I have had extensive practice with the "scout' version and would like to say that it just coems down to teqnuique and tinder. I can usually "light my fire" with just one strike. The one thing to realize is that the striker is actually perfect for it. It just takes time to get the exact right angle and on the right side.

you want the angle to e like this

|||| />>>>
||||------ tinder

the "/" is the angle the striker should be at reletive to the tinder. This reflects the sparks from not going as much up but more "on target". Also you should be able to read the part of the striker engraved "up" or "this side top' or something to that effect. It will make life much easier.