Bow Drill - Fire Board - Notch

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
7,438
Like Doc Canada predicted - I am getting very spotty results when practicing with my bow drill.

I am getting a LOT of smoke - a lot of dust - but nothing that stays together and has a coal.

I am beginning to wonder if I am cutting my notch in my fire board correctly.

This is a screen capture off youtube from a documentary.

FireBoardNotch.jpg


What do you think about this notch?

I am getting a lot of dust around the rim of my fire board hole - I am not sure if this is right. Mine seems less deep and less wide.

Any help would be appreciated.

TF
 
Here's a closeup of one that was passed around at the CT Wilderness Gathering.
Hope this helps:

DSC_2244.jpg
 
What type of wood is the fire board, and what type is the drill? I don't know if I missed that in your other post, but it could help.
 
I got it Doc - YOU HAVE MAIL!

I used cedar because it was recommended by Tom Brown in his "Guide to Wilderness Survival". Now I reread the section - he says he recommends this wood - because it is VERY hard to start a fire with and forced your form to be "just right".

Sheesh - thanks Tom.

Well - I see what is going on - If I can start a fire with this - I can start a fire with damned near anything!

Sheesh!

I live in Texas - what would should I be able to find locally (Houston) that is good?
TF
 
I see (again from Tom Brown) that Cottonwood, Willow, Aspen, tamarack, sassafras, sycamore, poplar are best. I need to go on a hike!

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
I got it Doc - YOU HAVE MAIL!

I used cedar because it was recommended by Tom Brown in his "Guide to Wilderness Survival". Now I reread the section - he says he recommends this wood - because it is VERY hard to start a fire with and forced your form to be "just right".

Sheesh - thanks Tom.

Well - I see what is going on - If I can start a fire with this - I can start a fire with damned near anything!

Sheesh!

I live in Texas - what would should I be able to find locally (Houston) that is good?
TF
Click to expand...

Did you send it by USPS? because I still haven't got it. :o

I really disagree with Tom Brown about this. I think it's more important to use optimal materials first to improve your chances of success and once you do, you'll know that you can do it too. From that point on, you can experiment to your heart's content. Until you get that first coal, it's really easy to give up.

I'm sorry but I don't know what woods grow in Texas, but as theonew says Poplar is a pretty good choice.

Doc

Must have posted at the same time. Also, my experience with Tamarack was very negative. Up here, the best woods are American Basswood (Tilia americana) and the Poplars (Populus spp.). And it sounds like I just received your email.

Doc
 
My e-mail must have gotten caught up in customs. :P

I tend to agree with you - I am going to get some different wood and get back to work. I will wager that it will be much easier when I do!

TF
 
K.Estella gave me some great pointers on trouble shooting your wood and technique by the color and quality of the dust you get...I was paying attention and really thought I would remember....should have wrote it down....studying for finals has pushed all other knowledge from my brain.
 
Well - it certainly had something to do with the wood. I got the best coal I ever have today after switching to Spruce - on my first try.

I am a DANGER to drier lint!

;)

TF
 
Anyone interested in a PowerPoint I put together about the bow drill? If so, E-mail me and I'll send it your way. My address is kevinestela at hotmail.com
 
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