Friction Fire Tips?

FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
Dealer / Materials Provider
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
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Hey guys. I've been trying my best to build a bow drill fire and just can't seem to quite build a coal. I'm using dry maple for my spindle and hearthboard, and keep on managing to get smoke but either I get tired before things heat up enough or I end up sending the spindle flying out of the bow. Do I just need to keep trying? I've watched a bunch of videos and I'm surprised at how fast some of you folks are able to get a coal going...what's your secret?
 
Maple is too hard. Try with white cedar or basswood first.

I am making a 6 part series where I will explain every component and theory.

Do you want the parts I have done?

TF
 
Unfortunately I don't have either in my immediate vicinity. Would pine work? White birch?
 
Too soft.

I can send you a white cedar board and spindle.

If interested email me.
 
I have gotten a coal with poplar, if that grows in Maine. I have been told a rule of thumb is that any wood that dents with your thumbnail is a likely place to start, as long is it isn't a real pitchy wood, like pine. Chris
 
Poplar works quite well. The finger nail test is what I was taught as well. I never tried pine, but I was told it wouldn't work. I have gotten coals with White Cedar, Basswood, and Poplar. White cedar worked the fastest for me.
 
I should be able to get poplar. It grows everywhere here.

tonym: Thanks for the offer! I might try a little longer with area-available wood first before taking you up on the offer, though. If I give up you can expect a rather dejected message from me. :D

Talfuchre: I'd love to see what you've got! I'm really trying to bulk up my outdoor skills right now.
 
Also try willow (not weeping) and sassafras if you can find them. I've gotten coals with Norway maple also.
 
Never thought about sassafras, we have tons of the stuff around here, I'll have to give it a try. Chris
 
I have neither of those. The trees here are all mostly poplar, pine (white and red), spruce (blue) maple (rock, sugar, and striped), oak (red), cedar (red), birch (mostly white, sometimes yellow) and sometimes beech. I sometimes stumble across other species, but not often at all.
 
Go to Home Depot - get some white cedar, or some poplar, or some pine that is dry and free of pitch.

Cut your components for practice. I will put out a thread when I am done with my 6 part series - It will be soon.

TF
 
Demonomaniac138 said:
i thought you are supposed to use local resources?
Click to expand...

That's what I'm shooting for. If I'm gonna' learn this I figure I should practice it in a way that will be useful in an actual situation. I have several ferro rods and PJCs in my kit, along with a few other fire starting tools. I'd just like to know that I can still start a fire even if I get stranded without gear.
 
Demonomaniac138 said:
i thought you are supposed to use local resources?
Click to expand...

The way I see it is; If you never started a bowdrill fire, it is a good idea to get materials from what ever source that is proven to work.

If I send 42blades a hearth board and spindle, he will see exactly where I made the divet, how I made the notch, and how I shaped the spindle.

There is plenty of room on the board for him to burn in other divots.

Once he starts using it and gets a coal, he can keep practicing to get his technique down. Then he can move on to locating and gathering proper wood to make his own.

I was lucky enough to have proper hands on instruction, and with out that it would have made getting my first coal very difficult. I also took a few etra pieces of White Cedar when Kev and Marty weren't looking;) J/K, Bob said it was ok, besides doesn't that stuff grow on trees:D
 
tonym said:
The way I see it is; If you never started a bowdrill fire, it is a good idea to get materials from what ever source that is proven to work.

If I send 42blades a hearth board and spindle, he will see exactly where I made the divet, how I made the notch, and how I shaped the spindle.

There is plenty of room on the board for him to burn in other divots.

Once he starts using it and gets a coal, he can keep practicing to get his technique down. Then he can move on to locating and gathering proper wood to make his own.

I was lucky enough to have proper hands on instruction, and with out that it would have made getting my first coal very difficult. I also took a few etra pieces of White Cedar when Kev and Marty weren't looking;) J/K, Bob said it was ok, besides doesn't that stuff grow on trees:D
Click to expand...

Ah that makes sense. In that case I might just as well take you up on your very generous offer, if it's still available. :D

How well does white birch work, by the way?
 
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