Thanks for the responses. I got some sparks with the hacksaw blade; it wasn't a huge shower, but I also could have pushed harder and/or moved it faster. I was however, pushing pretty hard with the P-51 and it just slid down the rod with no effect, but it's edge is thicker than a P-38s and is rolled over smooth, so if I'm supposed to be grinding or shaving material off of the firesteel, then I'll need to put an edge on it. I'm not sure how hard I'm supposed to push or how fast to move along the rod -- that's why I think it may be a technique issue. Of course, it could also be that the firesteel or P-51 steel is sub-par, but I lack the experience to make that determination.