Is the Magfire "basically the same" as the Boyscout Hot Spark?

Well, in the same way that a Cooper Mini is "basically the same" as a Kenworth Semi (they have motors, they have wheels, they go on the highway) a Magfire is the same as a Boyscout Hot Spark.

The Magfire metal is a totally different alloy, is MUCH more durable (The Magfire Standard is about 1/4" in diameter and the Magfire PRO is 3/8" in diameter) and is issued to soldiers in Nordic Countries.

You can (and I have) snap a BSA Hotspark in half just trying to generate a good sized spark, and the tiny handle is not good for my fat adult fingers. Sure, a hotspark is fun and all, and fits on a key chain, but it's not the sort of think I pack in a real PSK when help isn't two tents over. When I'm out in the woods, and being too cold means dying, I carry not only "classic" fire starting items (matches and a lighter) I make sure I have the most reliable backup fire starter I can carry - a Magfire Pro.

If it's metal and it burns, I've tried it, and that's why I've put my money where my mouth is, dropping serious cash importing a good supply of Magfire products and taking time away from my real job to sell them at retail and wholesale. I've never been a big product fan before, but this Magfire thing is something of an obsession for me, I guess.

I'm glad it worked for you, and I too carry a Magfire around and light things when I can. Practice, practice practice and soon you'll learn the fastest ways to get fire. I routinely get 1-strike fires on natual tinders now that I've gotten the sparking technique really down. Stuff that I used to struggle with lights up.

So, thanks for the product endorsement and keep sparking away - so you wear out your Magfire and buy another one!