First off let’s take a look at the wrongs…. you said “You’re supposed to use these strikers by inserting rod into the half-moon-shaped notch at the very end. That notch has ridges that are supposed to bite into the firesteel, but really there’s not much difference between using that notch and using any of the other sides of the steel”……. this is totally wrong. One of the long flat sides of the y striker as you call it, has a sharp edge on it. When you use this edge at a 45° angle it will scrap lots of magnesium off and throw lots of sparks. 2nd …The half moon shaped end with ridges on it are used to scrap fatwood so you can process fine tinder. Please learn how to use the products you are reviewing before tell other people they dont work.