Bow Drill / Friction Fire Students - Click Here - If you are new, this video is for you

[USMC65UH34D]

Thanks, great instruction again. Jim ;-JJD

[canesser1]

You are one of the best of the best! Had a good laugh with you on this one. Must admit I'm excited about just getting ferro rod fires going as I just completed my first one on film, and now I feel challenged to go and try the bow drill method and you have inspired me. Bottom line? I'm going to have fun doing it. Too bad you didn't have a little birch bark around, that is "sure fire" tinder brother! I can send you some if you like, there's tons around here!

[EconoChallenge]

@canesser1 Thank you. I am in a sea of cedars in this area. Not a birch in sight. I had some milkweed fluff but I skimped a little too much and .... lost it. Man I was ticked ... just a few more pinches of fluff and I would have been fine. It does not matter how many times I have tried this ... I learn something new. Go for it brother!

[canesser1]

@EconoChallenge I've experimented with cattail fluff and find it can be very tricky depending upon ambient humidities . . . or something I'm simply missing (sounds familiar?). Who makes this art look ridiculously easy is Fredde at Hobbexp. Think he got bored with bow drills so went to hand drills . . . and makes that look even easier. Afraid my palmolive hands wouldn't tolerate that punishment! Hope to post some successful (and unsuccessful) bow drill fires sooner than later.

[EconoChallenge]

@canesser1 IhathcetJack and Hobbexp both get credit for pushing me. Now I am spinning the hand drill. Both have been fantastic at giving pointers and encouragement in the comments. I love being able to talk to these skilled bushcrafters. It has accelerated my leaning curve considerably.

[canesser1]

@EconoChallenge Well I'll be, it's a small world. Will have to check out IhatchetJack, haven't seen his vids yet. Now shhhhhh, trying to watch your vid building a bow drill set from scrach lol. It's like watching a black and white silent film. What region are you in? That's one massive aspen you're taking samples from!

[EconoChallenge]

@canesser1 Isn't she a beauty. That bark makes a perfect almost friction free bearing. If you have not tried it yet you will be amazed. It is the reason I focused on it a bit in this video. That aspen is growing on the shore of The Bay Of Quinte, Lake Ontario. There is a bunch of really healthy ones growing near the shore. Really handy ... LOL

[canesser1]

@EconoChallenge Don't see many trees that size out here in eastern Manitoba, we live in some tough country. Wind chills were -40C this morning with -31C temps. I'd say that has a lot to do with it. That huge body of water you're on there must really moderate the local climate with that huge thermal mass.

[EconoChallenge]

@canesser1 Yup. They have a name for it. "Lake Effect Weather" It is always cooler by the lake shore in the summer and warmer by the lake shore in the winter. The wind will pick up the moisture and then dump it on us. That normally means I am buried in snow by this time of year. But as you can see we are having very different lake effect weather this year.

[canesser1]

@EconoChallenge Yes, we are under the same influence under the shadow of Lake Winnipeg, but there's nothing quite like being under the shadow of the Great Lakes, eh :D Hard to believe the lack of snow throughout the land this year! And we were colder here than in Baffin Island yesterday. Go figure.

[PineMartyn]

Very entertaining video. It's not often one sees a friction fire video with a plot arc. Nicely done.

-Martin

[EconoChallenge]

@PineMartyn Thank you. We are trying to vary things a little.

[stephensgate1]

That was awesome. One of the most entertaining video's I've seen in quite a while. Great camera presence, and personality. Your a great teacher. Looking forward to seeing more of your video's. Great job. Thank you.

[EconoChallenge]

@stephensgate1 Thank you for your feedback. That's the currency that keeps us shooting video.

[Wintertrekker]

Well done! I have also been frustrated making lots of dust but not getting a coal. Next time my notch is going in deep!

[EconoChallenge]

@Wintertrekker When you get it ... it is an awesome feeling.

[shugemery]

That was a right goodie there. I got a hankering to try that sometime.

[EconoChallenge]

@shugemery Careful. You already have a stove addiction.

[SpartanJohns]

The ending was priceless! The Kit might be 20$ but the ending...like I said.

I got that tip after people watched my video where I failed to produce a coal.

2 guys told me the same thing. The notch!

I got a few pieces of willow a few months ago. Will be making and testing that soon.

Great video. I'm a sucker for friction fire "secrets"!

[EconoChallenge]

@SpartanJohns I was out again spinning some wood that I have tried in the past but never got to work. Cut it. Prepared it on the spot and tried it out. I did not get a coal but I know if I try it again after it dries a bit it will work. The confidence is building. After so long this is feeling really really good. I don't know about you but I got a little ticked off when I realized what i was doing wrong.

[SpartanJohns]

@EconoChallenge For me, the road was not that long. I tried it a few times then, i guess the third or fourth time I posted my attempt. And people told me right off what it was.

I can't wait to go out for an entire day and have time to try it properly.

[EconoChallenge]

@SpartanJohns Well that was today for me. Went out with my boot lace, saw and knife and tried to build a kit from scratch. I think it worked well even though I did not get a coal. Every time I get a step closer. I am leaving the kit to dry inside and am going to try it again.

[mrriprock2]

Hi Jeep. Entertaining vid as always. I told Dusty even I could get a coal with his set and you proved that. Ha. If at first you don't succeed, ask for a tinder bundle...Dash

[EconoChallenge]

@mrriprock2 It wasn't just a coal. It was a fast coal. That set is awesome. Thanks for dropping by for a visit.

[MegaSurvivalman]

I can send you some tinder it hasn't rained or snowed in a few weeks....so yeah of you want some PM me.

[TroutManOutdoors]

I like your approach. All you guys are motivating me to start practicing friction fire. Thanks a bunch. -Kurtis

[EconoChallenge]

@TroutManOutdoors Yup. Thats how I got hooked.

[TomsBackwoods]

well Done Jeep! You have concord the EVIL bow drill...it is my arch nemesis the evil,evil, bow drill still eludes me.....

[EconoChallenge]

@TomsBackwoods I have moved up a notch. LOL. But I think I have a way to go before I have concord this method of starting a fire. Seeing another kit made by someone else was a huge boost in the right direction. Maybe you should try it?

[Woodenarrows]

Cool video Jeep, 30 seconds is really fast. I liked the ending :-) I've yet to try a bow drill. It's on my list of things to do, just gotta get to it .... Dusty's Tender-Bundle Preparation video /watch?v=uyLw8kiEDe4

[EconoChallenge]

@Woodenarrows I have been bangin away at pine needles trying to reproduce what I saw in his video. Just have not found the right combination I guess. That is on my list. The more videos I watch the longer the list gets. Thanks Jim!

[bushcraftbartons]

Well done Jeep :)

[EconoChallenge]

@bushcraftbartons Thanks Mike. Moved up a notch ... eh?

[medicjimr]

Looks good Jeep, My only problem with going that route is, reproducing the spindle and hearth board , as the wood he uses is not found in my state :-(

[EconoChallenge]

@medicjimr So far I have busted a coal using Aspen on Aspen, Willow on Willow and Cedar on Cedar. I must say willow is the easiest by far but I can tell you it can be done with other wood. Still would get one just to see that ember form before your own eyes. Its worth it.

[medicjimr]

@EconoChallenge I agree on that , So please don't think I was not knocking you or Jack . just a thinking out loud

[crunksknunk]

Great vid, Jeep. It's often the simplest mistakes that plague us in the beginning. I too had notch issues in the beginning, it's all part of the learning curve. I wanted to see the epic shot of the bundle bursting into flames! Oh well, better luck next time : )

-c

[EconoChallenge]

@crunksknunk Thank you. I was hoping I was not the only one that had this problem. As for the epic flame shot.... ah the sun went behind the cloud bank and ruined the shot anyway. I will have that shot in a video .... for sure!

[Ggreenvideos]

So... I thank Jack every time I watch a bow drill vid :o) My set works like a charm :o) I added a diamond willow bearing block. Not at all into steel bearings :o) I've had a aspen set I made long ago just waiting far too long now for my first go with Yukon wood...haha! Good stuff man!

[EconoChallenge]

@Ggreenvideos I like the natural bearings. Dear antler is one. I have seen a smooth rock used in a few videos. My choice is the bark from a mature Aspen (Poplar). I find lots from dead trees up north. They get to huge size and then die. The bark is perfect for the bow drill.

[Ggreenvideos]

Cool stuff brother :o) Personally I wasn't worried about my technique as my talents are so plentiful...haha! Seriously though I studied enough on it I wasn't concerned. My problem was finding the rite wood knowing we had good sized willow somewhere up here but couldn't find any...haha! Jack was kind enough to send me a willow drill and hearth to get me started. I found no problem whatsoever to get a coal, but try to find the rite materials up here for a good nest is hard. Unlike southerners:o)

[EconoChallenge]

@Ggreenvideos Normally I would agree ...we have it easy for material to use in the nest. But my problem was freezing rain. Everything was iced over for a few days and it was just starting to thaw out the day I shot this.

[Ggreenvideos]

@EconoChallenge I hear ya :o) It's been a strange winter all across Canada this year!

[theodre55]

@Ggreenvideos You just aren't looking in the right places for materials. Check out this video. FLAMMA - Making fire with IKEA products on youtube. LOL.

[Ggreenvideos]

@theodre55 Haha! No that's good and funny :o) Thanks for that :o)

[IHatchetJack]

This video is great! Thanks for the nod! 

[Waldhandwerk]

Hi Jeep, good job with the Dusty smoke ; ) ...just blow it to an ember first. Keep on crafting, my friend! Sepp

[jkd185]

thanks mate ;)

regards

streetartist

[dragonflyhiker]

lol, the friction fire is on my to learn list this year

[CiaranRooney125]

I haven't tried the Bowdrill in around 2 months. I've tried 150+ times now, have had tons of smoke and dust but no ember xD Bowdrill is amazing in that even the smaaaaaaaalest little thing can mean no ember.

[EconoChallenge]

@CiaranRooney125 It does seem that way at first. But I have seen it done in the snow ... in the rain .... with three or four different kinds of wood ... during the day ... at night .... So my thought is that I have been held back by what I believed was possible and almost impossible.

[Bustertb]

I really like how "honest" you are in your videos. When you fail you don't edit it out, which is a good learning experience for the rest of us, and also pretty entertaining. ;) Looking forward to more!

P.S. I am in the process of building the "Tripod" hammock set up. I'm really looking forward to being able to "redecorate" my campsite whenever I want. (I'm a woman, we like to redecorate a lot :)

Happy Camping!

[EconoChallenge]

@Bustertb We do a lot of editing. Mostly because I have a tendency to run off at the mouth. Lately many have commented that they like seeing "some" of the stuff we cut out. We learn and then show you the finished result. I think you are right and there is some value in seeing when things don't go right. We tell you about it but sometime its better (and more fun) to see it for yourself. I hope you can post a video on how your redecorating works out.

[Bustertb]

@EconoChallenge  I definitely will!

[oldguy537]

great video as usual ...

[MiWilderness]

custom made tinder bundles, LOL! 30 seconds for an ember, that's pretty good.

[YTSKI]

Now that is what I call, "a worthful purchase", because you not only fixed your issue, but helped so many other people. I am still working on my methods, and I will have to say that I learn something everytime. I really enjoy your videos, and I always learn from them. I hope that you keep them coming. Stay safe, and always remember that Jesus Loves you. God bless, and happy bushcrafting.

[69Grunden]

Great try though, you'll get it next time. I myself am just starting with the hand drill. I'll reply to your video with mine. Fun trying I think..Thanks for sharing

[Greatbloke]

I thought that you weren't going to tell us the secret. :) .. Great story telling capped off with a funny end. Thanks for the video.

[EconoChallenge]

@Greatbloke It actually freaked me out that we have been around long enough to have a story. LOL

[ETHIOLOGIST1]

Makes me want to run outside right now and play with fire. Great vid, as always.

[EconoChallenge]

@ETHIOLOGIST1 I love it when it works ...its amazing. There is that word again.

[Jrsdrums]

Great video!

[EconoChallenge]

@Jrsdrums I don't know ... I was not real happy with the focus in the last shot. It was getting too dark for the camera.

[Jrsdrums]

@EconoChallenge the production was very good, and since I have never done a bow drill fire before it was very educational as well. I've experimented with all kinds of tinder and ferro rods but now i wanna start learning more primitive techniques.

[EconoChallenge]

@Jrsdrums It gives you a very cool feeling when it works. You have to try it.

[Jrsdrums]

@EconoChallenge yeah I wanna learn. You should try a pump fire drill. i haven't seen it done before.

[hobbexp]

hehehe how can you miss how to cut the notch,

im happy for you find it out,

fredde

[EconoChallenge]

@hobbexp To explain we have to go back to that book I was reading. I checked it again as I was thinking about this video. The drawings do not show the notch clearly in any of the illustrations. Many videos I have watched rarely show you the notch. Or at least it is hard to see in detail. Anyway ... sometimes I must have cut the notch "too far" into the hole and that is when it worked!

[hobbexp]

@EconoChallenge

i think its great, i maybe gonna do a video about it, because lots of guys mail me all the time, and asking why ther bow drill kits dont work,

[EconoChallenge]

@hobbexp I think you should write a book. NO joke. Sign me up for a copy! Anyone else think so? Thumbs up?

[hobbexp]

@EconoChallenge

it its good you have find out something that will help you to get a ember,

fredde

[robertmccallum1]

nice kit he sent you . crazy it waz the notch eh ...

[EconoChallenge]

@robertmccallum1 I am sure of it ... but we will see the next few times I give it a go on my own kit(s). I finally got cedar on cedar to work with the correct notch!

[sousaville]

lmao...awesome video Jeep....sweet use of bow drill skills and humor,lol....ill bet your a hoot at the xmas party...peace brother.

[EconoChallenge]

@sousaville ya ... they say avoid that guy ... all he wants to talk about is hiking!

[sousaville]

@EconoChallenge... darn that makes two of us with that problem ...the guys at work dont even want to here about it anymore....thus my time spent chatting with you and a few others on YouTube,lol.

[EconoChallenge]

@sousaville Thats right ...this is an awesome group of people. We will talk wilderness stuff all day!

[BLynchCAN]

That was quick.

[EconoChallenge]

@BLynchCAN Way faster than when we tried it eh? I will swing by so you can play with it.

[BLynchCAN]

@EconoChallenge Sure, just give me a shout.