OT Friction fires basics - I need training

MajorD

MajorD

Joined
Mar 18, 2007
Messages
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I know we have some experts around here in primitive fire starting. Admittedly I have never done it successfully. :o I am talking primarily about hand drills. There is a lot of info on you tube etc ... but I thought I would turn to my Fiddleback brethren for some basic tips for success. I have only tried it briefly on a couple of occasions without any real knowledge at the time. Needless to say my efforts were futile.

I'm also interested in other basic methods if you are interested to share such as flint and steel, etc... I'm not referring to ferro rods. :)

Thanks!!

Dave
 
In my experience hand drills can be difficult. Having the right material, good form and good conditions makes all the difference in the world. When I was trying to learn hand drill about 18 years ago, I was using a piece of willow on cottonwood. My friends and I tried together for days with no success. Then someone told us to try mule fat which is a baccaris and we got a coal right away. Basically anything with a pithy center like elderberry, a flowering stalk like mullein or even cattail can work. You have to find a good one that is not too thick or two thin on the outer wall. It is also a lot easier to get a coal on a hot day in the sun then when the sun is going down and the air is getting more moisture in it. I still struggle with it today unless I have an epic set. I like to use something soft for the baseboard. California buckeye is what I usually use but I am sure there are a lot of good options where you are. Even with a good set though I often get blisters and for that reason and because it can be fickle until mastered, I prefer the bow drill. The other tip for hand drill that I was taught was to just work on your form for a month or so before trying too hard to get a coal. Make sure both hands are working evenly. I think in general you have to do it a lot. I know a lot of folks and who get a coal a few times and think they have it down. Even though I have made a lot of fires by friction, I still struggle and fail sometimes. Then I reevaluate, get some different material and try again until I get one.

Good luck!

Tod

By the way, I once led a class on friction fire that my dad came to. It was the middle of a hot day and I gave him a really good hand drill set. He tried and got a coal in under a minute on his first try. He said, "wow, that is a lot easier than I would have expected." I was thinking about how long I struggled to get my first coal and just shook my head. Lol.
 
Great information Tod. I actually had you in mind when I started this thread. :) I remember a picture or two a while back of your sets but I haven't been able to find it since.

I misspoke regarding the hand drill. I should have mentioned a bow drill as well.

I have always admired the art of primitive fire making. I have a few trips coming up in the next few months and I am hoping to try out some of the advice I receive here.
 
I'm not much of a hand drill guy so I can't really help there. Tod's given some great advice. Also check out this guy's channel on youtube if you haven't already: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbYzVjyodlPTdPdvx5EPGpw I got to hang out with him at a meet and it was pretty cool seeing him test out a bunch of combinations.

If you're wanting an easy way to get started with a bow drill there's a guy on another forum I frequent that sells bow drill sets that can help you get the technique down without having to worry about finding the right materials. Then once you know your technique is good you can start testing with locally sourced materials. Let me know if you want his info.

Flint and steel is fun. For last year's multi-family camping trip I gave all the kids a flint and steel kit with a striker, flint, char cloth and jute twine. We had a fire starting class where they each learned how to get the char cloth to catch and get the jute ablaze. Then we made some more char cloth in the camp fire. Also tested multiple firestarter materials like dryer lint, PJCB (petrolium jelly cotton balls), cardboard and wax candles with a firesteel. We're heading out tomorrow on this year's trip and will be doing some more practice with the kids.
 
I knew I would find my answers here. Thanks Nathan, between you and Tod I already have some of the info I was looking for. I would definitely like to get the information of the gentleman that sells the drill sets. I was thinking that exact thing. It would be great to buy something and cheat a little early on until I gain the knowledge and skills to start experimenting. I'll be sure to check out the Youtube link tonight.

I actually have made char cloth quite a few times. I use it often but with a ferro rod. That's much not different than having matches. ;) I need to pick up a flint and steel kit and do the same thing as the bow/hand drills regarding my skill set before branching out.

It's too bad I'm not in your area. I'd sit in with the kid's class! :D
 
This thread has paid huge dividends. Thanks for all of the input and links! I have a lot of reading to do this weekend.
 
Good luck building a friction fire. I've practiced many a time, got a coal once or twice, but never could get it to start a fire. A friend of mine used to work at a field camp for troubled youth. He's really good at starting fires using the bow drill method. He's also practicing and learning to use a hand drill to start fires. We gathered lots of Mullien stalks for practice the other weekend.

I do know that the right combination of woods helps a lot and so does Practice, Practice, Practice! Which I need to lots more of. I should probably spend some time readying this thread and following it's recommendations. :) Thanks for starting!
 
I've nothing to add as I'm a novice too. I've been successful 3-4 times with a bow drill, but only at my home--never in the "wild." I was already planning on practicing a bunch his summer, but with this thread I've got some new ideas and techniques to give a go. Thanks a million to all who have shared their wisdom and experiences!!


Michael
 
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