Originally Posted By: MDinana


I've never been able to get the Mg block to be useful. THe shavings always flare for a split second and die away, having ignited nothing in the vicinity, except the hair on the back of my hands. Am I doing something wrong? Personally, I'd rather take the same weight in matches or lighters, since I'm more comfortable with those.


I have gone through 3 of those blocks, working on the 4th.
I wore out the sparker long before I used up much of the magnesium block.
I suspect they intend you to make a big pile of shavings if you need to use the magnesium.
You still need something decent for the magnesium to light on fire when it starts to burn.

Sparkers are something to use of you lose your lighters or matches.
After the sparkers you end up looking at banging rocks together or rubbing sticks together, and good luck with that in the rain.
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