There are so many other things better than flint and steel if you are in a situation where you really need a fire that I would not even consider a flint and steel kit.
If I really need a fire I will use a 9 volt battery and steel wool rather than play around with flint and steel. If you want to impress at a rendezvous, that is one thing, if it is life and death, it is something else. Actually, a butane lighter is your best bet if it is life and death.