So today I decided to try to start a fire using a fire steel, since I've never actually done it. It's a lot harder than it looks.

I had some nice dry grass for my tinder bundle and about wore myself out trying to get it lit. I had some shavings from one of the silver magnesium blocks that would pop when a spark hit them but didn't ignite. Then I tried dryer lint with petroleum jelly on it - no dice. Then I tried individual jute twine threads torn up into little pieces - nope. Then I tried small shavings from a dried corn stalk. Finally a small coal from a previous fire lit, and some of the other stuff began to smoke, but I couldn't blow it into a flame. Today is pretty windy, so maybe that has something to do with it.

I'm sure some of the people here have successfully started fires this way. What advice/ tips do you have?

Thanks, Vogeler