i holland a swedich firesteel and a MFS cost almost the same, so i tend to go for the firesteel. i have heard great stuff about the blastmatch, but for me that is imposible to get ( you don't have to give me a URL or something, think i got a way to lay mine hands on one <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> just got to wait 4-5 months ).
i find firesteel pretty effective, make sure you strike it with the right side of the striker. one side of the striker is round off the other is sharp. if you can't light it with the sparks alone ( no tinder or whatever ) you can scrape the rod with your knife/the scraper, same as striking it but slower so you won't get sparks. and than just use it like a MFS.