- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Messages
- 2,101
Todays forecast called for temperatures in the high 30s with 15 mph sustained winds and gusts over 30mph. The sun was strong and there wasnt a cloud in the sky. Could you ask for a better day to practice primitive skills in your backyard? Yes, but you cant always get what you ask for.
I grabbed my mini-pack basket that serves as my primitive pack (made by Mick Jarvis of Chateaugay, NY) and headed to the local park. To demonstrate the size of this pack, attached to the top strap is my Gransfors Bruks Mini-Hatchet. It is about daypack size and perfect for my bow drill kit, flint and steel kit, crooked knife and a few other tools for primitive and traditional skills practice.
Having the knowledge of how to construct a bow drill set, I wanted to focus my effort on getting a coal or two in the windy setting. In a perfect world, the weather will cooperate and wind wont pose any problem to this delicate and sensitive skill. However, skills must be practiced in every setting and regular practice must be done to stay competent and proficient. I told myself earlier this week at work I had to get out and rain, sleet, wind or shine, I was going to today.
Using a bow of ash, a socket of ironwood, a coal catcher of birch bark and a spindle and fireboard set from white cedar, I was able to get two coals pretty quickly. I found the added wind helped feed oxygen to the wood dust and the coal formed rather easily. Positioning myself into the wind, the coal was protected by the offside of the notch and the wind wrapped itself around the fireboard and gently nursed the dust to a coal.
In the process of taking these photos, a strong gust of wind blew the top of my coal off the coal catcher and all I was left with was a smaller mound of smoldering wood dust. Had I attempted to transfer this coal, I would have held it much closer to my cupped hands and I wouldnt have moved the coal all that far to provide it the maximum amount of protection.
The bow drill is a skill that inspires confidence. It assures the woodsman of the ability to create fire with only a knife, a small length of cordage and skill. Should a person be without matches, a lighter or firesteel, the bow drill is a way to turn natures resources into a source of warmth, comfort and safety. However, the bow drill should not be considered the do all end all means of fire. Having studied this skill over the years, there are times it is not 100% effective and a coal cannot be created. With the lightweight, compact and inexpensive fire steel alternative, a person would be foolish to venture into the woods unprepared.
I grabbed my mini-pack basket that serves as my primitive pack (made by Mick Jarvis of Chateaugay, NY) and headed to the local park. To demonstrate the size of this pack, attached to the top strap is my Gransfors Bruks Mini-Hatchet. It is about daypack size and perfect for my bow drill kit, flint and steel kit, crooked knife and a few other tools for primitive and traditional skills practice.
Having the knowledge of how to construct a bow drill set, I wanted to focus my effort on getting a coal or two in the windy setting. In a perfect world, the weather will cooperate and wind wont pose any problem to this delicate and sensitive skill. However, skills must be practiced in every setting and regular practice must be done to stay competent and proficient. I told myself earlier this week at work I had to get out and rain, sleet, wind or shine, I was going to today.
Using a bow of ash, a socket of ironwood, a coal catcher of birch bark and a spindle and fireboard set from white cedar, I was able to get two coals pretty quickly. I found the added wind helped feed oxygen to the wood dust and the coal formed rather easily. Positioning myself into the wind, the coal was protected by the offside of the notch and the wind wrapped itself around the fireboard and gently nursed the dust to a coal.
In the process of taking these photos, a strong gust of wind blew the top of my coal off the coal catcher and all I was left with was a smaller mound of smoldering wood dust. Had I attempted to transfer this coal, I would have held it much closer to my cupped hands and I wouldnt have moved the coal all that far to provide it the maximum amount of protection.
The bow drill is a skill that inspires confidence. It assures the woodsman of the ability to create fire with only a knife, a small length of cordage and skill. Should a person be without matches, a lighter or firesteel, the bow drill is a way to turn natures resources into a source of warmth, comfort and safety. However, the bow drill should not be considered the do all end all means of fire. Having studied this skill over the years, there are times it is not 100% effective and a coal cannot be created. With the lightweight, compact and inexpensive fire steel alternative, a person would be foolish to venture into the woods unprepared.
). I have to stay on my toes...can't fail, you know; especially with a bunch of people watching. 
With that white cedar though, I'm good to go. 