MY guess would be on the flint being bad, not the spark lite. Flint deteriorates, or something, after a while-I have a small metal one I bought from someone suggesting it on here, and the flint is replaceable. I think it retailed for $10-$15 or so. There is even a little slot on the side that you could put a small needle in & wrap with line. I bought this & got rid of all my other spark lites. Nifty little device-just forgot who makes it, or where I bought it from.