It should catch a spark quite easily... shave it thin with your knife edge like a scraper or use the back of a hack saw blade the same way like a wood scraper... I'll be adding a couple new items to this thread in the next week so keep an eye out :0)
When ever I have need to cut down a pine tree here in sunny Florida, I choose to cut it high at 4 to 6 feet above ground level. It is a bit more dangerous but can be safely accomplished. What happens is; after the tree is cut down, the roots continue to feed sap to the tree although most of it is gone. This shortened trunk above ground will become super saturated with pine resin sap. This is future fatwood. As you need it, harvest this log, cutting it off close to the ground. I cut into 12 inch lengths, split and store for use as fire starters. jus sayin'