Sweet new steel and failed bow drill attempt

SpookyPistolero

SpookyPistolero

Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
6,105
Howdy folks-

I recently scored a sweet new (well, actually old) JK during a trade and got it in the mail today. Immediately had to take it out back and work some wood with it. It's got a Bill Siegle edge on it and it really shows, this thing cuts like the devil. Nice big grip, too. It batoned like a champ, and was a surprisingly good carver! I'm really quite in love with this blade, definitely a keeper. :thumbup: :thumbup:

100_0449.jpg


I saw all the freshly planed wood I had after splitting with it, and had to give the bow drill another attempt. This is probably my second or third try. Second or third failure, I mean! :D My leg is still asleep and my ears are ringing from the screeching, and all I've got to show for it is dust and smoke... ;)

Anyway, I was hoping that someone could help 'diagnose' my problem here by checking out the dust. I have no clue what types of wood was being used, but I can say that the drill was softer than the base.

100_0448.jpg


Oh, I also learned not to count on using jute for a bow drill, it just doesn't have the stamina and strength.
 
I think your notch needs to be a little bigger to let more of the dust down there to form your coal. Great looking knife!
 
I never made friction fire, but I agree with Darteres, the pics I have seen have a much bigger notch, all that dust on top should be spilling out the notch, and the dust itself becomes a sort of tinder for the coal.
Did you cut the notch underneath as well, a sort of cave like notch?
 
Thanks for the thoughts guys, the knife rocks. I think you are probably right, too, about needing a bigger notch. There was more powder that had developed in the fuzzy jute that was below the notch. Also, the notch does open up a little wider towards the bottom, like a triangle.

Gonna give it another go soon, with alterations...
 
That is amazing! That is the very first knife I ever sold, that`s the one that won you my contest a while back. That one does not even have my K stamp on it. It`s also the only one I have done with the index finger groove, Bill sent me a picture, I made it from that.

John
 
Last edited:
John, I really, really like this thing. It's sick! Very solid and feels great in the hand, and a good balance of being small enough to carve with and large enough to baton/chop. This edge is just nasty...

But... second verse same as the first: I widened my notch by about 50% and still couldn't get a good coal. But at this point it may be that I'm just getting tired. :mad: There was no real change in the color/consistency of my dust. I'll be giving it a whirl another day.
 
Cool Knife.

The wood definately makes a difference in success and failure. Get yourself some white cedar and use it as both the drill and board.

If your drill is harder than your board, you're just going to drill right through it before you build enough heat to form a coal.

The notch does look to small. The powder should be darker, try pressing harder on the drill. Start off slow and build speed as you go. Save the real fast pumps for the end.


By the way, Great effort bro!!!
 
Nice lookin JK!!!!!!! Ilike the design, nd the index groove. Wicked lookin edge too!

Aw, keep at it bro, you will get it!
 
Thanks a lot guys! This is something that I WILL get down! Just not tonight. :D

I can definitely say that I expect this knife to accompany me veeery often. :thumbup:
 
Excellent blade,I like it... I am in the process on building and learning how to operate a fire bow drill set up. what a learning curve,but yes the gap looks to be to small to me as well but I am a newbie at the bow drill method...
 
Your dust isn't all that brown - it looks dark enough - maybe a little more speed - the notch is very important - you are loosing alot of your heated embers out the sides.

What kind of wood are you using - also - try 550 cord and make your spindle octagonal.

TF
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top