Bow & Drill Chapter 3: "You call "THAT" an Ember??"

[SkunkWerX]

That "IS" an ember! :thumbup:

Sorry for the blurry pic, I was fanning at the same time.
This the 2nd one, out of 3, that I have gotten this evening!

It's about the size of half a penny in the photo, I was able to fan it larger, enough so it should have been plenty to work with.

Tulip Poplar is the hearthboard. [ Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) ]
Maple/Box Elder is the spindle.

I didn't have a proper tinder bundle to get ignition, but I will, soon enough.

 

[darthstrevel]

that's because you didn't have 3X times as much tinder as you thought you'd need...just kidding.

Finally, that pay-off! I always here you as an advocate of the bic for EDC...hopefully, you'll never have to do it this way....

Good Work Skunk!

 

[SkunkWerX]

that's because you didn't have 3X times as much tinder as you thought you'd need...just kidding.
Good Work Skunk!

THANKS! That Bic is staying close by.

You are so right! I never gave the tinder3X a thought, until it was posted recently. But it really makes a lot of sense.
I do have a small amount of tinder, but, figured first-things-first.
Now that I think I can get an ember with each session, it'll be time for some flame action.

If I get a second wind, might even try later.

 

[Coldwood]

Congrats, Skunk, you've earned it! Way to go!

 

[Codger_64]

Skunkman, you can loose a bic, but you won't likely loose the new skill you've learned. Even if you never really have to use it in an emergency, you have a new parlor trick to wow friends and family. By the way, it is also a good way to earn some knife money off of co-workers.

Codger

PS-Way to go man! Maybe some other foot-draggers will try now!

 

[StretchNM]

Outstanding Skunkwerx! I've been meaning to try that but haven't made the time.

 

[runningboar]

Way to go Skunk:thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[mewolf1]

Whew! I was starting to think you gave up.

Good work:thumbup: Kinda puts a spring in your step, don't it.

Wolf

 

[mtnfolk mike]

way to go skunk....:thumbup: you have made fire... it takes lot's of practice and patience....

besides the vast majority of the folks here, how many people do you know that can do that....

mike

 

[abo4ster]

That is awesome! Sincerely happy you got a coal.

But it doesn't count unless you blow it into flame. Its kinda of like hooking a large fish but not getting it to the boat. You can't eat the one that got away. Sorry to be a butthead, but that is what I got from one of my mentors.

Most people focus to much on ignition. Remember, fire is a three part equation, heat x fuel x oxygen. Ignition (a coal) is only 1/3 of the equation, heat. Your tinder bundle is 2/3 of the equation. A good place to start in learning how to blow your coal to a flame is using jute. Pull it apart into fine fibers and make a nest.

Trust me when I tell you spend time perfecting your tinder bundle. Your heat souce can change, but that little nest is critical. Nothing sucks more than busting your butt to get a coal, dropping it into your tinder bundle and not being able to get a flame.

Welcome to the club!

 

[SkunkWerX]

That is awesome! Sincerely happy you got a coal.

But it doesn't count unless you blow it into flame. Its kinda of like hooking a large fish but not getting it to the boat. You can't eat the one that got away. Sorry to be a butthead, but that is what I got from one of my mentors.

Most people focus to much on ignition. Remember, fire is a three part equation, heat x fuel x oxygen. Ignition (a coal) is only 1/3 of the equation, heat. Your tinder bundle is 2/3 of the equation. A good place to start in learning how to blow your coal to a flame is using jute. Pull it apart into fine fibers and make a nest.

Trust me when I tell you spend time perfecting your tinder bundle. Your heat souce can change, but that little nest is critical. Nothing sucks more than busting your butt to get a coal, dropping it into your tinder bundle and not being able to get a flame.

Welcome to the club!

A tinder bundle is the least of my worries, been making tinderbundles since I was a scout , literally decades ago. This time of year is a little tougher. Not many wispy growing things. I'll be shaving the back side of bark, most likely, to get some material.
I found a mouse nest while getting firewood from the stack, but, I will leave it alone, and make my own.

