Yeah, actually my brand new SL worked great at first - just after unboxing. It set a small strip of birch bark on fire without a problem. Then I tested it more and it began to lose "power". I couldn't light even the fluffed up brand new TinderQuick with it. (And yes, I was turning the wheel according to the arrow.)
So it was kind of tricky. If I had put it into my PSP or on keychain after first successfull tests, I might have been quite surprised later.
Which leads me to the advice that many here has been saying too - test your important gear often and always have a backup (same function, but different kind of the item).

I don't want to bad-mouth the company, it's just my experience. Actually I was disappointed that I would not be able to carry it because I liked the idea of a very small ferrocerium firestarter. But I had learned that this concept (tiny sparkers with wheel) is too much of a compromise. Now I carry the smallest orange Light My Fire firesteel and don't mind the extra weight at all.

Lighting a tinder with one hand using a simple ferrocerium rod and striker can be done. It's not super "user friendly" but it can be done. There is a thread here ( http://forums.equipped.org/ubbthreads.ph...true#Post158258 ) with some ideas on how to do it. I posted a video there but the links don't work now. If anyone wants I will reupload it.

Anyway the Sparky from UST looks a lot more reliable because you have accsess to the ferr. rod and therefore option to strike it with striker/knife if it fails. I might purchase it in the future to try it out.

Ok, I'm confused, I need something new, or the flint in my current spark lite is replaceable? I'd thought of replacing it, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. I wonder if the flint isn't bad, but it just got so short there isn't enough pressure to produce as large a spark.

l33t match
uber-match

Thats what was wrong with mine, i used it alot!! Speaking of which, My Blast Match broke a couple days ago, i tried to call UST and get a machine every time! The flint got so low te tab began to sit lower, it became hard to replace the "cap" and it finally broke off. but I like "uber match" its kinda like Uber bubble gum... mmm I want some now!! Thanks Raptor!!

There is a small clear Allen screw in the bottom which is easily tightened if you want to try that.

"Match-Less"

Match-Less is nice, Because you will only need it if youre "Match-Less" Thanks Compugeek!

I expect a royalty, of course!

Just kidding! I release any and all interests, rights and/or claims to the name, should you happen to actually use it.

Have at it! All I need now are 2 broken BlastMatch Strikers, I lost mine again! and a 1/4" diameter flint of atleast 2" in length, I need some help because i dont knw where to get enough money to waste 2 BMs and I need a CNC machine to finish the engraving and texturing.

Not to be a killjoy, but you may want to check with someone who has some knowledge of patent law, before you invest too much time (and money) into enhancing a BM. The modification(s) you are pursuing may not be significant enough from the original design to warrant awarding a new patent and may in fact be either an infringement of their design and/or trademark.

Pete