Friction Fire Woods in Midwest

E

engle's-wilder

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Nov 18, 2010
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I live in the Midwest (I'm a cheese-head to be more specific), and I love bushcrafting in up near the UP, but friction fires with the woods that I've tried around me are generally a lot of work to start (a lot more than I really think it should). In my garage at home I can make fire with plough, bow-drill and hand-drills, but when I go out, the effort needed to make me an ember is considerably more (probably something to do with the moisture). I think maybe using more effective woods would probably reduce this. I know not to use pinewood or oak, but what are some really good woods that I should try? I've heard cherry and maple are decent; should I give those a whirl? Or are there better woods in my area? What would be the hands-down best friction fire woods for my area?

thanks guys!:D
 
Sounds like you have really played with a wide variety of friction fire methods and you've realized better success in than I have in exploring some of the non-bowdrill methods. Kudos.

I concur with VA27, that any species of popular (basswood, cotton wood, aspen) is great. I also like weeping willow and balsam fir as 'goto woods'. Other species I've used include cedar, juniper, sumac, sassifras, horse chestnut, root of mountain ash.

I did produce a couple of youtube videos on what I look for when sampling wood for bowdrill. Perhaps these would be of interest to you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nPq6n1QX2E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiJ6Ufk8Qs4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-72OQLea0ys

Note these were some of my first videos, so I apologize for the quality of them, but they still seem to be somewhat unique to the topic area raised by the OP.
 
As mentioned already, basswood, cottonwood, but also eastern cedar, mullen, sunflower stalk, hell even corn cobs will work. It's all about trying them out and seeing what YOU can get to work.
 
skab8541 said:
As mentioned already, basswood, cottonwood, but also eastern cedar, mullen, sunflower stalk, hell even corn cobs will work. It's all about trying them out and seeing what YOU can get to work.
Click to expand...

I totally agree! I just wanted some more 'highly ranked' options to memorize for the next time I go out. You can never know too much! And my rational behind wanting some more options to work with is: if I were in a scenario where I'm out in the wild and lost or broke my gear and had to rely on these skills and my knowledge alone, that I could pull through and endure. I'm all for bringing a firesteel, be hey, let's face it... crap happens and when it does, you'd better be prepared!

thanks guys, I'll have to try some more of these out!!!
 
Cottonwood, Basswood, Mullien stalks, Willow.......

I always do the thumbnail test. Charicteristics will let you know if its good wood. Then give em a whirl.
 
I have had success with cedar trees that are very dead but still standing (they stay quite dry in that configuration). If you can find one that is really dry...it should work.
 
I'm re-reading Mors Kochansky's Bushcraft. I would think it's would be a passable reference for the UP, though the plantlife may vary a bit as he's centered in Alberta.

He recommends balsam fir, willow and aspen.
 
No fir or aspen here, but I've used catalpa, bois d'arc sapwood and mulberry. I started out with willow but I think cottonwood has it beat hands down.
 
j williams said:
Cottonwood, Basswood, Mullien stalks, Willow.......

I always do the thumbnail test. Characteristics will let you know if its good wood. Then give em a whirl.
Click to expand...


What is the Thumbnail test?
just looking for a soft wood with your nail?
 
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