Just checked their site www.countycomm.com They have the SP102 metal match for $7.00. For anyone not familiar with Countycomm, they are a good company and I have had no problems with them with anything I've ordered.

I received the SP-102 Metal match today. They are all packed in small sealed plastic bags, some with OD cord and some with a small dogtag type chain. There are instructions attached via the cord or chain. With the exception of the top most 1/2 inch it is covered by some type of plastic that looks like the metal match was dunked in it. I would think that this protects the striking surface. The ones with the cord are protected, the ones with the chain are NOT. Other than that they are the same. Countycomm also now has the USGI type small folding" Prep Razors" that are found in military FAk's and survival kits. These are $1.50 each. I'm at work, so I don't have a good place to test the sparking. There is no choise as to with cord or chain, I ordered 5 and got 3 with cord and 2 with the chain.

I wanted to order a few, but I've stopped using paypal. The only other place I found that carries the "metal match" is G.I. Jane Military Surplus.

Wonder why no one else seems to have them? It it a new product?

What's the deal with the metal match? Is it one of those ferrocerium high-energy synthetic flints, or more like an ordinary cig lighter flint? What's its attraction compared with a Sparklite?

Not sure what it's made of exactly. The directions were to scrape some of the material off into the tinder and then create sparks by striking the rod with something metal. Thanks to groo, you can see what GI Jane's has to say about it. I like the smaller size, it might even make it thru the TSA and on to the plane. Countycomm's site also has good pictures, but no detailed info as to what it's made of.

I like the size of the plastic handle. It might be a little harder to hold, but it fits on my keychain (and in my pocket) better than other firesteels this size. Here's one with some black heat shrink tubing: