Oak of SPARKITE has addressed the flint issue. Forum members may recall the limited run of aluminum units with a hex retaining thread. This allows removal of the spring tension mechanism and replacement with a fresh flint ( standard lighter flints.)
with an enclosed hex key and some spare flints you would be hard pressed to wear one out.

Firemaking devises and methods in the survival community seem to follow the 'better mousetrap' Holy Grail. Some people become adept with one or more sytems while others embrace a different approach.

Part of the fun- everybody is having fun, no? - is the magpie impulse to mess around with Kelly Kettles, K&M matchcases etc

Again, like sleeping bags, we all crawl into our choice at night, and either have, or have not a warming fire.