The flint steel is manmade and is composed of several hard alloys. This element of the firestarter will produce close to 1100 degrees of heat and will produce a shower of sparks. The flint steel should last up to a year if you use it two or three times a week. Note: If you run out of your flint, don’t throw away your Firestarter…you can purchase another flint and add it to your Firestarter.