This has always been my favorite fire starter backup If your matches or lighter gets wet this will ALLWAYS work.
One edge has a "flint" edge (probably more like the "flint" in a cigarette lighter). The bar itself in a magnesium alloy. Shave off a little of the magnesium onto the kindling and strike the flint.
My biggest problem is that I lose them too easily.
A
fire piston is one of the neatest fire starters around.
A "see thru" demo
Fancy demo
Practical demo (with a little patent pending BS)
Malaysian Fire Starter - no rubber O ring or synthetic lube