I'm not a big fan of the magnesium fire starters. When you're cold or wet or its dark is no time scrape a whole lot of magnesium bits or keep a little pile of magnesium together in the wind. I'd rather take a ferrocerium rod and carry alcohol swabs, fine steel wool or waxed/vaselined cotton balls. They light easier, and are easier to prepare. The magnesium bars work, but they're one of my least favorite tinders. Nifty sounding ideas, but one hellva pain to use.