Bow and Drill Friction Fire Tutorial

[Caribou92]

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I usually use dead cottonwood for my board and spindle, and a live branch for the bow as it is readily available in my area. A straight branch 3/4 to 1 inch, 6 inches long is great for the spindle, and stomping on a larger branch (dead of course) yields a nice board about a fingers width thick. I find that Juniper is hard enough for the hand hold, or a flat, hard rock with an indentation works well too. A mussel shell works too.

I see you made a wide pie wedge from the side of the board. I found that making a wedge from the underneath portion then out with the wedge 1/3 the diameter of the initial hole, just short of the center usually gives me the coal the quickest because there is more surface area on top for more friction. I usually set the board on a large dead dry leaf and the fire bundle off to the side.

Don't try to push overly hard. Speed with a light force down (just enough to keep spindle in place) is much better for creating heat. Don't try to take the spindle off as stated, but a light breath, then roll it out of the hole, rather than picking it up.After set-up (bow, board, spindle, notch, fire bundle) my quickest time to flame is 22 seconds.

[Rucksack Nation]

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[ColoradoMike]

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Awesome post...thanks