i SUCK at friction fire have not even tried in a long time ... after watching this video i think i seen several things i was doing wrong think i will try it again... thanks guys
Well I've been working at this for quite some time. This witchery he preforms is quite humbling. Dude makes a fire as he takes a nap in the snow. Well done vet!
So true, Lonnie! Friction fire became almost easy even with woods that aren't supposed to work once I stopped trying to use brute force. With inspiration from your videos I started seriously studying the process. Skill is the key not labor.
most of all show Lonnie and Connie the deepest love for the work they do. they are pillars in our community. they bring us real dependable knowlage we can count on.
Lonnie you and your friends are some of the classiest guys I've ever seen. I know some people may not understand my comment, but I believe class is shown in how you live. Thank you for all your hard work I really appreciate it!!!
I Love the truth. Simply told, it does have a certain unmistakable ring to it. "Speed is not the goal, success is the goal". Please keep up the great videos. ✌🏼
Great Job! Never have I seen anyone do that that easy. I have only been able to do it once, and it was years ago......I guess I'll have to play with it again now!
you are one of the few people who say bow drill shouldn't be exhausting BECAUSE you actually understand bow drill! speed and pressure is not linear or constant. it's like driving a car, you have to start with gear 1 and go from there. too much speed and pressure too soon results in burnt wood - like throwing raw meat into an overheated pan (charred outside, raw inside). pressure is the only you can't really teach to others unless you are physically in the same space - everything else is possible to teach. Greetings and respect from Hungary!
Lonnie, my favorite bow driller. Your advice on this subject has allowed me to succeed with wood types that "text books" on this subject advices against. Till this day my best set was a salix spindle on a juniper board.
Thanks Lonnie.... great information to help us newbs. I finally got my bow drill set made and got an ember 1st try. I used french mulberry as a spindle and red cedar hearth. Worked flawlessly. I must say it is a rewarding experience to know you can start a fire from basically nothing. Thanks for all your help.
Ah ha! That’s the trick. I get frustrated more times then not when attempt after attempt fails. Even when I get a lot of dust. Then I run out of steam before I get my ember. I will have to try this out. I just figured it was because I was a woman and didn’t have the upper arm strength to keep going. Thanks for the tips! You are so knowledgeable and thank you for sharing it all and helping others to learn!
I know one master swordmaker. Quite an unusual guy, like these usually are. Skilled in many things, not just forging. You kinda reminded me of his answer to my question about how to make a pipe. "Well, that's simple. You take a piece of wood, some clay, and you make a pipe." And I mean that in the best way, since for me, this sentence kinda symbolises a certain attitude one needs for learining these techniques. Best wishes from Czechia!
Lonnie, you rock! Using your instructions, I made a bowdrill set. I failed the first attempt to get an ember. Came back next day, reworked the bow and spindle (based on rewatching your videos) and got an ember on the first attempt. Got one on the second attempt. Quit while I was ahead. You are a great teacher. I look for a video by you whenever I want to learn anything bushcraft related. I've watched many of your vids. Looking forward to watching all the rest. Thank you, and bless you and Connie and Buck(?). I hope this year brings you all the best in health, prosperity and happiness.
Lonnie, first off, Thank You! I tried bowdrill ember three times with no success and I tried hard. I used a 2x6, and two random woods that I didn't know what they were. I've been running hand and power tools for 25 years and have mastered the gracefullness. So you can imagine the shock when I had no success. After watching a few of your videos, including this one. I was amazed to hear i may be working TO hard. So i gave it another try, and made sure I was lazy about it this time. Low and behold I had an ember in under 45 seconds. I should have figured, I'd have 1 hour of work and three hours on the day yet. So I would put away all the power tool and just use hand tools. And every time that hour of work was done in 30 minutes. Lonnie. Thank you my friend.
My work has apparently already saved lives. I have been told by three different people that what they have learned on my channel has literally saved their lives when they found themselves in a bad situation.
