Nice little sparker, and it looks smaller and a lot more robust than a plastic sparklite. It would be nice if they included a bail loop on the screw end so the device could be attached to something.

I have two concerns with it if used as a primary fire source: In addition to the special tinder that ireckon mentions, you would have to carry spares of those tiny lighter flints. Replacing those with cold hands would be a challenge.

The second concern is related to my bail loop comment. The brass will patina to a dull brownish color....drop the sparker in muskeg or forest duff, and it would be nearly invisible.

Probably useful in a mini kit with cotton balls etc, but for me, I'll stick with orange mini bics.