A bushcraft knife idea I had

savagesicslayer

savagesicslayer

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May 24, 2005
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I was looking at the handle of a RC-5 and the hole for a fire bow spindle.Now,as all of us who have either made fire with a fire bow know friction is both our friend and enemy.friction is needed to start a fire at the bottom of your spindle not the top.And I like the idea of having the spindle always with you.Though micarta seems like it would bind up the spindle once it gets worn down some.
Now the idea I have is this.A bushcraft knife handle with the hole but with a twist.The bottom of the depression has a copper liner to eliminate friction.The wood spindle would rest against the smooth copper and be almost frictionless.Less energy expended VS more fires lit seems like math i can get behind.
Here's an idea of what I'm talking about.....
bushcraftidea.jpg

I have been looking but I haven't found anyone that lines these holes with copper yet.If anyone knows of one please let me know.
 
That would be interesting. I wonder if the copper liner would throw off the balancce of it.
I have been using my RC-5 as my bow drill divot for a while now. I don't think it has been wearing the micarta down at all, but has stained it allot ...
 
That's a most interesting idea! :thumbup:
My only concern would be stability. You'll have to press down pretty hard in order for your hand not to slip. But I guess you have to do that anyway when using a bowdrill.
But I like it, it reveals o very innovative thinking! Congrats dude!
 
Why not go one step further and have some sort of bearing in there then you would have zero friction or wear !
 
I've seen a guy use a shell as a divot for his fire bow.

About as close to zero friction from a natural material that I've seen.

I like the idea.
 
Teflon washers or Teflon block cut to fit would be pretty slick (pun intended ;) ).
 
Ooh, I like it. Make a teflon button and then counterbore the scale to inset it from below. Lighter than metal and much slicker.
 
I once got a coal on top before I got one on the fireboard. Sometimes you just have to go with it. Mac
 
I wonder if you couldn't simply take a sheet of copper or brass - hammer it into the hole - cut it carefully and epoxy it in.

TF
 
I don't imagine that the small piece of copper/smooth material would be any more weighty than the amount of scale material removed so balance won't be affected.
I'm guessing like this or maybe a tad bit deeper to help hold the spindle better.
bushcraftidea2.jpg
 
Why not make the divot flat on one side and with the divot n the other, then you could make it that you can reverse it to give you the side you want. Does this make sense?

My only fear is the snugness holding the divot piece in may wear off after a time.
 
probably the best way would be to put a plug of copper in the handle and then machine in the divot. you could offset the weight on the other scale by inserting and equal amount of weight.
 
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