Bow drill - Marra technique. Created by dave brannigan

[186282plus1]

Great job my friend. A lesser man would have scrapped the video once something went slightly wrong and started again but it was great that you stuck with it and simply worked through to a solution and eventually fire. Interesting technic too.

[branni79]

@186282plus1

No worries, thanx for the very kind words dude! The reality of friction fire & especially bow drilling is that things go wrong & always will. Its how we deal with these problems thats important & getting flame is all that matters in survival. Strings will slip, coals will fall apart, strings will snap, hearths will break etc. Too many folks who are earning far too much cash from being perfect on camera will never allow or upload vids showing reality. Laterz dude, dave

[branni79]

Gonna knock up a newer shorter version of the vid to save on the snooze factor of watching a 15 min vid of me yapping. haha.

[steintanz]

Great technique! The left/holding hand on the knee is very convincing.

Thanks, Tim

[branni79]

@steintanz

thanx dude. once you get used to it its mighty comfy and solid. all the best, dave b

[JesterBushcraft]

Thats a great technique and one Im going to try. I must point out I have NEVER tried a bow drill, so will be usin this as my learnng curve technique. Thanks again

[branni79]

@JesterBushcraft

thanx marra. no worries dude i hope you enjoy havin a pop and please feel free to ask any questions and i'll be glad to help out in any way i can. I'm uploading a shorter vid soon to make the technique easier to understand and without all my yapping. :) My cam aint working with the uploads so it'll be in the next week or so. Good luck dude... dave b

[branni79]

@freejutube

cheerz marra. You can of course use long spindles also you just have to kneel up with your thigh almost vertical and away you go, but the stability of this technique is better with shorter spindles.

[freejutube]

good idea !

I've to try this !

it seems to be the real simple solution to use basswood (tiglia) spindle (here I can only find very short length of straight branches)

[Balgore8]

Bending your knees past 90 degrees like that, as well as kneeling in that position, is really bad for your spine and knees. Sure, doing it for a short 'burst' of time just to get a fire going isnt so bad. But im sure you can adjust the position to be better for your knees/back.

[branni79]

@Balgore8

Nope, no pain or discomfort for me and i've been doing it along time my friend. The human body can do amazing things like kneel and bend over. haha. just kidding dude. In all seriousness if you try this technique or any for that matter, change the technique to suite your body type and alter for injuries etc. Dont be in pain or discomfort just to copy someone. As long as you get fire and are pain free thats all that matters my friend. Good luck dude...

[mazadan]

very good and wonderful technique. agree with the thing about woodsmoke, like those guys a lots will be up there again for the mukluk and mittens in oct.............

[branni79]

@mazadan

enjoy the course fella

[hobbexp]

great idea

fredde