Survival Skills - Firemaking - The Bow Drill

[TripInsure]

very helpful.. great skill to have

[hillbillybushcraft]

did you use white pine?

[winnipegdiver]

Good video

One thing before starting a fire clear away any and all dead debris so as not to start a forest fire

[merklinator]

beginings of a forest fire

[ThomasDoLad]

Chuck Norris would just flick his fingers.

[jeetendrag10acc2]

Real men don;t speak when they make fire.

[mountaingoat47]

awesome, i prefer a rock for a hand hold. with wood it burns in and creates more friction and less spinning.

[MartialLawra]

tough stuff!

[TurboXtr3me]

i use lighter 

[Balgore8]

Nicely done. About how long did the whole process take you, start to finish?

Also, you cut the notch AFTER grinding out a hole first? Can you just cut the notch right off the bat, and try to skip that middle step?

[strhunter666]

hey just a little tip when you are trying to blow the ember into flame make sure you have the wind at your back so you dont get a face full of smoke

[OnEbayNow]

Aw shit! FIRE run away!!

[maryjanerrr]

sage on sage is the way to go... or yucca on cottonwood

[raz636man]

Hmmm. I was making a point, that obviously you didn't get....What's the better odds - I'll have a string and a hatchet or I'll have a lighter?

[raz636man]

Hmmm. I was making a point, that obviously you didn't get....What's the better odds - I'll have a string and a hatchet or I'll have a lighter?

[raz636man]

In my neck of the woods, just find an old pine stump (fatwood / fat lighter). Get a few small pieces. Pull out my Marlboro's and lighter - no good redneck leaves home without them - light the Marlboro, then light the fatwood and let the fatwood do the work.

[CougarClan]

@raz636man Of course Raz...please... lighters are great, but the real power and wisdom is having the knowledge to know what to do without them... -R

[zyxwvutsrqponml1234]

playing with fire by all those dry leaves ? 

[thegreatkoua]

making fire without a lighter is not easy

[imcrudy]

or you could carry a lighter !!!

[stuartcolemans]

Why.?did you not position yourself,upwind before blowing??you wouldnt have got a face full of smoke,

[wwus120]

great job cougar well done. im going to vote this video thumbs up

and remember only you can prevent forest fires..

[slimepig]

what are the best woods for my area for each part? I live in the hill country of Texas.

[NilsPille]

respect!!!! well done!! im goin on a camping trip soon and i will be tryin it out then. :D

[mrfireclaw]

what tpye wood you used i trying learn that skill ?

[rlmarin1968]

I think this is a great teaching video. I just think it's a bit "funny" that a lot of these types of videos are being made in areas COVERED with flammable ground cover. I mean seriously? clear out a nice ring of clear ground before you start making fires.

You are teaching some valuable skills here...but it also shows a bad example of bad fire site selection.

[WisdomOfTheHeart123]

The fireobard should be softer wood than the drill right?

[SuperStraightShot]

This was very informative and easy to follow. Well done man.

[josh74704]

yeah i wrapped the string around it but maybe i did do it wrong but im gonna try again in a few days

[firebyehand]

does ivy work on hazel ?

[HomeMediaProductions]

now i know how to survive in my back yard

[appel99]

Thank you for showing the DETAILS, I've been getting lots of smoke but no fire.

[josh74704]

ive tried that before and i cant get the spindle to spin  is there some kind of trick to do it?

[r1pexz]

@josh74704 did you wrap the string around it? :D

Just like, put the spindle next to the string on the inside, and just twist it diagonaly, so the sting is kind of half twisted around it. A lot of people seem to lack the common sense to do it. :D Plus, make sure the string is not too loose.

[jakeo96]

i cant stand willow its too soft. poplar is great, basswood, white cedar is godly tho

[RandomMonster]

this is pretty intense...

[frank0067]

where did that big chuck of hot coal fall from..is that the notch you cut out or something eles

[sBboard56]

There's all dry stuff around him :O!

[MrDadadou]

man you take a loooooottt of time !!!!

[BernhardHofmann]

You demonstrate some scary knife handling there. If you slipped when preparing that hand block you would've gone straight into your thigh.

[cline031]

my question is what if you was to get lost without any string or cord, Is there any kind of lets say vine or stringy root that you could maybe substitute for a string or cord

[purplemutantas]

@cline031 The best solution is to always carry paracord. But as a backup, it would be good to know what kinds of natural materials to use. I am not sure what you would use.

[ardvarkkkkk]

@cline031 You wear clothes,right? My first thought would be to slice a 1/4 inch strip off my belt. No belt? Take off your shorts, cut into strips and braid a cord. Many other possibilities. You get the idea.

