I will admit that I have a couple of small mag starters that are about the size of the military match and they are easier than the Doans. Maybe it's all in my head but the magnesium on my small imitation military matches actually seems softer than the magnesium on the Doans starters. They are les of a headache to scrape. I certainly wont argue that once you do get a decent supply of shavings built up you are certainly garanteed a flame. That stuff burns white hot for that split second that it is on fire.