Bow drill cordage... a fun one!

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
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I always wear around the house hiking shorts that have WAY too many draw strings. They are around my waist - around each leg - and the flop around a lot.

I got to thinking about these today. What uses could they have. I robbed the draw string from the waist of an older set of shorts. I decided to make a fire bow out of it.

CottonFireBowString003.jpg


I wear about 36 inch waist so the string was about 50 inches long. I tried to simply tie it on the bow and go - but with the flats and the stretch of the cotton - I got a lot of slip. I decided to simply twist the cordage and put it on the bow:

CottonFireBowString005.jpg


I had a coal in a matter of minutes. This worked well - and I made three other coals today with this bow will little wear on the cordage. I think you could certainly rely on this as a way to have cordage and a means of fire on you at all times.

CottonFireBowString004.jpg


So - it IS true - I do have fire in my pants!

TF
 
nice to see you've found a way to recycle the old drawers :thumbup:

(lots of vodka ' hiccup' in the system right now)
 
I think you could tear the bottom off your t-shirt and do the same. I am going to experiment with some other things I can use as cordage that I have on me.

TF
 
I guess you don't need a drawstring when the waistband on your shorts is already stretched out to the max........ good way to put it it use..... lol

Have you tried jute yet? More difficult than you think.... its the best way to start on natural means of cordage.... and really shows how to change your technique to get long life out of a cord that takes some time to prepare. It gives you an idea as to how hard it was back when folks didn't have shoelaces... or fatguy pants.
 
Rick,

Actually I use my belt to hold my pants up - the draw string is unnecessary. Although if I think I may see some hot chicks that day - I usually double up the resistance in case of a change in blood flow. I wouldn't want to rip my pants off.

Who am I kidding - I am hung like a pimple.

Anyway - I would LOVE for you to do a couple of photo's on how to change my technique for natural cordage. I have not tried this yet - but I don't want to reinvent the wheel trying to figure it out if I can do some research.

I guess what I am asking is for you to do something worthwhile with your life and help me - a person that is actually making a difference in the world.

TF
 
..... hangs head in shame....

I WANT to make a difference, damn it!!!

Don't put yourself down too much there TF..... a pimple?.... no..... a button on a fur coat?.... maybe....... or a mouse peeping over a haystack, at least.




I'll try and get some pics.... and maybe a vid of the natural cordage firebow...
 
A video would be awesome dude. I will pick up some jute today - I need to run to the hardware store today anyway.

Also - I prefer to think of the vermin as more rat-like when he is peeping...


TF
 
Talfuchre said:
I think you could tear the bottom off your t-shirt and do the same. I am going to experiment with some other things I can use as cordage that I have on me.

TF
Click to expand...

You are not the only one with fire in your pants -

Denimcordage1-IMGP0116.jpg


Cordage made from unravelling a piece of denim jeans. Successfully worked as a string for fire bow, as well as the one below (made from unravelling an old web belt:

Webbeltcordage1-IMGP0112.jpg


And Rick, I found that jute is a bit more difficult than other natural cordage. I think there is something used in the processing of jute that gives it a bit of a slippery quality.

Doc
 
YIKES! Let's table all thought of posting videos until you guys are done with your "endowment" discussion!

The one time I actually got fire from a firebow it was with jute cord. I think my wood selection was poor, though. It took forever and by then the string was about worn out. (So was I.)

-- FLIX
 
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