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Here is a great example of why to practice your skills...

I have yet to make a bow drill fire. I tried for I don't know how long with no success. I got lots of smoke, but could not get a coal. I have to give it another try.
 
Exactly, TF!!

Mother nature will kick your ass.... sometimes just to add insult to injury.

You can light a million bowdrill fires..... but that one time....



Les is very skilled... we have the same mentor... he knows his stuff. Being in that situation is very different than watching it.

He may have done that to prove a point.... but IMO... he made the mistake of not having options. 9hrs of the same kit was insane!! You need to increase your options. There are many variations for the bowdrill method... he used one.... and it cost him a whole day! He should have ditch that kit long before. Experience would tell you when something isn't working.... don't tough it out... attack from a different angle.

But as I said.... that may have been his intention. (to stick it out)

Good post TF....

Rick
 
This is a great example of the difference between practicing skills in a controlled environment and putting skills into practice in the bush.

A question for those who live in the Northern hemisphere. I've looked at this video and what strikes me as odd is the lack of movement of the shadow he is casting as the hours tick by. Seems to me his shadow should be in a different position after many hours :confused:

Any comments on this?



Kind regards
Mick
 
I have yet to make fire by friction...it's on the list. Need to perfect firesteel use first...

Good reminder indeed. :thumbup:
 
Rick,

I thought the same thing. Why did he keep that kit? I would wager something was too hard - or frankly not smooth enough.

However, have I spent 8 days in the Aboreal forest with little kit...? NO.

Practice.... practice... practice...

TF
 
He's in the Wabakimi area... 3-4 hours North of Thunder Bay. (approx. N50)

Rick
 
:eek: Eleven hours! My blood sugar would have plummeted so low that Id be incapable of continuing. Ill have to attempt it , an hour will be about my limit.
 
rksoon said:
I have yet to make fire by friction...it's on the list. Need to perfect firesteel use first...

Good reminder indeed. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Rksoon - you're in California, so is T - you guys should hook up. T should be able to get you started on it, he frequently teaches the technique to his college students. From what he describes, he is far more successful teaching his students than I am. I'm sure you'll pick it up right away!
 
Thanks for the link T...I just watched it now. It looks like in his successful attempt he ditched the wood for his first drill and hearth. I have to agree that I would be switching up a lot quicker. I don't think I'd have the stamina to do bowdrill all day. I've got about 3 or 4 attempts in me of good bowing technique and then it gets pretty crappy - frustration, exhaustion etc. I can see how you can get stuck.

That would have been hugely difficult to start the divot on a rounded piece of a hearth like he started with. It was a good video.
 
Recently, someone posted the contents of their kit and someone asked why they had so many ways of making fire. :)
 
Esav,

I know - right?

I carry a lighter, firesteel and magnesium, fatwood, fresnel lens, and a little cordage for a bow drill... not to mention the matches AND lighter! ;)

TF
 
Fire kit: windproof matches, mini-bic, army firesteel + striker, fresnel lens, flint striker, small tin of PJBC, small tin of char cloth, stick of fatwood, 1/4 of coglan firestick, little bundle of jute twine. <-- fits in a cell phone case tied to my pack.

On my neck knife - little Doan stick (comes with Izula kit) fitted on ranger band with a wad of PJCB beneath band and sheath on the other side.

Cool things I've seen and want - Brian Andrews had one of the Zippo gas refill canisters. A solid alumunium capsule with o-ring and then an outer cap to ensure leak proofness that holds about 1/3 oz of lighter fluid. Fits on your keychain.

Personally, I think my firekit is overkill. On the other hand, screwing with fire is about one of my favorite things to do. Sort of like telling a fisherman that it is silly to bring so many lures along when you only need one hook to catch a fish :D
 
kgd said:
Rksoon - you're in California, so is T - you guys should hook up. T should be able to get you started on it, he frequently teaches the technique to his college students. From what he describes, he is far more successful teaching his students than I am. I'm sure you'll pick it up right away!
Click to expand...

I'll send TF a PM once my weekends free up here (if that's ok with you TF?) :thumbup:. It would be excellent to learn it hands-on and in person!
 
Thanks for that link. It is very true to practice every technique and test all equipment way before you have to depend on it, especially the bow drill. It is interesting to know he made a a couple of specials in 2001 before his current show. Definitely one of my favorite shows in TV, though I rarely watch that show or any TV for that matter.
 
Wow, he sounds so much different compared to his Survivor Man shows. Almost like LeVar Burton from Reading Rainbow.
 
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