Survival mega fire kit

Here are photos of one of my fire kits.I call this one my mega kit because of the size of the rod-5 inches long and 1/2 inch across! Its called the "Moose". I got this from my favorite store, Going Gear.
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=84
I should be able to start several thousand fires with the big boy. I keep the rod, striker, and a tiny zip lock bag with 2 pieces of Coghlans emergency tinder in the leather pouch.

The first shot shows a box of carbide pieces I bought several years ago. I think these are used to re-tooth industrial saws and machine shop tools. These are 1 x 1/4 x 1/16 inches. I intended to make a few knife sharpeners and never got around to it. I did make some very nice ferro rod spark strikers that will last several life times. I don't think I will be able to dull the edge on this thing even if I go through a dozen roods like the one pictured. Carbide is very tough stuff. It can sharpened with diamond laps and that's the only thing I know of that will touch it. That's why its used in saws, drill bits, rotary rasps, machining tools, etc.

This striker is 2 1/4 inches long and as you can see its mounted in a piece of deer antler. I used an oval needle file to make the grooves for improved grip. Getting the carbide into the antler was easy. I drilled 3 holes in line and used a diamond Dremel bit to enlarge the slot for the carbide. Super glue did the trick for holding the carbide in place. Drilling a hole for the lanyard and attaching same was the last part of the construction.

I carry a film canister of Coghlans Emergency Tinder with this kit. Also, there's a zip lock with two pieces in the pouch with the rod and striker.
http://www.coghlans.com/products/tinder-8649
I like to use natural tinder, but the Coghlans is a never fail starter for times when I need a fire in a hurry. I used it once to start a fire during a sudden downpour in the mountains. It easily takes a spark and burns long enough to get damp tinder going. I experimented by using a pea sized piece of this tinder and that's usually enough to get a fire.

The mega kit is shown at the bottom. The two photos before the mega kit show one of my antler cased ferro rods with a striker attached to the lanyard. The rod in this is 2 1/2" x 1/4".