They also don't listen to the SOUND. The sound changes as the dust builds up and the wood dries out and begins to become hot. If you listen, you'll hear what I mean.
What helped me alot was reducing the friction between the drillnand chuck that you press down with. I smeared some bees wax inside the hole of the chuck and that made it slicker than snot after it got hot enough to anneal that wood with the wax. Definitely more of a preventative measure but one nonetheless. Your calm demeanor helps even the most frustrated people learn and understand.
Great demonstration Lonnie. The nuance of bow drill technique is difficult to put into words. You have certainly added a new element to my technique. Thanks for sharing
All of your videos are amazing. I love learning new things amd you are just like my uncle Lonnie who passed away. He always showed me neat survival tricks and how to alaways be prepared. Keep on rocking Mr. Lonnie
Bully NW Primate has told me that he has learned much from my channel and videos. It is also true that I have learned from him as well and I have told him that. I have also directed my viewers to his channel in the past. We are both here to help others learn. If you are here to stir up trouble, it isn't going to work. David West is another man that I have a lot of respect for and consider him a friend of mine. If you watch Davids videos enough, you will realize that he too is an extremely knowledgeable man with friction fire who doesn't try to come across as superior to anyone. He is just a man who loves to experiment with fire methods and loves to share what he knows. It is very clear from watching his videos that he is extremely kniwledgable on the subject but remains humble. He has learned from NW Primate and has said so. I would not be surprised if NW Primate has learned from David as well. The truth is that we all learn from each other. I for one, do not wish to be known as the god of friction fire. My goal is that every one who comes here will take away something useful that will help them on their quest for knowledge. I would not be surprised if David and NW feel the same way about their channels and videos because they strike me both as those sort of men. Your efforts to pit one against another are useless here as I seriously doubt any of us will take the bait.
Bully the Bullies : You are very wrong about David West. He gives him tons of credit, refers to him often, and is in fact the one who mentioned him and linked to him in at least one of his videos. If not for Mr West, I would never have known about NW Primate. Thanks David!
Far North Bushcraft And Survival : Very well said!!! The 3 of you are the most authentic and humble guys in this genera. I have learned so much from the 3 of you! Keep of the great works and thanks for sharing.
I have learned a ton from both Lonnie and David West. I know we all really enjoy these skills and sharing what we learn through experimentation and from each other. Both of David and Lonnie have gone out of their way to mention me in their videos, for which I am both honored and extremely grateful. Seeing Lonnie making friction fire in his difficult environment was one of the things that motivated me to try it in the first place, so while it makes me smile to think that I have shared things that he has found useful, he was definitely well versed in friction fire before he knew I existed. I don't think that BtB was trying to stir up any trouble as he has always left nice comments on my videos in the past, so hopefully we can give him the benefit of the doubt.
Excellent Lonnie, great tip to know. It isn't a race per say, but being patient with it will lead to better success. Absolutely love your vids, and vids your wife provides as well! Thank you, God bless!
Another great video. I was unsuccessful in my first attempts. This has gotten me back on track. Thank you. Nice snow, 47 in the Knik River valley last week.
Thank you Lonnie. And Connie. It's funny how I say what you say before you say it. I'm surprised our paths haven't crossed yet. Maybe someday in the future
Even though I've seen multiple videos on the subject (including yours), I've never succeeded to make a friction fire. I never did, well, because I never tried. But after this particular video, I'm actually going to go for it.
You have made some great points. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I agree with success being the goal. Some people try and rush the process and some things can't or shouldn't be rushed. Thanks to you and Connie. Take care.
Awesome video, now we all know what those people in the survival shows do wrong all the time. After bow drilling, they lost most of their energy and fail.
Great video brother! alot of good information. I think your right, too many people get hung up on speed and forget that it will come later after they have had the success.
If it was a matter of survival & thriving,you would be my pick Lonnie.You couldn't ask for a better teacher. I moved 15 years ago for work from the far north continental to the far south continental states and now live in the Sonora desert.Tree's of that caliber are not too common here.We do have an abundance of Ironwood,which i haven't had a lot of experience with yet.I may have to go a couple hours north to find some decent trees to get a set up.Hey thanks for your tutelage,appreciate it.
I have wanted to start a fire by bow drill but never had the need to do it. So i am currently lurning about the subject so i have the knowledge to try it successfully one day. Great video, keep upp the good work!
Hi Lonnie, I've been enjoying your videos for a while now and I have to say your channel is really the best in the bushcraft and survival theme for me! You have a lot of knowledge. Your calm speech also allows people like me - who are not very good at english - understanding your lectures. Respect, thanks and best regards - also to your Connie - from Germany, Attila
Thank you Lonnie for teaching me some very valuable lessons that I’ve put to use. Also want to thank Your better half Mrs. Connie Far North Bushcraft for the quality camera work and both of you for your time & energy it takes to make these videos! You know your good when you make an ember without even wanting one yet! 👍🏼 👌🏼 Take care & God Bless to you and yours!
Haha! Lonnie made that look easy AND talked through the whole video lol. I see guys that definitely look like they're working to hard and wasting a lot of energy with a bow drill. If you're struggling and grunting in your video and can't talk because you're wrenching down on that bow drill, that's probably the problem. I see tons of UA-camrs doing that. Practice makes perfect and patience is a virtue.
If you are ever in the deserts of Az., get some Sajuaro ribs from a dead one. 10 strokes to ember. Use for fire board and the drill... Thanks, Lonnie...
Awesome ! This is exactly what I discovered when I was trying this for the first time. I was using the wrong type of wood and I would work too hard trying to force it into being. You have to let the tool do the work. I had many failures in the beginning. But I never gave up on it. Lonnie has demonstrated and explained perfectly what I would just call "developing the feel for it".
Pressure made a difference for me, was using far too much of it as well as speed. You helped me obtain my first embers, it was awesome and am now off to the races, thanks!
Very well done indeed :) 100% success. I wonder what kind of wood/woods you used? I normally use only Spruce. I see the Bow & Drill as a real backup fire making method, so I use wood from only one tree and Spruce works for that. I will try this with Spruce for sure.
Survival Russia, I would be very interested in what type of spruce you look for while doing friction fire. Do you look for standing dead spruce? Bark on or off? Punky spruce? The reason I ask you is because I am researching spruce as a friction fire source right now. I was visiting with Lonnie a couple of evenings ago and told him the local elder natives in my area told me they used to use spruce also. Any information you have would be appreciated. Perhaps this could be a video material for you :)
My favorite local friction fire woods are willow and poplar or cottonwood but I have been successful using spruce, cottonwood, willow, alder, aspen and poplar. I have not tried birch yet as I am guessing it would be a difficult wood. I take that back, I have used a dried very decayed piece of birch as a successful hearth board. Will be looking forward to seeing what you come up with on using a spruce set.
Survival Russia haha, nice to see you too bro. you are one of my favorites. wish I knew your name dude. you are seriously a damn good teacher on survival. Lonnie is one of my main guys, I have followed him for a few years, but you are right up there with him and his awesome wife. keep up all you do for us survival Russia. and that is said with tons of love from the united states bro.
Careful with the beard! Kept expecting it to burst into flame along with your tinder... I've never tried a friction fire before but you give me confidence to try, thank you 😊
I agree; I have found in teaching this I will choose not a real soft wood at first like yucca, sotol, etc. since students will bear down too hard with it even though you tell them not to. Cedar, cottonwood, aspen, etc. have been better for them to start with and I still have to emphasize like you were saying to start slow, get a rhythm, and then you can increase the speed and pressure later.
