Bow Drill Fire Proper Form, Practical Primitive

[jkd185]

great ;)

kind regards

streetartist

[hazeywolf]

You're a great teacher - thanks for sharing!

[wastedatmickydez]

thank you!

[jzoer392]

julie is cute

[lucacr65]

:-) good to finally see a southpaw demoing the technique! Three hoorays for all us left-handeds!

[HandsomeSasquatch]

I have a problem with placing the drill into the string because every time the string breaks do you have any suggestions?

[sutrar]

@HandsomeSasquatch That 'snap' this lady refers to as a good sign occurs when the drill is tilted towards the string at about 30-45 degrees, when there is more tension on the string than with the drill already perpendicular, and the loop already closed. Lessen the tension in this critical moment by helping the loop to close by forcing the two strands of the string (leading away from the drill) towards one another (closing the loop around the spindle) with your other hand.

[practicalprimitive]

@HandsomeSasquatch The technique I use in this video is for synthetic (nylon) cordage. If you're using "natural" cordage you made yourself or even cotton string, you have to do things a little differently. Natural fibers can't handle the same kind of tension or friction, and will often quickly break. If it's breaking as you try to place your spindle then the string is too weak for the amount of pressure involved. Learn using nylon, then graduate to natural fibers once you have your form down.

[HandsomeSasquatch]

@practicalprimitive yeah I will do that. i just have a hard time finding soft dry wood in my area that smokes easily

[practicalprimitive]

What kind of string are you using? If it is too light-weight with too much tension then it simply overwhelms the tensile strength of the string you are using. You probably either need to double up your string or loosen the tension on your bow. Remember, it needs to be tight enough that your spindle can't be moved, but not so tight that you have to use every ounce of strength you possess to snap it in place! Hope that helps.

[BigTVideos]

Really great job, thanks so much.

BigT

[jooleyen]

Wow. This is seriously a professional video. Such good tips and clear-ups. Good job Julie!

[johnvsbev]

Outstanding Video... Subscribed!!!!  11 out of 10 Stars :-D

[MrVoiceofreason123]

These same principles apply to the hand drill as well. Many people start out way too fast and tense and get nowhere all the while tiring themselves out and getting frustrated. A lot of people have really inefficient hand drill technique because they are not using economy of motion.

[IHatchetJack]

Hands down, best video instructional on the internet.

[primitivebushskills]

thank you for the great video

[frankgon4]

I just came across these videos. Did Julie Martin quit making videos?

[cwaynesears]

After I saw your vid, I put together my first bow drill kit. By the time I had it ready it was dark and raining, but I tried anyway. Thirty seconds into my second attempt I had an enormous coal. It was amazingly simple thanks to you, Julie. I guess it's time to try some flintknapping now.

[idiedly1]

Julie, will you consider making a vid on picking the right materials and how to put it all together? I have really enjoyed this vid and have past it on to several people. Thanks for the instruction.

[MysteryMan159]

would the "take it slow at first til the kit is warm and dust fills the notch" strategy work for the hand drill as well?

[practicalprimitive]

@MysteryMan159 Absolutely. The same steps apply to hand drill. Remember, if you don't have heat and you don't have fuel, you won't have fire!

[5tonyvvvv]

Julie is cool..but u dont need perfect form..my 8 year old son has made fire with a bow drill...its really not that hard..people make it to be alot harder than it really is.

[MysteryMan159]

@5tonyvvvv yeah, form really helps a lot tho. makes you use less energy. i bruted a few coals in the past but, was exhausted afterwards. but definitely possible :D

[5tonyvvvv]

@MysteryMan159 native americans did this with just stone tools..its not hard..we make things way to complicated today

[practicalprimitive]

@5tonyvvvv You're absolutely right, it's NOT hard. That's the whole point of the video -- to show just how easy it really is! In spite of Dave Canterbury's ridiculous insistence that friction fire is only successful a small percentage of the time and can't be relied upon... come on... do you really think if making fire was that hard that any of us would be here today??? As for stone tools, I can abrade a notch with a pebble tool faster than I can cut one with a knife. Stone tools rock!