[Bustedandshot]

Ty for making this vid! 3 days to get grade from D to a B- and this extra credit might help a bit so ty for helping me out

[Shaowolf247]

but what if you dont got any tools from human and if you are survivaling in middle of nowhere and you lost your knife.. what to do then?

[HerccoelFalater]

@Shaowolf247 then you are died.

[purplemutantas]

@Shaowolf247 Thats why you carry more than one knife. Also, knowing how to get by without tools is good too. Look at the vids from wilderness outfitters. He shows some primitive skills in some of his vids.

[ardvarkkkkk]

@Shaowolf247 Home, work. playing golf, where ever, I always carry two knives and usually a gun so it is highly unlikely that I would ever be in that situation but, if I were, I would use stone tools. This was done for thousands of years.

[archaicalworm03]

would hemp cord work for cordage?

[Hutzjohn]

great video instruction. One of the best on this subject. What knid of knife do you use? is that a Spyderco? Do you consider it as a small survival knife?

[cityboygonewild22]

excellent form !

[mayaslave]

in the land of the lost ...you are a god....heh..thanx for the great demo

[RogueLegend999]

the Firelord  :p

nice job

[hawksucker69]

what are the best woods too use for the fire board and spindle ? Ive used store bought red cedar and it works but i ve had trouble with wood found around Montana.

[CougarClan]

@hawksucker69 I would try Cottonwood, Willow or Aspen in your neck of the woods... Good luck!

-Richard

[5tonyvvvv]

@CougarClan Good vid man..but Ive noticed in all these bow drill videos Ive seen on you tube never once, does anyone explain how to tie the string to the bow..You should explain how to tie it on and how to tighten it, using a clove hitch or slip knot..or make a longer string or use the egyptian style.

[emerson24]

@hawksucker69 Isn't the whole purpose of this is to find what nature provides? If you are going to go to the store and buy wood, then what's point in this video? Better off just buying some water proof matches and duraflame.

[hawksucker69]

@emerson24 I posted that over a year ago, and was just working on the technique. Since then I ve learned that native cedar and aspen as well as our cottonwood work well in Montana. I ve also learned it is way easier to do in the shop and at home. A quote I read on my way to mastering the bow drill method. " A person who is familiar with the Bowdrill method of fire making NEVER forgets their matches!"

[BushcraftOnFire]

Nice job Richard...

Fine tutorial.. I would love to hook up with you some day.. Would be fun!

David

[Omnignosis]

I can't get my spindel to turn? The string just moves around it without turning it! HELP!

[ardeppai]

@Omnignosis

you need to tighten the string, try shortening it, or adding another loop

[Omnignosis]

@ardeppai

Thanks!

[CougarClan]

The string is too loose. It needs to be pretty tight. I suggest 1/8 inch solid braid nylon to learn with, before attempting natural cordage... Good Luck !!

[Omnignosis]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I even tied knots in the string to get it to "grab" but that didn't really work so well, I even tried to shave polygonal edges into the stick to help it grab the string and turn but no dice...

[SocialFever]

why don't ppl speak up in their how to videos ??

[hflat1]

Why don't people turn up the volume on their amp?

[SocialFever]

lol..how will that help when they are not speaking...lol..pffft

[Grungadin]

@SocialFever

Because they assume viewers aren't.... blind?

[derek6678421]

I heard that in theory this works in reality it is impossible. Or very very hard. What do others think ?

[Skippy8806]

It's very possible, it's just hard, it takes a lot of effort, time and patience

[OHSCOUGARS]

well done, very good job

[gimepepe]

it was better if you started out with a new board/bow etc. an told us what wood to use

[Paulie419]

was this wood gathered from the same place or is this a certain type? noticed there different colors.

[MacsCanfly]

no they light

[beebyH]

smart guy..making a fire..dry leaves all around..humm?..I GOT FIRE!!!!!!!

[GoosegearMKIII]

Leaves dont burn...they smoke and smolder. Zero risk of danger. go ahead....try it. only a raging fire will burn them up really.

[Xmokko]

very nice. I may just grab some different piecesw and bring them to my home and practice.

[samnang1967]

Question: Why do you make the notch in the wood at the bottom? I haven't seen that before. Also, where did the coal come from? If you are spinning the stick, wouldn't the sides of the base just turn dark and smoke? I am not sure where the coal piece came from. Great video...

[EnergyDog23]

It's called Friction... and the notch is for the coal to collect, and the coal comes from the heat caused by friction..

