I can reliably get two fires out of one Tinder-Quik by cutting it in half before use. I can fit a bunch of them in a single match safe and they come out easily when I need one. For me, they're worth the money.

If you are ever in a situation where you really need to light a fire, money spent for a fire starter is trivial.

Tinder-Quik lights with a spark while wet? I don't think anybody here means that. I think you mean it lights from a flame while wet. If we already have a flame going, then Tinder-Quik is to be compared to other fuels/kindlings, not other tinders.

The same goes with inner tube, which is sometimes referred to as waterproof tinder. That's inaccurate! It may be waterproof "fuel", but it's not waterproof tinder. In fact, I say inner tube is never to be considered tinder. Try to start a dry inner tube by using a ferro rod, and let me know how it works out. If something can only ignite from a flame (and not from a spark or another chemical reaction), then that's not tinder.

By the way, we're talking about a product (Tinder-Quik) that is both more expensive and less reliable than other alternatives. In that sense, money does matter. I also imagine a situation where a group leader is teaching a group of 20 people or whatever. The group leader needs to know that they don't need to waste their money on garbage when less expensive, more reliable products are available.

I have not tested this extensively, but I cut open a damp Tinder-Quik and found it dry on the inside, fluffed that part out and it took a spark quite nicely. I don't know how long you'd have to soak it to get those inner fibers wet.

The insta fire stuff sounds like the sawdust/wax blocks you can get at the dollar store, just more expensive.

I've made my own version of tinder quik, it's completely waterproof in the sense that you can soak it for hours and the inside is still dry. Just wipe it down and it'll light with a spark.

Care to elaborate?

It's nothing fancy, just cotton ball rolled into cylindrical shape saturated with tea light wax/vegetable oil mixture. Not messy like PJ balls and floats on water.

Sweet, but you threw me off with the vegetable oil. Are you soaking the cotton balls in vegetable oil first and then dripping the wax on?

The oil is mixed with melted wax beforehand. If you use straight wax the end result will be too hard to pull apart and fluff, especially in cold weather.

What's the approximate ratio? I don't feel like finding out on my own, thanks.