On a recent trip we collected all sorts of stuff near camp to light with a firesteel. In this case the steel was a little BSA hotspark that I have attached to the wrist lanyard of the knives I loan my students. The feathery grass heads lit like they were soaked in gasoline.
I have found that, yes, any chump can light a fire with a Bic, it isn't brain surgery. The firesteel takes some practice to get it right but I find once a student starts to get the hang of it "a coisa pega fogo!" (it catches fire, Brazilian expression for something that generates its own enthusiasm)
I carry a mini-bic in my canteen pouch side pocket and use it mainly for my alcohol stove. For firelighting I almost always use the ferro rod. When I teach firelighting it is always with the ferro rod because, any chump can use a Bic, and the ferro rod takes practice.
As said, the ferro rod is a bomb proof back-up if you know how to use it. I also carry PJ treated cotton as a "sure-fire" backup tinder. I try not to use it as, excpet for rainy season, there is usually enough stuff that lights right up nearby.
I like the mag bars (Doan Tool) because they are cheap, sold everywhere, and are just a ferro rod with a magnesium handle to hold it with. I use them as my main ferro rod teaching tool. Eah pair of guys gets one with a matchcase full of PJ cotton and a short section of hacksaw blade. I consider this a very good back-up to a lighter.
Lighters are a complicated system and lots can go wrong with them. I have had them rust, leak out their fuel, get too cold, too windy, wet, etc. The Ferro rod PJ cotton always works, and the cotton is unnecessary most of the time.
One warning concerning ferro rods, they rust quickly (white powdery rust with deep pits). Especially if they get soaked long term or are exposed to salt water. Coat any ferro rod with nail polish or something similar for long term storage in a kit. Mac
Chris
