Max, I too, do not use magnesium blocks. I even had an awfull pair of magnesium framed service issue snowshoes. I tossed them on a fire and THEY didn't burn. All the stuff we discuss and review is out there; the good, the bad and the ugly, erroneous information about solar stills gushing bottled water in Death Valley and camouflaged, hollow handled RARE survival knives on Ebay with 1001 free items for $ 9.99. New people have to crawl over this stuff, it's why we are here. None of us would think of going into the wilderness with a packet of paper matches. Yet, with care they can be used in emergencies. Like a knife, the best firestarter is what you have.