wet matches, carbon steel blades, ferrocerium rods, and various rock loot

[sausagekingofchicago 4711]

Starting fires with carbon steel blades and loot-able rocks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_35kxuwjcTs

A little faster than that. :)

Carbon steel blades

[eddict 3]

Are carbon steel blades a common thing?

[Jeremiah Cross 55]

Stainless steel is more common. Carbon steel is basically regular non-stainless steel, so it requires a bit of care. Carbon makes the steel harder but it also makes the edge more brittle. When you strike steel to a flint the sparks are actually flakes of metal being shaved off the steel and heated due to the forces. The carbon in the steel effects how long and how hot the sparks burn.

I see no reason why the hunting knife couldn't serve for this in the game though. That said, it shouldn't be a reliable ignition source. I'd say give it a 10-20% success rate, which is fairly realistic. 0.001% if it's raining.=)