'mornin, Lonnie & Connie; Always a pleasure watching & Learning from ya ! Trial & Error But I didn't give up ! Took a spell but Got It in the end. Scratch 4 Buck ! ATB Ter God Bless
Very good Lonnie, thanks, I sure enjoy your videos, Ill be putting alot to practical use soon, about 40 days, I'll be making the full time move to our remote cabin in Montana, about as remote as you can get in the lower 48, havent got the wife convinced to come your way, YET!, working on it, I spent 3 months last winter in Alaska, unbelievable, loved it! I sure enjoy watching all your postings, thanks again for taking the time! P.S. Your were right on with your video on the lighters, I had that happen recently with my bic, put me in a bind, I now have and carry a zippo set up the way you showed, IT WORKS! much better, thought I was going to freakin freeze when I could not get my fire going at -17 while up in the mountains last month, was actually worried for a short time until I got my fire started. Have a great day and look forward to seeing your next video!!
I really appreciate the information, Lonnie and Connie. Thanks so very much. I still have to find suitable wood for the drill aspect though. Peace be with you.
Whatever you do; never let Beavis and Butthead watch this vid. So many innuendos. Good points by the way. I've never had bow drill success. Encouraged to give it another shot.
Great video Lonnie. Turned away from the screen for a second, when I looked back it looked like your beard was on fire when you were blowing on it. Great Technic, will have to give it a go.
You seem like such a great guy. Thanks for taking s much of your time teaching us so many useful skills. I love backpacking and I will go out for days to weeks at a time alone in the mountains. Nothing makes me happier. So I like having some backup skills at my disposal should the situation occur where I need them.
A long time ago I was in my backyard trying to do this for like 3 hrs lol and still couldn't get it but I think I'm going to try it again now that you put it that way.
"Success is the goal. Not a speed. Start with 60% power. Slow move." ... It sounds just like a life. Thank you, Lonnie san.
“Success is the goal” - Lonnie
Great demo. I love it that you are so good that you achieved an ember accidentally before you meant to!
No wonder why I was never able to start a fire the way I used to do it. I'll try your method next time. And save energy too.
I’ve never seen a more calm, relaxed bow drill fire. It excites me to keep trying. Thanks for sharing!
i SUCK at friction fire have not even tried in a long time ... after watching this video i think i seen several things i was doing wrong think i will try it again... thanks guys
Well I've been working at this for quite some time. This witchery he preforms is quite humbling. Dude makes a fire as he takes a nap in the snow. Well done vet!
You make it look so effortless, thanks Lonnie and Connie!
snakemonkey555 I agree, he makes it look so easy!!! I want to try it some time
So true, Lonnie! Friction fire became almost easy even with woods that aren't supposed to work once I stopped trying to use brute force. With inspiration from your videos I started seriously studying the process. Skill is the key not labor.
most of all show Lonnie and Connie the deepest love for the work they do. they are pillars in our community. they bring us real dependable knowlage we can count on.
I think you are the calmest person I ever saw use a bow drill to make fire. Usually people go into a frenzy. Great tips, thanks for sharing.
Lonnie you and your friends are some of the classiest guys I've ever seen. I know some people may not understand my comment, but I believe class is shown in how you live. Thank you for all your hard work I really appreciate it!!!
That was the easiest I have ever seen that done! Can’t wait to try it when we go camping,
thanks as always
I Love the truth. Simply told, it does have a certain unmistakable ring to it.
"Speed is not the goal, success is the goal".
Please keep up the great videos. ✌🏼
Agreed, especially when handrill comes to play. It’s all about pressure and speed based off of the materials.
Your voice and demeanor really helps me and i'm sure others absorb your teachings...Can't get enough..Thanks you two!
Good advice Lonnie. Let the bow do the work. It's like any tool.
Once again, Lonnie, you are a pure genius at fire making! Thanks...
From my experience too I noticed that seasoned wood, especially wood that has been laying out in the sun on top of hills works good.
Great Job! Never have I seen anyone do that that easy. I have only been able to do it once, and it was years ago......I guess I'll have to play with it again now!
you are one of the few people who say bow drill shouldn't be exhausting BECAUSE you actually understand bow drill! speed and pressure is not linear or constant. it's like driving a car, you have to start with gear 1 and go from there. too much speed and pressure too soon results in burnt wood - like throwing raw meat into an overheated pan (charred outside, raw inside).
pressure is the only you can't really teach to others unless you are physically in the same space - everything else is possible to teach.
