Thank you so much for this video, this is the first one I've seen that really takes me through the whole process. It's a privilege to be able to watch and learn from you.
One of the best, If not the best, tutorials on how to achieve a fire from a bow drill that I have ever seen. Very well articulated and top notch visual representations. My hat's off to you Dave.
Probably the best description of the bow drill I have ever seen, very clear instruction, now I know what to do when I construct my new kit. Thanks Dave I appreciate you sharing this. Keith
As always , a very informative video with proper instruction and the right details included for success. I've never ceased learning from you. Many thanks and keep em' coming , Dave !
Great demonstration Dave! Have you ever tried using fatwood for your bearing block? If not, you're going to love it. The heat brings out the sap and makes it self-lubricating and almost as friction free as a rotating block.
This is the best bow drill instructional video I have watched yet. Awesome job Dave, and I thank you. The whole shebang, from start to finish, and you explained each step in clear detail. I can't wait to get out and try it now. You really are a food teacher. Thanks again.
By far the best training I've seen on the subject. Your teaching style takes me back to my military days. Excellent. If I had the time and money I'd bring my son to your school. He's only 5... Godwilling, it's possible. Thank you for your services. God bless!
...the single best instructional video on the bow drill method that I have ever seen. Thanks much Dave, and I will certainly be sharing this with the Boy Scouts of our Troop, and as many others as possible. Great video. Thanks again...
Thank you, Dave, for posting such a great video! It is one of the most detailed, helpful and educational videos regarding the bow-drill. Thanks for all you do.
I've been teaching bow-drill since 1992, this is the best filmed demonstration/ instruction of bow-drill that I've seen yet. I don't do things exactly the way you do but everything your doing makes as much sense as how I do it. Thanks for emphasizing not hurrying with the ember, so many people lose embers that way. One other bearing block idea is an ankle bone from an elk (or cow) By the way AXE ON JUNKIE
Hey Dave, Thanks for another great video. My bow drill set consists of a cedar plank about 3/4” x 1 1/2” x 8”, a cedar spinal about 3/4” x 8” with a string grove notch about 2” from the top, an oyster shell for a baring block, and a willow branch about 18” with notches and a paracord bow string. I keep it in a tube I hollowed out from 3” diameter Bamboo and sealed with beeswax and with a carved friction cap and paracord sling. I padded both the cap and the bottom of the tube with cedar bark that I shredded and pressed Into place. This padding also insures I always have extra dry tender on hand. There is enough room in the tube to carry the tender I collected on my last outing and dried in my dehydrator at home. I find that the humidity of NW Florida it is difficult to keep tender “spark” dry with natural materials but it can be done.
By far the best bow drill fire video I've ever seen. Thanks Dave! Not only are you a master woodsman, you are a GREAT teacher as well. Amazing. Thanks again!
Dave you are the man. You put so much time and effort in helping people with your videos. I want to thank you for everything you do. Keep up the great job you do. I'll be watching you from Florida.
I thought I had it memorized perfectly, but I did not know about the chamfer underneath or placing the piece of bark underneath to hold the ember. It seems rewatching some of these videos is not a bad idea. Your channel and one carving channel are the only channels where I will go back and rewatch videos like this. I always pick up something I missed before. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Thank you for such a comprehensive bow drill lesson. You made it easy to follow and understand. Very much appreciate your videos. I look forward to the release of your newest book.
Dave I gotta say that's the best instructional video I've seen on using the bow drill. I've see a bunch of them but this one brought out and added things the others left out. Hats off to ya pal. I saved this one cause I'll need it later for sure. God Bless.
You make it look too damn easy! The way I was taught was so polar opposite of your technique! I cannot wait to try you style. Keep doing what you do Dave!
Thank you for the in-depth video. Reminds me of your old videos.. Any chance of you ever going all the way back to your first videos and update all the videos where you are making things? everything from your flintknapping and bundle bows up to your more recent springpole lathe. Maybe even one built in the field, with your self reliance tools only.. It would be a dream come true.. Again, thank you.
Great video Dave. I this will help me a lot. I've been trying to get the bow drill set down but have had little success. I saw a couple things I've been doing wrong. Mainly not staring off slow to built up a base for a ember to drop on to. I now look forward to trying it again.
I can’t thank you enough for making this video. About an hour ago I made an ember and lit my bird’s nest! Now it’s time to start practicing with other species.
Thanks Dave for explaining all the technical aspects of doing this. I have failed at this many times. I think the next time I try this I will pay more attention to the small details you mentioned and I bet I will be successful. Thanks again for the awesome content. God Bless.
Good Morning Dave, thanks for a very informative video on the Bow Drill. I am looking forward to your buschcraft book. I am new to bushcraft although during my navy and boyscout years I did some woodcraft skills this is one of the many skills that I am trying to master. I have learned a lot from your videos.
Great video. Although I would’ve liked to see you use that “hardwood hand hold” that you made. Thanks for putting this step by step video together, I did enjoy it.
This is a really great video. Very detailed. You walked us novices through the entire process. I have seen lots of times it was used, and thought I understood it. I didn't, but now I do. Thanks!
Great video, really clear careful. understandable & well explained lesson. Just one thing - you showed making a top bearing, used it to burn in, then abandoned it in favour of your steel bearing block. Great product placement, but how would it be with the original bearing block - would be good to see that & compare.
So many small steps I skipped when trying this. Will try again. How do you know when to stop bowing, how do you know its not just smoke but that you have an ember. Great video. Thanks.
Hi Dave, love your videos. So I tried using a bow drill this weekend while camping at a provincial park. I made the top and bottom using firewood the park sold (I think it was birch|), and used a fallen branch to form the pencil. I remembered enough of this video to cut the divots. Thing was, the fat end never blackened. At best I got a good polish with just a hint of darkening. Meanwhile the pointy end would round down and start to smoke! So why didn't the fat end ever blacken and smoke like it should? Thanks for any advice.
Also, last time I tried this my spindle started squeeking like crazy and got almost glassy. I was using cedar in California. I got an ember though, best attempt so far. Will try again in Maine this summer, maybe with the pine up there?
I would try birch. I have't tried it yet (doesn't grow in my southern swamp), but something tells me that might be a good place to start. Anybody else have an idea?
Excellent instructions David. Luckily, we have an abundance of ceder & hardwood on Planet Arkansas. Have ya ever tried placing the notch directly on the birds nest above the fine fiber tender? Eliminates the need for a welcome mat & no transfer required.
Great video Dave. You've added a lot of good material compared to your last bowdrill video. I kept waiting to jump in, but you had it all down. But I have a riddle for you. On the notch. The size for soft wood. Is it an oxygen thing? Or is it a hot dust meeting the hot spindle at the precise moment? Because a wide notch let's the colder dust spill out of the way. And as it gets hotter, I believe it's timed right and ignights . IDK what do you think?
New subscriber here; Loving the channel (referred by Biker Bushcraft). I've never tried a bow drill and I definitely learned a lot watching this video (I'm in the West where the wood is dry). Something I read quite a while back is that the top of the spindle can be lubricated with the oils from your body in order to reduce friction; particularly by rubbing the tip wherever oils accumulate, particularly the face; such as on either side of the base of your nose. Is this effective or just bunk?
Dave great video I would love to see more videos like this in-depth on how to do things great work thank you. I will have to go out and get stuff to try this on my own
Thanks Dave. I see my notches havn't been just right and that is why my ember pile is weak. I get fire every time but I usually struggle with the weak ember. Size matters.
Love this. One question: When you talk about cutting out a bit on the bottom side of the notch in your base plate to allow for airflow, is there a reason you wouldn't make that cut bigger? Meaning, why wouldn't you cut a triangular shape out of the horizontal side of the notch to allow the most amount of air in as possible instead of straight down most of the way? Is that just more work than it's worth or does that make too much space for the coals to get lost or what? I'm sorry if I'm describing that in a confusing way.
Great video. I can't wait for your book to hit the shelf. Off subject, could you do a video on your tattoos? I noticed that they greatly symbolize your lifestyle and family and I would be interested in seeing the meaning of some of them. Thanks!
Cant wait till the book comes out, I have had Both 101, And Advanced since they were Published, Im in the Far north east Texas Panhandle, Cedar is the prefferd wood here, Its what i use and teach to my son. Thanks for what you Do For the community.
I have long missed these type of detailed educational videos from you, Dave. Thanks for the effort you put into this.
