Sounds like the foreman on the ranch I hauled hay for when I was in high school. He could start a fire using a wet bunny rabbit and a harsh word - never could figure out how he got so good at it. I was always too lazy unskilled to do it quickly.
Since he carried it around all the time, my son said it was easier to carry flint and steel.
I have a magnesium bar with a flint rod on it that works great with my Swiss army knife in creating a spark. It hangs on my belt (along with a little emergency kit) when I go hiking.
There are times when it is best to know different methods. I was alway curious to try using a water drop as a lense method.
That's one I've heard of but never tried. Sure seems like it would work on a nice sunny day.