Greetings and respect from Hungary!
Think you hit the nail on the head with their problem,most want it now,faster the better. Thanks for sharing!
Very well said Lonnie .. Most people think it,s speed that gets the ember ... Great video Sir...
You and your wife are amazing. And I thank you for the great lesson and adventure. Live in peace.
Good point! Will have to try soon!
You make it look so easy ... Others look very hurried about the process ... Great video
Lonnie, my favorite bow driller. Your advice on this subject has allowed me to succeed with wood types that "text books" on this subject advices against. Till this day my best set was a salix spindle on a juniper board.
That is always very encouraging for me to hear that my videos have helped people to succeed.
This reminds me of the movie Castaway where it took Tom Hanks all day to start a fire. Great video!
I have watched so many videos on this and you make it look so easy. and you are right, people seem to rush it. Love your videos.
Thanks Lonnie.... great information to help us newbs. I finally got my bow drill set made and got an ember 1st try. I used french mulberry as a spindle and red cedar hearth. Worked flawlessly. I must say it is a rewarding experience to know you can start a fire from basically nothing. Thanks for all your help.
Ah ha! That’s the trick. I get frustrated more times then not when attempt after attempt fails. Even when I get a lot of dust. Then I run out of steam before I get my ember. I will have to try this out. I just figured it was because I was a woman and didn’t have the upper arm strength to keep going. Thanks for the tips! You are so knowledgeable and thank you for sharing it all and helping others to learn!
I know one master swordmaker. Quite an unusual guy, like these usually are. Skilled in many things, not just forging. You kinda reminded me of his answer to my question about how to make a pipe. "Well, that's simple. You take a piece of wood, some clay, and you make a pipe." And I mean that in the best way, since for me, this sentence kinda symbolises a certain attitude one needs for learining these techniques. Best wishes from Czechia!
Fire is transformation. As you said, "speed is not the object'. Lower pressure allows the friction surfaces time to transform. Masterfully done.
A Very Good Demo for the "Bow Drill" Lonnie. Thanks.
Hi Lonnie and Connie, another quality video, thanks for sharing! Rock On!
Lonnie, you rock! Using your instructions, I made a bowdrill set. I failed the first attempt to get an ember. Came back next day, reworked the bow and spindle (based on rewatching your videos) and got an ember on the first attempt. Got one on the second attempt. Quit while I was ahead.
You are a great teacher. I look for a video by you whenever I want to learn anything bushcraft related.
I've watched many of your vids. Looking forward to watching all the rest.
Thank you, and bless you and Connie and Buck(?). I hope this year brings you all the best in health, prosperity and happiness.
Lonnie, first off, Thank You! I tried bowdrill ember three times with no success and I tried hard. I used a 2x6, and two random woods that I didn't know what they were. I've been running hand and power tools for 25 years and have mastered the gracefullness. So you can imagine the shock when I had no success. After watching a few of your videos, including this one. I was amazed to hear i may be working TO hard. So i gave it another try, and made sure I was lazy about it this time. Low and behold I had an ember in under 45 seconds. I should have figured, I'd have 1 hour of work and three hours on the day yet. So I would put away all the power tool and just use hand tools. And every time that hour of work was done in 30 minutes. Lonnie. Thank you my friend.
That is awesome my friend. Glad you had success. I'm happy for you.
Value in every one of your videos. Your work may even save lives someday. Well done brother
My work has apparently already saved lives. I have been told by three different people that what they have learned on my channel has literally saved their lives when they found themselves in a bad situation.
You are the Master !!!!!
They also don't listen to the SOUND.
The sound changes as the dust builds up and the wood dries out and begins to become hot.
If you listen, you'll hear what I mean.
Thanks Lonnie, I need all the help I can get with my bow drill fire making skills. Thanks Connie for video taping.
