Wow, so someone mentioned using jute twine for a bird's nest here. So I tried it with char cloth and flint and steel, and it is easy to light! Quick blow into it and bang it catches. Good tinder. Doesn't burn as hot as a cotton ball and petroleum jelly, but its sure easy to light.

I really like the jute twine to catch a spark. I have a sparklite, a cotton pad and some jute twine in my wallet.

Also have some in my PSK. As well as my fire kit.

You don't always need it since if you prepare your tinder bundle well, it should take a spark pretty readily. While the jute can help speed up the process a little, don't skimp on preparations.

I once lit up a little bit of it with my sparklite in a smelly bathroom. Talk about survival. It kept me alive long enough to pee, wash hands, and get out before I would have passed out and died.