Hmmm...

Seems that with a little ingenuity an improvised fire piston could be manufactured in the field from that $1 bic and expedient material after the bic ran dry. The tough part is getting a piston to fit tightly in the Bic. The two things required for effectiveness is a smooth inner wall and a tight fitting piston. The bic provides the correct inner wall but how to manufacture an oval piston in the field that will get a tight fit? Well some nearby hardwood, knife, cordage. The better you whittle the less cord required. I would guess that something like simple cotton cord would be best but you might be able to make due with dental floss. OTOH if you have a round lighter the whittling might be easier.

Must try this. Anyone with a good idea on how to open the empty bic lighter without damaging it beyond usefullness with simple field tools. ( I won't probably have my dremel in the survival situation.) Let's limit it to the tool set of a leatherman / swisstool type implement.