Those instructions are MILES ahead of anything else I have seen on the bow saw and it’s use. Thanks David!
Thank you so much for this video, this is the first one I've seen that really takes me through the whole process. It's a privilege to be able to watch and learn from you.
Thank god someone finally showed how to do a bow drill fire properly, dave you are a gift that keeps giving . Keep up the good work !
nolan
One of the best, If not the best, tutorials on how to achieve a fire from a bow drill that I have ever seen. Very well articulated and top notch visual representations. My hat's off to you Dave.
Probably the best description of the bow drill I have ever seen, very clear instruction, now I know what to do when I construct my new kit. Thanks Dave I appreciate you sharing this.
Keith
As always , a very informative video with proper instruction and the right details included for success. I've never ceased learning from you. Many thanks and keep em' coming , Dave !
Great video, Dave. Cant wait for the new book.
Hands down the best instructional video on this subject I have ever watched.
Great demonstration Dave! Have you ever tried using fatwood for your bearing block? If not, you're going to love it. The heat brings out the sap and makes it self-lubricating and almost as friction free as a rotating block.
Excellent as always. Thanks for sharing.
This is the best bow drill instructional video I have watched yet. Awesome job Dave, and I thank you. The whole shebang, from start to finish, and you explained each step in clear detail. I can't wait to get out and try it now. You really are a food teacher.
Thanks again.
Outstanding.
Thanks Dave. This is the best instructional on using a bow drill I've seen. And I've seen a LOT of them.
By far the best training I've seen on the subject. Your teaching style takes me back to my military days. Excellent. If I had the time and money I'd bring my son to your school. He's only 5... Godwilling, it's possible. Thank you for your services. God bless!
...the single best instructional video on the bow drill method that I have ever seen. Thanks much Dave, and I will certainly be sharing this with the Boy Scouts of our Troop, and as many others as possible. Great video. Thanks again...
Thank you, Dave, for posting such a great video! It is one of the most detailed, helpful and educational videos regarding the bow-drill. Thanks for all you do.
I've been teaching bow-drill since 1992, this is the best filmed demonstration/ instruction of bow-drill that I've seen yet. I don't do things exactly the way you do but everything your doing makes as much sense as how I do it. Thanks for emphasizing not hurrying with the ember, so many people lose embers that way.
One other bearing block idea is an ankle bone from an elk (or cow)
By the way AXE ON JUNKIE
Absolutely the best bow drill fire video I have ever seen! Thank you 👍
47kcr yep
Hey Dave, Thanks for another great video. My bow drill set consists of a cedar plank about 3/4” x 1 1/2” x 8”, a cedar spinal about 3/4” x 8” with a string grove notch about 2” from the top, an oyster shell for a baring block, and a willow branch about 18” with notches and a paracord bow string. I keep it in a tube I hollowed out from 3” diameter Bamboo and sealed with beeswax and with a carved friction cap and paracord sling. I padded both the cap and the bottom of the tube with cedar bark that I shredded and pressed Into place. This padding also insures I always have extra dry tender on hand. There is enough room in the tube to carry the tender I collected on my last outing and dried in my dehydrator at home.
I find that the humidity of NW Florida it is difficult to keep tender “spark” dry with natural materials but it can be done.
By far the best bow drill fire video I've ever seen. Thanks Dave! Not only are you a master woodsman, you are a GREAT teacher as well. Amazing. Thanks again!
Wow Dave. I am floored. This is the type of instruction that truly teaches. No ember left behind.
Dave you are the man. You put so much time and effort in helping people with your videos. I want to thank you for everything you do. Keep up the great job you do. I'll be watching you from Florida.
Great instructional video Dave! Much appreciated! The best video ever on how to do a bow drill.
One of your most informative videos for a while. Very good information that clarifies a lot of nuances about the bow drill.
I thought I had it memorized perfectly, but I did not know about the chamfer underneath or placing the piece of bark underneath to hold the ember. It seems rewatching some of these videos is not a bad idea. Your channel and one carving channel are the only channels where I will go back and rewatch videos like this. I always pick up something I missed before. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.
Thank you for such a comprehensive bow drill lesson. You made it easy to follow and understand. Very much appreciate your videos. I look forward to the release of your newest book.
