The ferrocerium rod alone can be used differently, as well- more like the magnesium. You can use a sharp(ish) edge, with real pressure, in a shaving motion to shave some of the rod (slowly, as you don't want sparks at this stage) into a light coating, or a tiny pile, of black dust on the tinder. Flip the edge 90 degrees and create a shower of sparks, and the sparks will ignite the dust, which burns for seconds and will start tinder that the sparks alone wouldn't.

The technique should be used sparingly, as it uses up the rod much faster than just "sparking", but at that point this may be the least of your concerns.