Yeah! I was given a fire kit as a gift which included a hand forged fire steel and a piece of flint and a little bit of char cloth.

Today was the day to test it. I didn't want to use my limited supply of char cloth until I can make more so I used a little piece of steel wool to catch the spark. I had my tinder bundle ready and was able to get steel wool caught in a few seconds and the bundle to flame in very short order. The key is the extremely well heat treated striker. Sparks on every good strike!

I was really surprised at how easy it was to do. Full blown fire in well under a minute. I guess the key, as always, is in the preparation.

It's a good feeling, isn't it? Well done, friend!

-Blast

There were two really good feelings. The first was when the ember formed when the spark caught and the second was when the tinder burst into flame. When it burst into flame, it was almost too close to my face. Almost needed to borrow Blast's goggles.

Cool sensation, isn't it. Congratulations

Chuck Noland: "Aha. Look what I've created. I have made FIRE."

I felt exactly the same way when I made my first bow drill fire ember. Drop it into the fire nest and blow, whosh it caught fast! Definitely something about making fire that fulfills a primal need =)

Cool...

Nice! Now go do it in the rain

I intend to do just that. Ferro rod in rain wasn't too bad. Flint and steel. I dunno...we'll see.

The guy that gave the kit to me tested it wet. He soaked the flint, the steel, the jute and the char cloth for 20 minutes. After patting everything dry, he made fire! I didn't think it the char cloth and jute would light after a dunking like that.