Scrappy,
Tests and reviews by others, such as Old Jimbo, seem to show that there are, indeed, quality differences between the cheap magnesium firestarters and the brand name ones. I can't speak to that from personal experience, since I've only extensively used the name brand (Doan).
Magnesium can work, but, in my opinion, is inferior to alternatives such as fatwood.
A firesteel and fatwood are, in my experience, the best combination of reliability and ease of use, for firestarting. Additionally, tinder-quik is the best man-made tinder, in my experience and my tests.
You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of various firestarting tools and tinders, on this page:
http://www.mikespinak.com/articles/Essays/e996thepsk.htmlAnd you can read in depth about using a firesteel, and little bit about preparing and igniting wood tinders, on this page:
http://www.mikespinak.com/articles/Essays/e994firesteelhowto.htmlRainwalker is right that it's worth learning how to make a friction fire, too. However, friction firemaking and man made firemaking tools should not be viewed as exclusive alternatives. They are complementary, to cover your bases as well as possible for the widest range of circumstances.
