The thing about ceramic is cleanliness.....it has a natural bite you cannot beat, but you should do your best to clean it using an alcohol pad (one that is lint free) if your striker isn't grabbing run over it with some 220 grit sandpaper and try again, if this isn't working change the angle of your strikers to a more upward position, applying less pressure will help also. If all these tips don't get you going then contact the call maker, he would surely be glad to replace it or fix it , I know I would...pappy