Metal Matches are actually, IMO, very good fire starters. If anything, I like it better than a zippo. This is because fuel doesn't evaporate nearly as quickly and, because you are striking the ferro-rod long ways (as opposed to just at the end) it's possible to get more sparks. Therefore, if the fuel does run out, it's a bit easier to get a fire going by spark.

The downside though, is that no one seems to make a real high quality version. Most of them are cheaply made mostly-plastic imports with small ferro-rods and difficult to hold-onto striker/match parts. If someone put some real thought into designing a well-made modern version, I would definitely buy a few.