Flint: I get smallish flint rods (about 1/8 inch diameter by 2 inches in length) from Ron Hood's site. They seem fine to me. I put them in each wooden match container where they fit just fine. A little cotton ball on top acts as backup tinder and keeps the matches from rattling. The URL is:

http://www.survival.com/

Bear

I have read about the char cloth and its use in some old books and on the internet. Have not tried it yet. We are going to build a bow and drill and a fire plow and try the friction methods. I will let you know how it goes.