The anode is really gnarly looking- like barnacles on a piling.
Running down the center is a steel rod.
While you *could* make a firestarter out of it I'd regard buying a dedicated firestarter as a very cheap way of buying out of the trouble of doing anything with the rod.

I keep one or two around to show people how they can make their water heater last forever. (change it before it's fully consumed by corrosion and the steel of the tank is completely protected from corrosion)

It also does a fine imitation of the dreaded BOHICA.