[songwynd]

Awsome vid. =) If it hasn't been noted though, it is realy healpfull to put ear wax into the hand hold, or top piece, to insure less friction, or the possibility of the drill going through to your hand after repeated use =D

[MonkeyInAHumanSuit]

Great technique, but if I get lost in the bush, I really hope I get lost with an axe and knife in my bag

[CougarClan]

Yes, a knife and an axe come in handy, but I can teach you to do the same with stone tools as well...

[MonkeyInAHumanSuit]

Now that would be great... I've seen documentaries on aboriginal axe making, by sharpening flat river rock, that looked like a good technique.

[flintstone9812]

Gerber makes a hatchet that has a small saw built into the blade. I found one at Gander Mountain. The saw will cut wood using less energy than a hatchet or axe. But I hope I never get stranded in the wild without a knife. Your most valuable tool. A person can use a piece of wood to hammer a knife blade for chopping trees if you don't have a hatchet. Don't use a rock, the blade might break.

The ear wax is an excellent idea, never thought of that.

[PKM9x19]

@MonkeyInAHumanSuit  If you get lost in the woods without at least a knife... you didnt have any business being there in the first place.

[MonkeyInAHumanSuit]

@PKM9x19

I don't need a knife to go for a walk in the bush PK, because I'm not dumb enough to get lost in the first place.

[RogatySTN]

One question. :) what type of tape should i use or how should i prepare the stick?(maybe its too thin) cause its slippy and i cant push it hard enough cause it wont rotate. ive tried to use my boot string, but thats a shit. maybe im stupid, but.. HELP! xP i mean help from SOMEONE WHO MADE fire with bow drill.

[CougarClan]

Not sure what you mean by "what type of tape?" Also, try using 1/8 " solid braid nylon for the string. It's a good material to learn with before transitioning to natural cordage. I'd recommend a 3/4" spindle and the same thickness for the fireboard.

Hope this helps...

[KellinePower]

Did you ever burn yourself while doing that? I'm sure you did the first time, right?

[gowdaflow]

That's really awesome, thanks for the video!!

by the way, would any type of dry wood do the job or it has to be some specific one??

[CougarClan]

Thanks ! Lots of different woods will work. Basswood,willow,cedar, cottonwood, alder,etc.etc. We used cedar on a basswood fireboard for the video.

You want medium hardwoods. You can make fire with oak and hickory, but they're advanced.

~Richard

[angels94928]

is it me or is it hard to take this video seriously when interstate 95 is roaring by at 3:30 pm during May?

[StateTheSmash]

Nice commercial! If only I had the time and money.........

[attnevery1]

I think that the notch in the in the side is the most important part. It has to be wide enough.

[HookaMega]

That looks like alot of work. I would have just pulled out my cigarette lighter and started it.

[ballstatesucks]

And if you don't have a cigarette lighter my boy?

[MolonLabe84]

in nature (i live in new england) what could you use as the rope/string if you have none?

[CougarClan]

You have many resources where you live. Plants like dogbane, milkweed, stinging nettles and velvet leaf all make great rope. Also, trees like Basswood and Hickory have an amazingly strong inner bark that if twisted properly are almost unbreakable!! Wisteria vine is another favorite...

~Richard

[MolonLabe84]

ill try everything but nettles :), thanks!

[CougarClan]

No worries...you can only use the plants when they're dead. Dogbane is really good and the plants that you find now will still be usable. The stalks are red with opposite branching. Look for long slender seed pods to help identify. After you step on the stalks, split them into long sections and remove the woody part, one inch at a time by peeling it away from the fibers. I do this with about 10 stalks and then "reverse wrap" (technique) them to make a really strong rope. Hope this helps...~R

[verticalman3]

you could just use your boot string or shoe string

[gerifromvac]

This is all great but what would he do if he wouldn't have any tools with him?

Could he make fire that way?

[CougarClan]

Actually, yes I can, and have done so. I teach people how to make stone tools,knives and axes a knowledge which all Native peoples...including YOUR ancestors had. I can teach you how to make rope too....care to learn? ~Richard

[flamefinger1989]

hi mate what woods did you use i like sycomore hazle and willow

[CougarClan]

I used a cedar spindle on a basswood fireboard. I've had success with sycamore and willow but haven't tried hazel. How does hazel work for you?

~Richard

[flamefinger1989]

i find the best for me is hazle spindle on ceder board but i like hazle on willow aswell!!!

[romanovdb]

great vid ! finally ! not a idiot who schows his knives or destroying nature but a real helpfull vid thanks

[CougarClan]

Thanks, I appreciate it. Survival skills can be done with thought and consideration. I think our ancestors would have agreed. Thanks for the input...

