I read an article on these firestarters some time ago and wanted to make some. I just never got around to it til recently.

Start with the bottom of a cardboard egg carton. Fill the individual egg holes with wood chips. I used chips made with a sharp chainsaw blade and leveled everything a bit below the outside edge. Next, melt candlewax and pour wax into each egg hole, till the wax is well spread. Let it dry and harden, then you can cut one out to start a fire. Just light the cardboard with appropriate twigs and sticks on top.

Pros, they burn for a long time, giving you ample opportunity to build your twigs on top. Cons, they take a little work and you have to buy wax, but they do burn a good while. You do still need a match because a shower of sparks probly isnt going to work.

Powdery sawdust that is too fine may not work if it packs too tightly in the carton, as it won't allow the wax to circulate properly. When I cut one out, they hold together well and only 2 or 3 chips fall free.