What helped me alot was reducing the friction between the drillnand chuck that you press down with. I smeared some bees wax inside the hole of the chuck and that made it slicker than snot after it got hot enough to anneal that wood with the wax. Definitely more of a preventative measure but one nonetheless. Your calm demeanor helps even the most frustrated people learn and understand.
Great demonstration Lonnie. The nuance of bow drill technique is difficult to put into words. You have certainly added a new element to my technique. Thanks for sharing
All of your videos are amazing. I love learning new things amd you are just like my uncle Lonnie who passed away. He always showed me neat survival tricks and how to alaways be prepared. Keep on rocking Mr. Lonnie
Great advice! I think this video is going to end up helping a lot of people. 👍
Bully the Bullies can’t agree more...
Bully NW Primate has told me that he has learned much from my channel and videos. It is also true that I have learned from him as well and I have told him that. I have also directed my viewers to his channel in the past. We are both here to help others learn. If you are here to stir up trouble, it isn't going to work. David West is another man that I have a lot of respect for and consider him a friend of mine. If you watch Davids videos enough, you will realize that he too is an extremely knowledgeable man with friction fire who doesn't try to come across as superior to anyone. He is just a man who loves to experiment with fire methods and loves to share what he knows. It is very clear from watching his videos that he is extremely kniwledgable on the subject but remains humble. He has learned from NW Primate and has said so. I would not be surprised if NW Primate has learned from David as well. The truth is that we all learn from each other. I for one, do not wish to be known as the god of friction fire. My goal is that every one who comes here will take away something useful that will help them on their quest for knowledge. I would not be surprised if David and NW feel the same way about their channels and videos because they strike me both as those sort of men. Your efforts to pit one against another are useless here as I seriously doubt any of us will take the bait.
Bully the Bullies : You are very wrong about David West. He gives him tons of credit, refers to him often, and is in fact the one who mentioned him and linked to him in at least one of his videos. If not for Mr West, I would never have known about NW Primate. Thanks David!
Far North Bushcraft And Survival : Very well said!!! The 3 of you are the most authentic and humble guys in this genera. I have learned so much from the 3 of you! Keep of the great works and thanks for sharing.
I have learned a ton from both Lonnie and David West. I know we all really enjoy these skills and sharing what we learn through experimentation and from each other. Both of David and Lonnie have gone out of their way to mention me in their videos, for which I am both honored and extremely grateful.
Seeing Lonnie making friction fire in his difficult environment was one of the things that motivated me to try it in the first place, so while it makes me smile to think that I have shared things that he has found useful, he was definitely well versed in friction fire before he knew I existed.
I don't think that BtB was trying to stir up any trouble as he has always left nice comments on my videos in the past, so hopefully we can give him the benefit of the doubt.
Been watching your stuff for years, you are awesome!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I find your videos are by far the best instructional ones on UA-cam
Excellent Lonnie, great tip to know. It isn't a race per say, but being patient with it will lead to better success.
Absolutely love your vids, and vids your wife provides as well!
Thank you, God bless!
Another great video. I was unsuccessful in my first attempts. This has gotten me back on track. Thank you. Nice snow, 47 in the Knik River valley last week.
Thank you Lonnie. And Connie. It's funny how I say what you say before you say it. I'm surprised our paths haven't crossed yet. Maybe someday in the future
Excellent video brotha! I agree 100%! Thank you
JIUJITSU2000 nice to see you again bro. still gratfull on the advice you gave me on my svea. keep up all that you do for us jiujitsu
Seems experiance is the best teacher. Great video, thanks for sharing
Even though I've seen multiple videos on the subject (including yours), I've never succeeded to make a friction fire. I never did, well, because I never tried. But after this particular video, I'm actually going to go for it.
You have made some great points. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I agree with success being the goal. Some people try and rush the process and some things can't or shouldn't be rushed. Thanks to you and Connie. Take care.
Awesome video, now we all know what those people in the survival shows do wrong all the time. After bow drilling, they lost most of their energy and fail.