- - - -

Now it becomes a matter of statistics.

If I can get an ember in 1 out of 3 tries, and If I can blow it into a flame in 1 out of 3 tries, then, we are looking at a Total of 9 attempts to get fire.
Let's say that would take roughly an hour?? (not including gathering an building the bow & drill).

Total of 2 hours to build and produce fire?? It's in the realm of saving your life, it's plausible, in dry conditions, with proper type of wood.

 

[abo4ster]

That's why we carry the man made stuff! Primitive man even carried coals as he knew in some conditions it would be tough and would waste energy.

 

[SkunkWerX]

That's why we carry the man made stuff! Primitive man even carried coals as he knew in some conditions it would be tough and would waste energy.

And thus, the circular argument!
If I have man-made stuff, then why do I need a Bow n Drill?
Not my question, but, this is the way it normally goes.

Let me answer my own question.

Skills like Bow n Drill Firemaking would be more of a "sustainment" item, in my humble estimation.
If you did tip your canoe and all was lost , you would need, at minimum, a knife and some cordage to construct a Bow n drill (in enough time to warm yourself before nightfall).
OK, so, as luck would have it, you are prepared with a neck knife.
It is hung from your neck by cordage, (or has cordage wrapped around it, for those who don't like the strangluation scenario).

Now, we have met some of the conditions we CAN control by having a knife and cordage. Next are dealing with nature.
What types of wood are available?? Are they dry? What type of tinder?
Is it dry?

So, the next level is finding good dry wood, of the species necessary to give you a fighting chance.

Now, you set about fabricating your bow and drill. Hardwood spindle, softer hearthboard, your bow. Let's say a good hour has passed, you are getting close to having a workable Bow&Drill.
Oh yes, remember you are wet and cold.

Now, for tinder. More time checking around for tinder. No chances can be taken, this HAS to work, so you gather up as much as possible, and take the time necessary to make the best tinderbundle you can possibly muster.

get the picture? it's not impossible, and it's certainly better than giving up, that is no option.

But, I will submit this: If you are prepared enough to have that neck knife and cordage...why not a small fero-rod with it??

We all tend to pick and choose the scenarios and the equipment.
We always assume a knife.
In this canoe-tipping scenario we also assume cordage.

I think you can see where my logic is going. In a scenario like the lady stranded in Gila...... Let's say she had a BIC lighter and plenty of wood.
(She ran out of wood, actually). But, let's say we have a BIC and plenty of wood. We aren't planning on being out for 5 or 6 weeks, however, after Week 1 and no rescue, we say to ourselves, "Hey! I may be here a while!"

It is at this point that fabricating a Bow -N- Drill makes a lot of sense!
The bic is gonna run out of fuel, real soon, then what?

In my final analysis, just like Knives ,Axes and Saws.... there is a time and place for everything. While the Bow n Drill is certainly a skill , it is just another piece of knowledge that goes "in the bag o tricks".
It doesn't necessarily give you fire "at will" in all conditions, at all times.

In a survival situation, none of us can afford to be "One trick ponies".

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Now it becomes a matter of statistics.

If I can get an ember in 1 out of 3 tries, and If I can blow it into a flame in 1 out of 3 tries, then, we are looking at a Total of 9 attempts to get fire.
Let's say that would take roughly an hour?? (not including gathering an building the bow & drill).

Total of 2 hours to build and produce fire?? It's in the realm of saving your life, it's plausible, in dry conditions, with proper type of wood.

First, congratulations Skunk.........................

on step 1, and I'm not referring to the tinder bundle. What you have accomplished is very satisfying, however, consider that, the entry way to fire by friction. In your example about 1 success for every 9 tries, if that works for you, then so be it. But, if you want to increase that to 1 success for every (a little bit more than) 1 attempt, there are things you have to do.