[5tonyvvvv]

@practicalprimitive LOL. Great vid Canterbury is an angry Military dude, Cody is the real deal!!

[5tonyvvvv]

@practicalprimitive I have made all kinds of fire kits with just stone chert tools! and natural cordage. People today are just in a rush and brainwashed with technology.. Oh my God, my cell phone broke Im gonna DIE!! Panic!! Most people's useless college education will get them no where in life. especially in the forest!

[5tonyvvvv]

@MysteryMan159 better yet make your own string cordage too,nettle fiber ,yucca,dogbane all work great!!

[MysteryMan159]

@5tonyvvvv i made some of my own strinfg before, didn't hold very well, but it was from inner oak bark and it was dried out a bit. prolly made it too brittle, made some from milkweed husk once too, it too became brittle. dogbane and nettles i can't seem to find in my area. i know we don't have yucca (new england).

[practicalprimitive]

@5tonyvvvv Yes, they do, though my favorite is wisteria bark. It can take a LOT of pressure and lasts way longer than most of the ones you mentioned. And way faster to make too! But that's a whole other video... :-)

[practicalprimitive]

@5tonyvvvv You're right! You don't NEED perfect form, and I've seen lots of folks with lousy form and bad kits "power through" to get a coal. I've also seen a lot of them fail repeatedly and/or become exhausted in their attempts. Proper form isn't mandatory to be able to make a bowdrill fire, but it definitely makes it easier, faster, takes less effort, and will make your friction-fire-making as consistent as using a match. And congrats to your boy! Hope he keeps it up!

[5tonyvvvv]

@practicalprimitive I usually just put some leaves and spit at the end of the bow drill so friction doesn't get to Hot at the other end.

[echanchuk]

Thanks to Ms Julie, I finally got my fire thru' bow drill method. her tips are very informative and very precise insructions. Her methods are of least effort  really,

[ArtisanTony]

The best bow drill video I have seen and I have watched way too many :)

[SurvivalGurl]

You go Julie!

I'm a lefty too.

[meatpuppet29]

That girls cute :)

[Trinitarian13]

great vid :) im about to go out and attempt again using this advice. iv bin trying bowdrill for a few days now and no coal, using spruce, smoke and dust goes well but no ember, maybe this will help ignite! =) thanks a lot, if anyone has more advice feel free to help me out :P ty

[BernhardHofmann]

Very clear instruction. Excellent video. 5*

[TheGreenwitch13]

I usually saw on the thing for a minute, get smoke but no ember, get aggravated, throw the bowdrill in the woods and reach for the zippo. You make this stuff look good-----I mean easy ;)

I think I'll give it another shot, thanks for this.

[NomadShelters]

How refreshing.

Keep up the good work.

I am subbing your channel.

[ursushoribilisron]

Great Job Julie!

You are an awesome instructor.

Thank you for your effort.

[worldwidedump]

Excellent infomative video ,looking forward for some more similar videos that shows proper techniques..

Thanks much

[mazadan]

a very helpful video. been driven nuts trying to get the bow drill to work .oddly i have no problems with the hand drill .........this has helped so very much

[RedheadCobweb]

Fantastic, thank you sharing, I'm achieving about 90% success rate when I drill and I think it's got something to do with form, my wrist, when I began, was all over the shop but with practice it's not so much.

This technique looks great, I had trouble with my breasts getting in the way as well and it's fantastic to see another woman doing bushcraft :)

[shillelaghslaw]

best explanation i have ever seen. Great Job, I cant wait to see more videos

[bethandmark]

Easy ... and easy on the eyes.

Very good.

Doc Wright

[EDBO23]

You are a very good instructor!

I tried cyprus wood years ago and it was amazing.Very quick to start smoking.

[coyote0125]

Great video guys!

[nates1973]

Once again, an excellent job. Just like striking a match. :-) How about Eddie's one-strike arrowhead technique next? Or something with clay?

[73mensailedoff]

Everybody using a bow drill should watch this video. Excellant form and presentation Julie 5*