Fire bow drill

**Stitch** · 07-18-2011, 02:46 PM

I have been successful in the past with the bow drill in starting a fire thanks to Cody Lundin's Aboriginal Living Skills taken at Yavapai College. It has been a few years since I have practiced this skill. It took me five attempts to get a decent coal. Lesson learned this is a perishable skill that must be practiced to be maintained - at least for me. I used a tinder bundle made from Cottonwood inner bark.

Bow drill components.

**Domdabears** · 07-18-2011, 05:31 PM

Awesome stuff bro. Looks great. I did it once a couple years ago. I gotta get out there and try this again.

**Stitch** · 07-18-2011, 05:34 PM

I forgot to mention I used crushed Yarrow in the top socket. It burnished the top of the Yucca spindle and the Cottonwood socket.

**Echo2** · 07-18-2011, 06:02 PM

Nice....I used to do this every year at my buddies annual camp....but now with kids and work and life in general.....

I'm going to have to see if I still have my bull sac fire kit around here somewhere.

**Sticks65** · 08-07-2011, 09:09 AM

I mainly use willow and sycamore,in my area these are the best combination of woods.

**slo793** · 09-09-2011, 05:18 AM

Very nice info. I would like to give this a try so I can add it to my knowledge. I'll post after I try it.

**manddoutfitters** · 09-09-2011, 06:04 AM

Sticks which components are which as in whats sycamore and whats willow or do you think it matters. I havnt made a friction fire in a long time. I remember it being alot of fun when we used to do it.
Thanks

**countryboy6685** · 09-09-2011, 10:25 AM

Thanks I am going to try to do this tomorrow and see how I do . Never done it b4 but a good skill to have thanks again
Robert W

**Stitch** · 09-09-2011, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by manddoutfitters

which components are which

The upper socket is made from Cottonwood bark, rhe fire board/hearth is made from Cottonwood, the spindle is made from Yucca and I can't remember what I used for the bow.