You do a great job with the teaching / instructional videos Dave. As always, thank you!
Dave thank you for all that great information you gave to us. I am practicing in bushcraft and you are my favorite teacher.
Dave I gotta say that's the best instructional video I've seen on using the bow drill. I've see a bunch of them but this one brought out and added things the others left out. Hats off to ya pal. I saved this one cause I'll need it later for sure. God Bless.
You make it look too damn easy! The way I was taught was so polar opposite of your technique! I cannot wait to try you style. Keep doing what you do Dave!
Thank you for the in-depth video. Reminds me of your old videos.. Any chance of you ever going all the way back to your first videos and update all the videos where you are making things? everything from your flintknapping and bundle bows up to your more recent springpole lathe. Maybe even one built in the field, with your self reliance tools only.. It would be a dream come true.. Again, thank you.
As always I always find time to watch your videos, very educational.
Thank you Dave 👌🇬🇧
You're a great teacher Dave. As always, thank you.
Not that you need to be told, but very clear & concise instructions Dave. Great job, enjoyed the vid.
Great video Dave. I this will help me a lot. I've been trying to get the bow drill set down but have had little success. I saw a couple things I've been doing wrong. Mainly not staring off slow to built up a base for a ember to drop on to. I now look forward to trying it again.
BEST video I've seen yet on using Bowdrill for primitive fire!!!
I can’t thank you enough for making this video. About an hour ago I made an ember and lit my bird’s nest! Now it’s time to start practicing with other species.
Great video most instructors teach rushing through I like your approach of taking your time to do it right. Thanks Dave.
Thanks Dave for explaining all the technical aspects of doing this. I have failed at this many times. I think the next time I try this I will pay more attention to the small details you mentioned and I bet I will be successful. Thanks again for the awesome content. God Bless.
Love these videos!!! great work Dave. Taking my Scouts out in a few weeks to demo this technique...will be watching this 100 more times...thanks
Great educational video! I can't wait to get out into the woods and try it! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world!
Been following your vids for years and you’re still teaching me something new!
Awesome video Dave. Excited for the new book. I need something else to read.
Good Morning Dave, thanks for a very informative video on the Bow Drill. I am looking forward to your buschcraft book. I am new to bushcraft although during my navy and boyscout years I did some woodcraft skills this is one of the many skills that I am trying to master. I have learned a lot from your videos.
Thank you for the great video as someone just getting into bushcraft and spending time in the outdoors I can't wait to try this
Awsome video Dave! Thank you for the detailed refresher on this misunderstood topic. Thanks for the work you put into these
Watching you make a fire is like magic every time. From stuff sitting in the woods to flame with very little effort shown.
Great video. Although I would’ve liked to see you use that “hardwood hand hold” that you made. Thanks for putting this step by step video together, I did enjoy it.
Thank you Dave that was very thorough, Can’t wait for the book to come out!
Dave, can't wait for your book! You're the man!
Dave, thank you so much for all you do! You're my greatest mentor!
Man I have been trying to do a bow drill for a couple weeks now and this helped me so much. Thanks buddy
This is a really great video. Very detailed. You walked us novices through the entire process. I have seen lots of times it was used, and thought I understood it. I didn't, but now I do. Thanks!
Great video, really clear careful. understandable & well explained lesson. Just one thing - you showed making a top bearing, used it to burn in, then abandoned it in favour of your steel bearing block. Great product placement, but how would it be with the original bearing block - would be good to see that & compare.
So many small steps I skipped when trying this. Will try again. How do you know when to stop bowing, how do you know its not just smoke but that you have an ember. Great video. Thanks.
Thanks for the knowledge, and taking time to share. Dave brother you make it look so simple, you are truly talented! God bless
Best bow drill video I've seen. Thank you brother!
Hi Dave, love your videos.
So I tried using a bow drill this weekend while camping at a provincial park. I made the top and bottom using firewood the park sold (I think it was birch|), and used a fallen branch to form the pencil. I remembered enough of this video to cut the divots.
Thing was, the fat end never blackened. At best I got a good polish with just a hint of darkening. Meanwhile the pointy end would round down and start to smoke! So why didn't the fat end ever blacken and smoke like it should? Thanks for any advice.
Dave I think that's the best video in a long time. The detail was amazing.
