Fire starting with a bow drill

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  • Blacksmith101

    Grumpy Old Man
    Jun 22, 2012
    22,165
    Since you liked the flint and steel video you may like his "masters level" course in using a bow drill for starting a fire, another common method taught scouts. I like the fact that he explains the effects of choosing different woods for the various parts.

    Like everything else in life it takes practice to develop your skills.

    Here are links to his videos and blog posts on bow drilling in the order they should be viewed:

    Component parts of a bow drill set
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/component-parts-of-a-bow-drill-set/

    Bow drilling
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/bow-drilling/

    How to make a bow drill set
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/how-to-make-a-bow-drill-set/

    Posture and technique for bow drilling
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/technique-for-bow-drilling/

    Alternative postures for bow drilling
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/alternative-postures-for-bow-drilling/

    Fault finding for bow drilling
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/fault-finding-for-bow-drilling/


    These are his earlier posts on the subject referenced in the second link above:

    Fire by Friction Part 1
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/fire-by-friction/

    Fire by Friction Part 2
    https://www.jackravenbushcraft.co.uk/fire-friction-part-2/


    This is more than you will need for making a fire but it is good for those who are teaching others such as the scouts.
     

    JamesDong

    Banned
    BANNED!!!
    Aug 13, 2020
    3,260
    Duffield, Va
    I missed the the flint and steel video, was it using quartz and the back end of a hacksaw blade? That I remember well, easypeasy.
     

    Archeryrob

    Undecided on a great many things
    Mar 7, 2013
    3,064
    Washington Co. - Fairplay
    I have never messed with this, but I have been around enough people that do. I know you need specific wood combination for the drill and the hearth. I think cedar is Ok, and pine won;t work period because the pitch kills the embers smoldering or something. Some combinations make embers 3x's better than others and some hardly work even with a 1/2" drill at 3.000 rpm.

    Like Cedar is good for the hearth, I think, but the drill needs to be a different wood. You can't use Cedar or both, or so I think I remember. Now I am going to get some free time and have to try it out now. ;)

    See, soft woods are better
    https://www.lifesongadventures.com/2015/06/best-bow-drill-woods/

    Damn it, I've been burning Basswood all winter and have some in the shed. I'm going to have to slab one out into hearths and then make a drill and try this.
     

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