Never seen that done. New thing for me and the kids to try. Thank you for investing your findings. Great video
Great video brother! alot of good information. I think your right, too many people get hung up on speed and forget that it will come later after they have had the success.
great vid your the only one in my opinion that can give me the confidance to do the bow drill , thank you ,from the uk
If it was a matter of survival & thriving,you would be my pick Lonnie.You couldn't ask for a better teacher.
I moved 15 years ago for work from the far north continental to the far south continental states and now live in the Sonora desert.Tree's of that caliber are not too common here.We do have an abundance of Ironwood,which i haven't had a lot of experience with yet.I may have to go a couple hours north to find some decent trees to get a set up.Hey thanks for your tutelage,appreciate it.
I have wanted to start a fire by bow drill but never had the need to do it. So i am currently lurning about the subject so i have the knowledge to try it successfully one day. Great video, keep upp the good work!
Explained to the nitty gritty! Thanks Lonnie and Connie.
Hi Lonnie, I've been enjoying your videos for a while now and I have to say your channel is really the best in the bushcraft and survival theme for me! You have a lot of knowledge. Your calm speech also allows people like me - who are not very good at english - understanding your lectures. Respect, thanks and best regards - also to your Connie - from Germany, Attila
Thank you Lonnie for teaching me some very valuable lessons that I’ve put to use. Also want to thank Your better half Mrs. Connie Far North Bushcraft for the quality camera work and both of you for your time & energy it takes to make these videos! You know your good when you make an ember without even wanting one yet! 👍🏼 👌🏼 Take care & God Bless to you and yours!
Haha! Lonnie made that look easy AND talked through the whole video lol. I see guys that definitely look like they're working to hard and wasting a lot of energy with a bow drill. If you're struggling and grunting in your video and can't talk because you're wrenching down on that bow drill, that's probably the problem. I see tons of UA-camrs doing that. Practice makes perfect and patience is a virtue.
If you are ever in the deserts of Az., get some Sajuaro ribs from a dead one. 10 strokes to ember. Use for fire board and the drill... Thanks, Lonnie...
Awesome ! This is exactly what I discovered when I was trying this for the first time. I was using the wrong type of wood and I would work too hard trying to force it into being. You have to let the tool do the work. I had many failures in the beginning. But I never gave up on it. Lonnie has demonstrated and explained perfectly what I would just call "developing the feel for it".
Pressure made a difference for me, was using far too much of it as well as speed. You helped me obtain my first embers, it was awesome and am now off to the races, thanks!
Very well done indeed :) 100% success. I wonder what kind of wood/woods you used? I normally use only Spruce. I see the Bow & Drill as a real backup fire making method, so I use wood from only one tree and Spruce works for that. I will try this with Spruce for sure.
Survival Russia, I would be very interested in what type of spruce you look for while doing friction fire. Do you look for standing dead spruce? Bark on or off? Punky spruce? The reason I ask you is because I am researching spruce as a friction fire source right now. I was visiting with Lonnie a couple of evenings ago and told him the local elder natives in my area told me they used to use spruce also. Any information you have would be appreciated. Perhaps this could be a video material for you :)
I use dead standing spruce. Maybe I will go out and try this method here tomorrow:) If so, a video will be coming up.
My favorite local friction fire woods are willow and poplar or cottonwood but I have been successful using spruce, cottonwood, willow, alder, aspen and poplar. I have not tried birch yet as I am guessing it would be a difficult wood. I take that back, I have used a dried very decayed piece of birch as a successful hearth board. Will be looking forward to seeing what you come up with on using a spruce set.
Survival Russia haha, nice to see you too bro. you are one of my favorites. wish I knew your name dude. you are seriously a damn good teacher on survival. Lonnie is one of my main guys, I have followed him for a few years, but you are right up there with him and his awesome wife. keep up all you do for us survival Russia. and that is said with tons of love from the united states bro.
Careful with the beard! Kept expecting it to burst into flame along with your tinder...
