Mine has never failed to spark. Of course, I haven't had it that long, either. It's easier to use and more ergonomic than the TAD product but maybe not as well built. I don't want to blow it out of proportion- in a survival situation, the fact that the handle isn't comfy won't bother me so long as the TAD strikes my tinder! I still want to try the aluminum Spark-Lite, though.

In case it doesn't go without saying, let me say I don't plan on either one being my only fire lighting tool. I plan to keep them to back me up if I lose my firesteel, lighter and/or matches.

BTW, you can check the date of my other post and see that TAD ships pretty quickly! I was surpised to get it so fast.