~Richard

[johnjayrambo11111]

great video 5/5

[ldockery63]

ive been using crape myrtle spindles, and a crape myrtle fire board. will this work? i can find any bass wood.

[xsplosive1975]

this is the best video on fire bow drilling I have seen to date even better then mine great work.

[chabnock]

Nice video. Well done. I can not believe how many people ask what kind of wood you are useing. If you are stuck out on a mountain, do you think that one specific wood will be laying there for you to use? It is friction, heat, and a little air. I would think Hard woods like Oak would be harder to carve, and would also take more work to produce the coal. But hey, If I am in need of heat I would bust my ass carveing what ever wood I could find. Well done CougarClan.

[godsfighter33]

when i tryed to make a fire with bow drill it burned on the top part not the bottom part y?

[CougarClan]

This is common. The top(handhold)needs to be lubricated to keep it from burning. Pine sap or an old nut meat from an oak, hickory or black walnut mashed in there should do the trick!

Good luck! ~Richard

[Umbreonlova197]

would soaking it in water work to stop it from burning

[CougarClan]

Water and water-based lubricants don't work very well. I've used wax myrtle berries and mashed green pine needles with some success.

The handhold can also be made from a harder piece of wood. My favorite one is made from a piece of stone. I've seen people use bone too. ~Richard

[DissYouOut]

His fireboard doesnt look very "Jungle" to Me,,

[CougarClan]

Actually the fireboard is a section of a dead branch from a Basswood tree. If you look close you can clearly see that. ~Richard

[B17MIKE]

I was an Eagle Scout and made more smoke than I could tell you... I never got the fire, though.. Well done!

[CougarClan]

Thanks Mike!

~Richard

[muffdriver69]

Hi Cougar, I was wondering where you got get the string in the wilderness to make the fire? Thanks mate.

[CougarClan]

There are a lot of great cordage materials suitable for this skill. Here's a short list...Dogbane, milkweed, yucca leaves(inner fibers), false nettle, wisteria vines(use the inner and outer bark after splitting in half and removing the woody core),and hickory and basswood inner bark is awesome! Hope this helps...~Richard

[muffdriver69]

Thanks cougar, I'll take your advice and experiment with the materials to which works best for me. Cheers!

[godsfighter33]

whats that little hole in the fireboard and y is it black?

[CougarClan]

Not exactly sure which hole you're referring to, but the 3 other holes in the fireboard are from previous coals, which are black because of friction during the process. The small hole in the handhold is made the same way. In Wildness, ~Richard

[frank0067]

neat ty

[frank0067]

Good but how about ya TEACH folks how its done

[CougarClan]

I wish I could teach you in 10 mins how to be an expert, but it's not possible. When I teach the bow drill it's an hour lecture followed by 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. of workshop. So many variables come up. You have to experience it yourself to learn. A book or video just gives you basics. Most of them really suck!:)Take a class or let me know where you live,I'll hook you up with a good teacher. Once again,start the ball rolling and ask questions. Instant gratification doesn't work here. Fire's too special

[frank0067]

OK ty.. very nice work

[frank0067]

seen bunch these videos , they know how make it but they DONT KNOW what wood to use

[CougarClan]

Hi Frank, Lots of different woods will work. Basswood,willow,cedar, cottonwood, alder,etc.etc.

Medium hardwoods. You can make fire with oak and hickory,but It will be difficult.

Look closely at the video, pay attention to form especially. Use 1/8 inch braided nylon and make sure it's pretty tight when you wrap it around the spindle. Give it a whirl! Feel free to ask questions.

~Richard

[rabidmonkeygirl]

Richard is correct, so many variables. I think I may have run down some fellow Pineys with Richard involving a car fire. Now I'm blessed to share skills in Maine. Our vids discuss wood types, but miss the incredible angles and close-ups Richard provides. Theres only one way to get what you need, find someone who will get your hands on a set, and have them work you through the technique. Well done Richard, hope we meet on the trail. Looks like we share the same north woods environment.

[NilezII]

Very good video! I use almost exactly the same technique.

[estaban215]

what kinda wood were u using?

[NardDieHard]

hey how do u get the spindle so stright please coment back and sorry about all of the same coments cause i thought it was not working

[NilezII]

You just have to keep whittling. I try to make a point on each end of the spindle, and spin it between my fingers, looking for "high" and "low" spots.

[NardDieHard]

hey cool knife and axe were did u get them they look cool reply back plaese

[yec1JF]

ditto for me as well