Ok, well it looks like there was a glitch in whatever I did before trying to get a fire with vasoline cotton balls. I got some XL balls the other day from Wal-Mart and the jar of goop and although I tried this out in my fireplace, I didn't even have to shave the magnesium off the fire starter. i just struck the bar and away it went...I want to try it also water soaked, in the rain, etc..but so far, so good. I can't wait to get into the outdoors and cook hotdogs over a fire I built without a BIC!!
I am stoked now..I already feel more secure in knowing them dang cotton balls will burn forever with cheap old vasoline!!