Ray Mears makes the bow drill look easy.

[Diomedes Industries]

Check this video out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6iSzI8vYl4&feature=rec-HM-r2

See how he has NO wobble on his spindle. - First time big FAT ember.... MAN he makes that look easy.

I think part of his ease is the largeness of spindle (in terms of length and width).

TF

 

[RescueRiley]

Its no the size of the spindle ..it's the friction of the bearing block....or at least that's what my wife keeps telling me...

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Its no the size of the spindle ..it's the friction of the bearing block....or at least that's what my wife keeps telling me...

I lol'd! Thanks.

TF

 

[Pyre]

Im guessing the key is the size of the notch Ray cut out and the fact that he took the time to carve everything straight and smooth. straighter/smoother = less resistance, more efficient bowdrill??

Compare that to Les Strouds 9 hour ordeal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPf_U48JA68

 

[chopchop]

He was also using dead wood in a hot, dry environment... and a ridiculous amount of skill!

 

[1234]

He batons flint in this one !

[youtube]vPk28DiIWPU[/youtube]


1234,,,,,,,,,

 

[batosai117]

Wow, that was too fast I'll have to work on that tomorrow now

I felt bad for Les though, I would have gone nuts after an hour of no results

That's why my LMF is part of my EDC, if it took Les 11 hours, it would take me 'til starvation to get a fire going.

 

[fujita yuji]

Check this video out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6iSzI8vYl4&feature=rec-HM-r2

See how he has NO wobble on his spindle. - First time big FAT ember.... MAN he makes that look easy.

Amazing speed indeed!
BTW, what is the folding knife Ray's using in this video?

 

[Ankar Sheng]

falkniven tk3? Just caught a glimpse, probably wrong.

 

[jca21]

its a tk4 and what appears to be a cold steel bolo machete

 

[fujita yuji]

Thanks.
Never looked closely at Fallkniven folders.
Looks like a great knife with symmetrical nail nicks.

 

[zhangmaster12]

yup a fallkniven. I want one!

 

[charadeur]

For me it is 70% wood choice and 30% technique. Some woods will nearly burst into flames at a few strokes. The big technique trick is the amount of pressure on the block. Too much or too little and you will never get an ember.

 

[warrigal]

It looks easy because it's Ray.
That simple.
He has been doing this stuff since he was a kid and is now lucky enough ( and worked hard enough to get there) to be in a position where "We" will pay him for a few hours or a weekend of his time doing what we're writting and reading about now. Half his luck.
Carl

 

[cybrok]

I took a survival class, then you have an instructor to point you what you're doing wrong. Helped me a LOT.

 

[Joben]

Its no the size of the spindle ..it's the friction of the bearing block....or at least that's what my wife keeps telling me...

Ray says to put a leaf in the bearing block for lubricant.

Bet your wife has never said THAT.