If you want to get the bow drill done make the spindle small in diameter. But then you also need a bow which is flexible so that the paracord is always on tension. ►Get your APO-1S here: ➜ USA/Canada: bit.ly/3vfXPuS ➜ DE/Österreich/Schweiz: bit.ly/3pMlJ04 ➜ Europe: www.survivallilly.at
Great video, and good skills. I personally think that a system designed for "weaker people", really just means its more efficient for everyone. (Im not just saying that because Im one of the weaker people.)
Lily, after my previous comments, I want to say, this is the most detailed and informative fire starting video beyond sparking videos. A really big thank you for this very real display!!!
I remember when you used to open by rappelling off a rock cliff into a rushing creek. Now you are teaching the use of a bow drill. Your instructions are thorough and complete. I especially liked the comment when discussing using your knife to hold the drill spindle, “If I don’t have my knife then we have a whole set of other problems.” Heh, heh…. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you. Texas
I really appreciate your videos. I'm still big and strong but closing in on 60 years of age and I am preparing myself for old age by trying to find methods of performing tasks with far less effort. So when I watch you perform task you adapted in a way that allows you to perform with an excellent result. I think your knife is well thought out and hope to buy one soon.
Wow! THANK YOU. Yours is the only one I've found that addresses my wimpy abilities, and lets me know that it isn't a hopeless "dream" to be able to do for myself. Thanks again.
Great tips. A few extras are to replace your boot laces with paracord. Also, a fresh piece of oak works well as a bearing block, or dead wood with pine resin to act as a lubricant. That said, I have researched the internet and can't find one instance in a real-life survival situation where a bow drill was successfully used. My reasoning is that if somebody has the presence of mind to go into the woods with a knife and bearing block handle, they likely know to carry a lighter with them as well, because they know how unreliable a bow drill fire can be. All of my key chains have a ferro rod, so there is always a more reliable means to make a fire. Knowing how to make a friction fire is a great skill to have, but is one of last resort.
Great information! Mr West also recommends the smaller spindle, I'm working on it. Mostly I have a bunch of black walnut, pecan , ash and oak. Rather than bushcrafting I probably should take up fine wood working. 😃 Up north I have pine but it's always either sappy or punky. I have learned to identify Cottonwood but haven't found one I can access properly seasoned wood from yet. Other possible options for my area might be cedar and crepe myrtle. The search continues...
Lilly, have you thought about adding a bearing into your knife handle design? I have never seen anybody do that, but it certainly would add a survival function to an already great knife.
@Gary Wilkinson TOPS knives (BOB - Brothers of Bushcraft) fixed blade survival knifes have a divot in the handle scale similar to what Lilly made for her APO knife.
For long term it wouldn't work out well, it would rust or gather dirt and debris as well as add alot of weight. You'd be better off just putting it into a piece of wood and carrying that, or just use a piece of fatwood and problem solved.
I believe this is the first video I've seen that has even mentioned a solution for those who are not all muscle. Very well done young lady. However, I was a little surprised you didn't mention options to lessen the friction if you're forced to use a rock or wood for your pivot point.
Great tutorial! I have used a bow drill for 30 plus years and unless it is super cold and I want a “fast fire” I start all my fires this way. I did make a special bearing block with a walnut section that fits my hand and a sealed bearing counter sunk and mounted in it. I keep this, short 10” fire board, 4” square leather pad to catch the ember and tinder in my fire bag and always in my pack along with flint and steel with char cloth I make. If I have dry wood handy, I will make a fire wood with my tomahawk or knife. I do build the occasional fire with a piece of wood for a bearing block, but just to stay in practice. Making fire goes back to the dawn of our species. Thank you for all the good videos.
Great demonstration, especially with the practical description of wood selection and how to avoid unnecessary fatigue. Making it easier is for everyone. There will be a bad, damp day when bowdrill will be very hard, so we all need to gain every advantage we can.
Good stuff!!! I have medical problems that caused right sided weakness. Having skills and thought processes to help with that is always a good thing. Thank you!!!
