First of I live in an area where the biggest wood is the half inch stalk of a dead tumble weed. However, I have kepr fairly warm with a tumble weed fire. They are small enough to cut and use for kindling and maybe tinder. For tinder I can usually crumble up some dry grass.<br><br>As far as the magnesium tool I can usually start a fire with just the flint. <br><br>The major problem I have seen is the flattening out of the flint. It only takes a few strikes to flatten out the flint flush with the magnesium. It still works, but it is something to keep in mind.