Quote Originally Posted by Iolaus
I wish they were just a hair thicker.
I keep a similar but non-metallic bead in my tinderbox - it's a miniature blow-pipe to get the flame going after you've gotten a spark.

Most places call them "hair beads," and a good bead shop will carry all sorts.

Given the craze of decorating bloody everything with beads over the last decade, there should be a bead shop somewhere near you.