At work every now and then when I use steel wool to clean my kitchen equipment, I will pull out a 9 volt battery and show folks that steel will burn.

If you take very fine steel wool, 0000 will do, and get the spark started it will burn as long as you blow on it. I have had a pad burn for several minutes.

To start a fire with it build your tinder pile on top, spark an edge and blow on it an in a minute you will have a nice little fire going.

It always amazes people that steel will burn.