I stole the striker from a Firesteel I bought. The teeth on the striker really cut into the magnesium and make a lot of shavings. I'm thinking about switching to a hacksaw blade though I haven't tested it yet.

Thanks to everyone who have responded. All are great tips.
thanks muchly.

Magnesium bars are common for two reasons. First, I think the same armchair researcher who came up with the solar still got the military all excited over cheap, long lasting, small and lightwieght magnesiuum bars for survival kit. Of course, now we have SPARKLITES and poor Oak had to switch from beautifull brass units with replaceable flints to plastic- to save wieght and lower unit costs. The second reason Magnesium bars are so common is companies can sell a VERY inexpensive item for a rediculously expensive price.Do they work? Yes, if you practise all the information posted here. Are they worth it? That will be your final decision.

I just made a discovery on mine that has made it a million times easier to use. I've replaced the firesteel striker I was using with a fine toothed jig saw blade. Sturdier than a hacksaw blade and smaller.

The saw blade can create a pile of shavings in just seconds and generates an incredible amount of spark compared to what I was using before.

Best of all they came ready to go 2 to a package. I didn't have to buy a hacksaw blade only to use an inch of it.

Thanks for the "short hacksaw" comment. I'm going to add that to my magnesium blocks in the different BoB's that I maintain!!

The saber saw idea posted by someone above sounds like as good a deal as a chunk of hacksaw blade, probably even better...

I find the mag bars are cheaper than the rods without the mag
attached. I think you are full of it on this one.

I have dozens of those in the case with my jigsaw... I can't seem to throw them out...they just pile up in there. I'm going to try that!

I have used the magnesium blocks since I was about 12 (50+now). I found them relatively easy to use and virtually indistructable aside from a little corrosion.

Here might be a solution, Magnesium Ribbon 75 ft for 13 bucks plus shipping, I'm going to buy some and I'll let everyone know how it works. Here is the link.

http://www.everythingpyrotechnic.com/miscelaneous.htm