Fire Starter Olive Drab

These are a must have for all kits and vehicles or camping pack.

I bought one of these 10 years ago for my emergency kit. The electric power went out today for 12 hours, and I dug out my Spark-Lite Fire Starter to practice fire starting without matches or butane lighters. The flint had OXIDIZED and the sparker wheel was stuck against it. After some effort the wheel turned and a bit of white/gray powder fell out of the tube. I assume more flint was in the tube, but the oxidation had expanded the flint and it was stuck, and the internal spring was unable to push the it up. I banged the bottom of the tube with a knife handle but the flint was stuck fast fast. I have other back up fire starting items but this shocked me. Had I been in the wilderness and this had been my last fire starter I would have been endangered.I live near the coast with high humidity but if you live in a dry area this might not be a problem. I'd give this item a ZERO rating due to it's unreliability as a lifesaving item. But for those who bought one I'd suggest you bag or wrap it in plastic, perhaps with a small desiccant packet, and test it annually.