You're probably my favorite survival youtuber. You're very small and most of these videos are done by husky/big boned men. It's cool. Cause I'm a tiny guy and I've learned so much from you. Thanks lily.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. This is by far, the best tutorial on bowdrill I ever watched. Thanks again and congrats for the awesome job. You rock, Girl! 💪
I have watched a lot of fire drill tutorials but none as good and detailed as this. You went into so many finer details that others think we have assumed knowledge about. Love your realistic survival videos too, keep them up awesome job.
Well, kind of. The angular velocity of the thin spindle will be higher as that is equal to tangential velocity/radius but it's the tangential velocity that causes heat through friction. The outer edge of a thick or thin spindle will be traveling at the same tangential velocity, the speed of the string making them spin. That tangential velocity will fall linearly to zero at the center in both cases. The smaller spindle will indeed rotate more times in a given stroke but the outer edge of both will travel the same distance, the linear length of the string. This, the increased surface area of the larger spindle will generate more heat with the same stroke but will require more effort to achieve that stroke.
excellent bow drill article,.. Lilly. I am definitely going to practice bow drill fire starting this summer; you gave so many important technical points,.. thank you.
Some really good information on the bow drill. I got me some small rimmed ball bearings, 12mm outside with an 8mm hole, and inserted them into each knife, sunk the rim too to avoid hot spots. A smaller diameter of the spindle gives it more speed = more heat. Making the bow as long as your arm allows for long strokes = more heat, less effort. Paracord is quite slick, so it isn't the best choice. Polyester cord is much more grippy, bankline too, due to the tar, or cotton. Haven't tried it yet, but Felix Immler doesn't fix the second end to the bow, he puts a loop in the end and puts his thumb in. To tension the string he slides his hand back on the bow. Making the notch with a saw is a lot safer, the saw of Victorinox knifes is just perfect in size. Stay safe and take care
Since you mentioned corporals corner, he usually recommend a spindle no bigger than your thumb. Probably for the same reason you stated. That was an awesome Tinder bundle you had! I enjoy watching your videos and have learned a lot from you.
3:40 ish...the thicker the stick, the less rotations per stroke back and forth. Less rotations is less friction no matter a person's strength. Although Lily has proven the thicker the stick, you need to Rambo to hope to make it work. Meanwhile, more rotations per stroke is a big key. Because, the smaller the stick, it appears you get a much smaller weaker ember. Rotations per stroke sure seems a key. And she found the best balance.
Great educational video on bow drill using. Lilly I have pretty good luck with the wooden stems of the yucca plant. Nice job on explaining the differences between the woods and size of the drill. For my base I use cottonwood.
I think it is important to mention that when making the spindle, if you want more traction from the bow string to the spindle cut 4 flats on the spindle. Each corner of the flat's will grip the string better and reduce any slippage that may occur. This trick actually helped me to create fire using this bow drill method.
Prolly one of the best vids on bow drills I've seen. Seen one other that did a better job at describing best combo of wood types but lacked on the rest. Very good!
I just entered my seventies. Although all of us (or maybe I should just speak for myself) find things a bit more difficult as time goes on or that is the fact for me. I don't plan on stopping my outdoor activities any time soon. This is a very useful video for people that have to face harsh reality. Thanks Lily.
