vet . The system is a small,light unit with pretty foolproof ignition and tinder. The small tinder supply is actually deceiving. I have successfully started fires with as little as 1/4 of a tinder tab. So, for me, the Sparklite is a simple,reliable system for emergencies. For long term adventures I have a metal match- and matches, lighters, fatwood sticks, vaseline soaked cottonballs, magnifying glass to name a few options.