olddude,

Yes, it works fine. I was surprised that in just a few hours that I got surface corrosion. I rinsed it off with water as soon as I noticed the corrosion. I thought the dark coating was some kind of protective surface; guess not!

I am carrying it loose in my pocket. I have carried my previous one, that I misplaced, and a BSA Hot Spark and they have never had a problem.

I thought it worth bring to people's attention that leather could damage their ferro rod. I know if I did not have a ferro rod I might not be able to start a fire in the wind and cold. The flame of my mini Bic blows out easily.