Fire pistons and (real) flint & steel seem like perfect, everlasting fire producers until you realize that they last only as long as the very special tinder does.

Sure, you can carry a large supply of tinder fungus for your fire piston, but then why not just carry a BIC lighter, matches and a ferro rod?

On the other hand it is good to *know* about fire pistons, bow drills, flint & steel, etc. because you can at least try to make them if you are caught out there with nothing at all.