First of all, stay with it. Practise, practise, practise. It gets infinitely more easy, the more you do. Try different types of wood combinations, different string materials, different tinders. Try damp materials - Dick Baugh wrote about an excellent technique for using damp materials and it works! Learn about coal extenders such as tinder fungus (Inonotus obliquus), false tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius) and punky wood. Find other natural objects to make life easier like a rough stone surface to clean up the drill and socket and remove the glaze. Try doing it in different conditions, in different locations, in other words, BECOME OBSESSED!!!!!!!!! (Am I ranting? )

Then, when you have done all this, do it without a knife. There are even techniques here that can help you. For example, if you need a flat surface, abrade part way through a dead branch then break it to get the flat surface.

It’s truly amazing the number and variety of techniques early people (and you) used (can use) when working with a piece of natural material.

And when you’ve done all that, carry a lighter, fire steel, Blast Force, magnifying glass, battery and steel wool, road flares, acetylene torch,………………………….. The foregoing was not to negate in any way, the desirability of becoming proficient at bow drill. Somebody once said, not a lot of people can make fire by friction, and those that can, would never be caught without other methods, as well.

Another thing you can do – if you’re having problems/difficulties in a particular area, post it. There may be ways around them, and someone here, may know what they are.

Oh, and don’t forget the Egyptian bow drill and hand drill………………….

Doc

 

[kr1]

Great job Skunkwerx. An ember to be proud of for sure.

KR

 

[SkunkWerX]

First, congratulations Skunk.........................

on step 1, and I'm not referring to the tinder bundle. What you have accomplished is very satisfying, however, consider that, the entry way to fire by friction. In your example about 1 success for every 9 tries, if that works for you, then so be it. But, if you want to increase that to 1 success for every (a little bit more than) 1 attempt, there are things you have to do.

First of all, stay with it. Practise, practise, practise. It gets infinitely more easy, the more you do. Try different types of wood combinations, different string materials, different tinders. Try damp materials - Dick Baugh wrote about an excellent technique for using damp materials and it works! Learn about coal extenders such as tinder fungus (Inonotus obliquus), false tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius) and punky wood. Find other natural objects to make life easier like a rough stone surface to clean up the drill and socket and remove the glaze. Try doing it in different conditions, in different locations, in other words, BECOME OBSESSED!!!!!!!!! (Am I ranting? )

Then, when you have done all this, do it without a knife. There are even techniques here that can help you. For example, if you need a flat surface, abrade part way through a dead branch then break it to get the flat surface.

It’s truly amazing the number and variety of techniques early people (and you) used (can use) when working with a piece of natural material.

And when you’ve done all that, carry a lighter, fire steel, Blast Force, magnifying glass, battery and steel wool, road flares, acetylene torch,………………………….. The foregoing was not to negate in any way, the desirability of becoming proficient at bow drill. Somebody once said, not a lot of people can make fire by friction, and those that can, would never be caught without other methods, as well.

Another thing you can do – if you’re having problems/difficulties in a particular area, post it. There may be ways around them, and someone here, may know what they are.

Oh, and don’t forget the Egyptian bow drill and hand drill………………….

Doc

Doc, thanks. I was speaking in PRESENT Tense.
Not "assuming" any better future performance, I just like to deal in the facts.

I do know what you mean about it becoming easier. It has already gotten easier given each attempt. If I were to try it this evening, I expect an ember on the first or second attempt, no less.

You almost ranted, but not quite. Try ranting again, practice practice practice!

I am a tool user, in the ancient sense and in the modern sense, I don't doubt I can't make a bow and drill using only wood and rocks, it just might take a little longer.

I think I am going to bypass the Eqyptian method, as I have my heart set on making a Pump drill. I like "modern" machinery.
I also want to make a stone "bit" for drilling holes in wood. being able to make a hole in wood is a really good skill to have for fabricating a lot of different items.

I'll be sure to post as things progress, Thanks to you, Codger, RescueMike, Mewolf, and everyone else for all the advice and encouragement!! :thumbup: