Re-visiting the Bow Drill

http://www.arizonabushman.com http://www.highdesertsurvivalschool.com yep another bow drill video. I will go and practice my primitive fire skills to keep them fresh. I do a lot of things differently than others may. I am not into taking short cuts with my primitive fire methods. Some like to put their board on top of the tinder bundle to make the process faster and not have to do the extra work to transfer the ember to the tinder bundle. I personally do not like smashing my tinder bundle. After I go through the effort to work the tinder and make it fluffy thus increasing the surface area. I don't like to smash it back down.....personal preference. I also like to take the extra time to seat everything together before I make the notch and go for an ember. While learning this skill trust me the patience will pay off. I also prefer a shorter spindle, the reason is I personally feel I have greater control over what I am doing. Also I wanted to do this a little differently and show a couple more stone tools and an additional elk antler socket for this process. I hope you enjoy the video. I for one really enjoyed putting it together.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Bow Drill
• survival
• bushcraft
• primitive fire
• tinder bundles
• coal extenders
• cotton wood bark
• elk antlers
• astragalus bones
• stone tools
• fire boards
• John Campbell
• Arizona bushman
• high desert survival school
• Mayer Arizona
• Yavapai County
• desert
• wilderness

[IHatchetJack]

I always enjoy watching well presented friction fire videos. About a three months ago I decided to practice friction fire techniques every Tuesday and document with pictures and video. Haven't missed a week yet and several other folks have joined in. It's great to see other techniques and styles in action. You should join the fun!

[desertsurvivalist]

@IHatchetJack I just watched one of your videos using willow. Thats a really good combination. Your going to be selling your bow drill sets? I think thats a great idea. I was looking into doing that myself but I ended up getting too busy with this new knife line to get out there and make some up. Ill get to in a month or so......I hope lol. Great job on your videos! Thanks for stopping by and I will keep watching your vids.

[bassfuryvi]

Seriously John,,a brilliant bow drill vid,,,and with stones too,,super job! I wanna play now! 

[desertsurvivalist]

@bassfuryvi Thank you very much!

[markshmily]

Very cool!

I had a hell of a time getting a good set together. =(

I live in a state that rains a lot so getting dry wood can be troublesome. =\

Ever thought about wearing knee pads? I am thinking about getting some because everytime I kneel down it's always right onto a sharp rock. =(

[desertsurvivalist]

@markshmily I have a pair but I just never use them. They feel awkward really. Kind of like gloves. I know I should be wearing them but I feel clumsier with them.

[mrseansbushcraft]

@desertsurvivalist Fantastic John. I think i'll give you a call this week. Is your number still the same? Talk to ya soon.

[desertsurvivalist]

@mrseansbushcraft Sean! Good to hear from you! How are things going over there?

[mrseansbushcraft]

You rock John. Sure miss ya guys!

[skunkape49]

ok i was never any good with a bow drill lol

[willtry2survive1]

28 seconds to ember, good job! You make it look too easy.

[desertsurvivalist]

@93jeepTimma You know I am not really sure.....What is your elevation there? The lowest I have found it in my neck of the woods is right around 4,200 feet in riparian areas. Which is contrary to what my book says from 5,000 to 7,000 feet. I have even found it growing at 9,000 feet. With in 100 miles you definitely should be able to find some. Keep me posted on this if you find some that would be interesting to hear.