Bow-Drill Fire Attempt

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c10darren

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Nov 30, 2011
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196

Untitled by c10darren, on Flickr

Hey all.

First time posting in this sub-forum, I think. Normally over in the Becker Forum, but I have a question for ya'll.
I have been trying to teach myself some basic bushcraft/survival skills. The first of which is fire-making. Today was my second attempt at starting a fire with a bow-drill and the first time I was able to get any smoke or powder or even get the drill to spin.

My biggest problem is that the hand piece holder thing is wearing down the spindle point such that I can't hold the drill in place. Every time I stop drilling I have to take out my knife and re-sharpen the spindle. Is that normal? I don't think it is. I know my spindle is oak because I collected the wood myself (either post or blackjack, I dont remember). I am pretty sure the hand-piece is also some sort of oak, but not from the same tree as the spindle (it came from a log in the wood pile). The fire board is also a random piece of wood from the pile... don't think its oak, but I could be wrong.

I also noticed that after burning the initial hole in the board and then cutting the notch, the hole in the fir board seemed to move closer to the edge. Sorry the picture sucks, but you can kinda see how there are two different burnt circles. I think that might have been because I cut the notch in too far or maybe I just have bad aim.

I was never able to get a coal. Just lots of fuzzy black dust. I kept the drill going as long as I could, but the point of the spindle kept wearing down and I would lose it.

Any tips from more experienced guys out there?

The only tools I used were my Bk-2, some black 550 cord, and I think my Vic Fieldmaster helped a little too.
 
Hey c10darren,

I wouldn't suggest Oak as a first time attempt choice. It's too hard.

Awhile ago, I posted a tutorial on bow drill. Maybe it can help you.

Doc
 
So far as I can find after a major effort, a single publication by the Boy Scouts is the only place or person suggesting oak.

Do you have willow or cottonwood in your area?

If you are being "primitive," ear wax or green foliage also works to lubricate, as Doc suggests in his article. Just starting out, I'd use candle wax. Minimizing equipment issues lets you focus on developing a good touch and rhythm.
 
For a first attempt I suggest that you cheat a bit. I can't post a link (youtube blocked on work computer) but search youtube for "BowDrill101" for a series of vids posted by tjwiltube. He shows good technique using cedar from Lowes/Home Depot, a shot glass for the bearing block, jute for tinder, etc. It will help you get the feel for it, then you can branch out into natural materials.
 
Go with Remo1's suggestion - this will remove friction losses at the top end. Also find a softer wood for your baseboard. The composition of the baseboard makes a huge difference to ease of getting a coal. Popular trees (basswood, aspens, cottonwoods etc) make good material as does balsam fir. Learn using the best materials first and then begin foraging for more appropriate woods as you become more skilled.

BTW - I actually like using an oak or ash spindle because it doesn't wear down so fast when combined with a soft hearth. Many people prefer making the spindle and hearth of the same materials. I typically have success when the spindle is made of either the same or harder wood than the hearth.

A long time ago I put together a video series on youtube about how to forage for appropriate wood to use. Here is the first of the 3 part series.

[youtube]6nPq6n1QX2E[/youtube]
 
kgd - Nice videos! Tree identification is not one of my strong suits, especially when there are no leaves. Thanks for posting.
 
c10darren said:
Hey all.

First time posting in this sub-forum, I think. Normally over in the Becker Forum, but I have a question for ya'll.
I have been trying to teach myself some basic bushcraft/survival skills. The first of which is fire-making. Today was my second attempt at starting a fire with a bow-drill and the first time I was able to get any smoke or powder or even get the drill to spin.

My biggest problem is that the hand piece holder thing is wearing down the spindle point such that I can't hold the drill in place. Every time I stop drilling I have to take out my knife and re-sharpen the spindle. Is that normal? I don't think it is. I know my spindle is oak because I collected the wood myself (either post or blackjack, I dont remember). I am pretty sure the hand-piece is also some sort of oak, but not from the same tree as the spindle (it came from a log in the wood pile). The fire board is also a random piece of wood from the pile... don't think its oak, but I could be wrong.

I also noticed that after burning the initial hole in the board and then cutting the notch, the hole in the fir board seemed to move closer to the edge. Sorry the picture sucks, but you can kinda see how there are two different burnt circles. I think that might have been because I cut the notch in too far or maybe I just have bad aim.

I was never able to get a coal. Just lots of fuzzy black dust. I kept the drill going as long as I could, but the point of the spindle kept wearing down and I would lose it.

Any tips from more experienced guys out there?

The only tools I used were my Bk-2, some black 550 cord, and I think my Vic Fieldmaster helped a little too.
Click to expand...

I don't tend to use oak for friction fire, I know my instructors have had successes with it but I don't like trying to use it. The wood is hard and glosses over reducing the amount of friction. Oak makes a decent bearing block (the spindle holder thingy) because of this but I do not like it for spindles or hearths unless it's damned near spalted. Poplar is about as hard a wood as I like to use and it actually works pretty well.

As for the hole moving, when you are drilling aim your bow so that your pushing and pulling motions are not in line with your notch. Pushing or pulling in-line with the notch causes the socket to wallow out. Unless I am using a two-stick hearth board I angle myself and my bow so that my push-pull motion is as in line with the hearth board as I can get it. This way the pressure of pushing and pulling is against a solid wall of the socket rather than against the weaker area of the notch. Also, and everyone is different with this, I prefer to use a longer spindle, I find short spindles uncomfortable to use.
 
Remo1 said:
kgd - Nice videos! Tree identification is not one of my strong suits, especially when there are no leaves. Thanks for posting.
Click to expand...

As a "rule of thumb," if you can't dent it with your thumbnail, it's too hard. Any wood with resin (e.g. White Pine; Scots Pine) is also difficult.

mistwalker, any links to anyone getting fire with oak spindle or hearth? I would like to see that. I tried a drill-press and didn't get smoke using three different oaks (Pin; Chestnut; English).
 
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