You truly are a master of your craft! Great video Dave thank you!
Great video
Great educational video showing the process step by step. Thank you for sharing.
Also, last time I tried this my spindle started squeeking like crazy and got almost glassy. I was using cedar in California. I got an ember though, best attempt so far. Will try again in Maine this summer, maybe with the pine up there?
I would try birch. I have't tried it yet (doesn't grow in my southern swamp), but something tells me that might be a good place to start. Anybody else have an idea?
Another great video keep up the great work I really like the detailed information thanks
Excellent instructions David. Luckily, we have an abundance of ceder & hardwood on Planet Arkansas. Have ya ever tried placing the notch directly on the birds nest above the fine fiber tender? Eliminates the need for a welcome mat & no transfer required.
Thanks for this Dave. Like all your vids , you explain this very well and easy to understand . My goal this year is to master this.
Great video Dave. You've added a lot of good material compared to your last bowdrill video. I kept waiting to jump in, but you had it all down.
But I have a riddle for you. On the notch. The size for soft wood. Is it an oxygen thing? Or is it a hot dust meeting the hot spindle at the precise moment? Because a wide notch let's the colder dust spill out of the way. And as it gets hotter, I believe it's timed right and ignights . IDK what do you think?
New subscriber here; Loving the channel (referred by Biker Bushcraft). I've never tried a bow drill and I definitely learned a lot watching this video (I'm in the West where the wood is dry). Something I read quite a while back is that the top of the spindle can be lubricated with the oils from your body in order to reduce friction; particularly by rubbing the tip wherever oils accumulate, particularly the face; such as on either side of the base of your nose. Is this effective or just bunk?
A great instructional video. Thank you.
Dave great video I would love to see more videos like this in-depth on how to do things great work thank you. I will have to go out and get stuff to try this on my own
Great video Dave !! Thanks so much .. that was the best demonstration ever showed !!
Thanks Dave. I see my notches havn't been just right and that is why my ember pile is weak. I get fire every time but I usually struggle with the weak ember. Size matters.
It's crazy how much wisdom and knowledge you can fit in a brain. I love learning more than anything. Memory power
Awesome video, thanks
You showed and explained very well taken your time to make fire. Thank you Dave
After watching this video I went out and nailed my first bow drill fire thanks for sharing your knowledge.
The only teacher that won't put a student to sleep. Excellent class.
Great illustration, thanks.
Love this. One question: When you talk about cutting out a bit on the bottom side of the notch in your base plate to allow for airflow, is there a reason you wouldn't make that cut bigger? Meaning, why wouldn't you cut a triangular shape out of the horizontal side of the notch to allow the most amount of air in as possible instead of straight down most of the way? Is that just more work than it's worth or does that make too much space for the coals to get lost or what? I'm sorry if I'm describing that in a confusing way.
Dave thanks so much for this videos it is the best explanation I've seen. Keep up the good work and can't wait to get ur new book.
Great educational video. Thanks for the context too.
Best lesson on the bow drill yet. Thanks Dave
Perfect. Just what I needed. Thanks Dave!
That was a great video Dave, thank you!
This is the best bow drill video I have ever saw.
Excellent information brother.
Very well done. Thank you.
Thanks Dave! I really learned a lot from this video. I appreciate you doing this
Thumbs up man really good video. Very detailed. I learned a lot just by watching this. Great stuff....
In that building, I learned lessons that could save my life one day.
looking forward to the book and thanks for a real bow drill demo!
Grazie per far vedere la tua esperienza
Great video. I can't wait for your book to hit the shelf. Off subject, could you do a video on your tattoos? I noticed that they greatly symbolize your lifestyle and family and I would be interested in seeing the meaning of some of them. Thanks!
Great video. Thank You.
Dave could you make the pathfinder bearing block belt buckle? I will be a convenient way to always carry a bearing block.
that is the BEST Bow Drill Video Ive seen Awesome !cant wait to see the New Book.
really helpful and informative! thanks, Dave.
Cant wait till the book comes out, I have had Both 101, And Advanced since they were Published, Im in the Far north east Texas Panhandle, Cedar is the prefferd wood here, Its what i use and teach to my son. Thanks for what you Do For the community.
Good step by step info video. Appreciate it!
Great video !
Awesome Dave