I've never tried a friction fire before but you give me confidence to try, thank you 😊
thank you lonnie, you are very smart and calculating.. love and peace. mike from kentucky usa
I agree; I have found in teaching this I will choose not a real soft wood at first like yucca, sotol, etc. since students will bear down too hard with it even though you tell them not to. Cedar, cottonwood, aspen, etc. have been better for them to start with and I still have to emphasize like you were saying to start slow, get a rhythm, and then you can increase the speed and pressure later.
I think that is exactly what I was doing wrong!! Going to give it a try as soon as I can. Thanks
good to see you back!
Thanks so much Lonnie! As so often in life, it’s the little things that have a huge impact on success.
'mornin, Lonnie & Connie; Always a pleasure watching & Learning from ya ! Trial & Error But I didn't give up ! Took a spell but Got It in the end. Scratch 4 Buck ! ATB Ter God Bless
Thanks. That's the best how to make fire video I've seen.
Good one Lonnie.....was almost like, oops, I made an ember!
Balance of speed and power, takes time... practice at home... once you get it, do it once a day for a week or more ... muscle memory.
Very good Lonnie, thanks, I sure enjoy your videos, Ill be putting alot to practical use soon, about 40 days, I'll be making the full time move to our remote cabin in Montana, about as remote as you can get in the lower 48, havent got the wife convinced to come your way, YET!, working on it, I spent 3 months last winter in Alaska, unbelievable, loved it! I sure enjoy watching all your postings, thanks again for taking the time! P.S. Your were right on with your video on the lighters, I had that happen recently with my bic, put me in a bind, I now have and carry a zippo set up the way you showed, IT WORKS! much better, thought I was going to freakin freeze when I could not get my fire going at -17 while up in the mountains last month, was actually worried for a short time until I got my fire started. Have a great day and look forward to seeing your next video!!
These videos are excellent. I'm hoping to retire to the Northwoods in New York ,this will come in handy.
Great information and a fantastic demonstration as usual my friend! Thank you for sharing all you do Lonnie and Connie! God bless.
The zen of fire. Well done!
I really appreciate the information, Lonnie and Connie. Thanks so very much. I still have to find suitable wood for the drill aspect though. Peace be with you.
I always like to keep fire away from me. Don't know why... ;)
Thanks for another great video, C & L!
Oh my word ! you made that look so easy, has to be the most effortless bow drill fire light I've seen. Impressive Lonnie and not forgetting Connie :-)
Wanted to say thanks for the great advice,, my fires are so effortless now!! 💪thanks again
That is awesome. Congratulations on your achievements.
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time and sharing all this useful info in your videos! I really appreciate it!!!
-Max
Excellent vid Lonny and Connie Holy macrel you make it look so easy. Im gonna give it another shot Thanks!
This guy is a legend
Thanks Lonnie and Connie! Take care-Phil
first. Good to see you again Lonnie :D
Whatever you do; never let Beavis and Butthead watch this vid. So many innuendos.
Good points by the way. I've never had bow drill success. Encouraged to give it another shot.
Thank you for your tips Lonie!
Stay safe and keep having fun!
Nicely demonstrated and very clearly explained Lonnie. I'm thinking sometimes we just try to hard. Also that is my favorite board style.
I truly love what you do sir and ma'am! So educational.
Yes sir, had issues with palm. Would eat through the hearth before ignition, practice makes perfect.
Great video Lonnie. Turned away from the screen for a second, when I looked back it looked like your beard was on fire when you were blowing on it. Great Technic, will have to give it a go.
You seem like such a great guy. Thanks for taking s much of your time teaching us so many useful skills. I love backpacking and I will go out for days to weeks at a time alone in the mountains. Nothing makes me happier. So I like having some backup skills at my disposal should the situation occur where I need them.
Very good information Lonnie. Maybe it's not a difficult as I think when using the proper material and technique. Thanks for sharing!!
A long time ago I was in my backyard trying to do this for like 3 hrs lol and still couldn't get it but I think I'm going to try it again now that you put it that way.