Sycamore, Hoof fungus and Mullein oh my! Bowdrill and Firesteel practice.

Woods Walker · Sep 2, 2014

I am just practicing on road previously traveled, something new unless I have forgotten and a failure. Waited till dusk because of the heat and humidity. Must have been over 90 F today. A near miss by a storm dropped the temps but still the air was heavy.

First the failure: Sycamore on Hoof fungus. I wanted to try this again. It really was looking good. Tons of smoke with nice dust but failed to get a coal.

With that out of the way lets move on to success. I believe unless mistaken that Mullein on a Sycamore fireboard is a first for me.

Making the Sycamore board:

Burn in: Given the blunt end of the mullein I used a shot glass wrapped in duct tape for a bearing block. Overall one of the more effective bearing blocks IMHO.

Going to rate this as the easiest coal using a wood fireboard ever. It was sooooo easy.

TP used for a tinder bundle. TP sucks moisture from the air. It really fought me but in the end ignited. Not a recommended tinder bundle material given it's downsides IMHO.

Sycamore is becoming one of my favorite friction fire woods. It produces big coals like Tulip poplar only easier. It has bumped willow down on my personal list. Don't get me wrong, willow rocks but sometimes it's more effort. Sycamore on Sycamore with antler bearing block. I will just use the hole made by the mullein. Not a perfect fit but burned in well.

A monster coal. Down right intimidating if yea ask me.

My helper blew this coal into flames.

Those Sycamore shavings from the fireboard ignited easily with my Strikeforce. Yea, I know that firesteels aren't primitive but the shavings were a product of the friction fire process so here goes.

Gosh that was easy.

Thanks for looking.

MrFixIt · Sep 3, 2014

Thanks for sharing WoodsWalker.
It's good to see other materials in use, might help one of us out in a pinch!

Windwhistler · Sep 3, 2014

We've got Mullein all over the place and I've used it as an herbal cough remedy. But what part are you making the drill from? I had no idea these stalks around here were solid at all!

Woods Walker · Sep 3, 2014

MrFixIt said:
Thanks for sharing WoodsWalker.
It's good to see other materials in use, might help one of us out in a pinch!

Thanks.

Windwhistler said:
We've got Mullein all over the place and I've used it as an herbal cough remedy. But what part are you making the drill from? I had no idea these stalks around here were solid at all!

The drill is made from the stalk. Yes it's full of soft pith but the outer husk will drill into wood. I think the pith ignites easily which maybe a possible explanation of mullein's good ability to start friction fires. You can also tie two cut stalks together and made a very good two-stick fireboard.

Windwhistler · Sep 3, 2014

I shall harvest a few immediately after the storms!!

j_d · Sep 3, 2014

Good post. I will have to try some mullein I have been seeing around here. Yucca stalk is also fairly common if you keep an eye out and makes for a great spindle.
Josh

Woods Walker · Sep 4, 2014

j_d said:
Good post. I will have to try some mullein I have been seeing around here. Yucca stalk is also fairly common if you keep an eye out and makes for a great spindle.
Josh

Thanks glad yea liked it. Sadly no Yucca in my area.

greenwoods · Sep 10, 2014

Good work and fun to read again. Thanks, WW.
I knew there would be a good reason to put a solid shot glass in my possibles bag. Now to see if I can focus the sun with it too!

Mark

Woods Walker · Sep 17, 2014

greenwoods said:
Good work and fun to read again. Thanks, WW.
I knew there would be a good reason to put a solid shot glass in my possibles bag. Now to see if I can focus the sun with it too!

Mark

A shot glass among other things is of the best bearing blocks I have ever used. Not bushcrafty but will get the job done. I wrap it with duct tape in case the glass should shatter. Also it can be reused. Who doesn't need more duct tape?