Lily I’ve seen a lot of people in the past use the bow drill. But I’ve never heard anyone explain it so concisely as you have. What a great job. I tried bow drilling a couple of times. And failed. No one ever mentioned about cleaning the point with your knife to give it a fresh start. Also placing your knee up againstYour hand. To keep it steady. Also the longer stick for your bow drill seem to help immensely. But I did find it amusing that you put a hole in the handle of your knife. Where I live if you carried that knife on your hip everywhere you went just in case there was an emergency. I probably get arrested for it being over 3 1/2 inch blade. LOL 😃 people get very nervous today about stuff like that. When I was a kid you could carry a knife in your pocket at all times even in school. And no one blinked an Eye. That is not the story today. They would have the police at your school and you probably get suspended. Actually you would Get Suspended. Again great job with the demonstration. I wish I had the time to do what you do every day
So many good tips in this video, love it. Just like your 3 hour survival bow. You're good with the little details and sharing a lot of your own experiences and it's what makes you unique. Keep doing exactly what you're doing, it gets you views. Because if there's one thing I've noticed, is that even if I already know this stuff, I always learn (or can adapt) some little tip from your vids, to improve my own skills, like stabilizing the knife (or alternative) on your knee. And the wood and fingernail trick and what woods you found useful, from better to best. Great info.! And it's what keeps me coming back. I don't do that typically, because if I already know it well, I'm not usually interested in watching even more people do the same generic stuff and I learn nothing. But you share so much, not just the tips you've found, but the things you found are bad/ineffective and even dangerous. Like how you made the notch and the advice about just doing it a better way, so as to not be cutting toward your hand. Things like that are awesome, people get to learn by your mistakes (or things you noticed could turn into a mistake) and you're not afraid to share them. And people learn by your successes too, quite a bit actually and what worked for you, which may not be what worked for every other survival channel/vid/person. And you think outside the box, like this one "what about bow drilling for weaker people?". Yeah, exactly, what have other UA-camrs like you "not" covered that could be useful?! Thinking of new angles to make videos more interesting. You are very creative, candid and honest and I like that. I find info. that mentions (or shows) what not to do, more valuable when coupled with what's right to do, than with right alone. You avoid pitfalls better that way. Just keep being you and being real, it works. I find the fact that you are fallible and sometimes videos don't go the way you want them to, but publish them just the way it happened and don't hide it, an endearing trait. And you don't come off like a lot of UA-camrs, with perfect videos and edits and it always makes them look good. Because they did a tonne of takes to make it too polished and they never fail, make mistakes or have a bad luck day. Nope, your survival bow lasted 6 shots, oh well, that's how real life goes and that's how it's going up on UA-cam.
I agree with your assessment! You only need an ember. The size of the ember is irrelevant! Any size will create dust/duff to hold the ember. It only needs to be thick enough to resist snapping.
When watching Ray mears he uses a sharper point on the end that connects to the bearing block to reduce friction and uses leaves to act as a lubricant. Love the videos 👍
i seen 3 women try that on you tube your one of them and you can do that really good the other 2 failed i like how you told us how to do that step for step and did it at the same time very good
Lilly ... just once I'd like to see you make a video on the Rudiger Roll technique. Do it with cotton balls and pour a little wood ash on the spread out cotton ball before rolling it up. It's a very easy and low effort technique for getting a viable ember to light a fire with. You only need a flat surface, like a flat rock to roll on and a piece of split log with a flat side to hold and use to roll the fire roll. Once you master the basic technique using cotton balls, you can expand to using jute twine fibers which are a little harder but closer to what you could find as natural fiber sources in nature. Yucca fibers separated and wadded up can be fire rolled. Besides wood ashes you can use rust scraped off of a rusty piece of metal as an "accelerant". The powder out of an expended hand warmer packet works well too. Mind you I've learned how to make a bow drill set as well ... the more ways you know how to make a fire the better. But the Rudiger Roll technique seems to require less prep and resources and less energy to get an ember, at least IMO.
Really enjoyed this, Lilly! Love the primal implications of being able to ‘create fire’…and your steps are superb! Several years ago I excitedly bought a bow drill off Amazon to show my daughter but never got the chance… Good job!
I saw on another channel where he fed the ember powdery dried rotten wood. You never have to rush. You just feed the ember, blow on it a little until you have a large ember to work with. This seemed to work well. Thanks for sharing. Stay well and be safe.
Wonderful to see you again my lady. Some hobbies do not have the luxury of simplicity related to the availability and production of materials (i.e. large regular & magnum rifle primers) The availability of raw material like willow, is convenient and available for use to outdoor hobbyists, trappers and hunters. Fortunately, my colleagues and I have been blessed with an abundance, including a preferred location where we can shoot at any distance safely, securely and at our own pace (usually a quick and productive pace!)
I like the fact that you are always trying to share practical knowledge with people... very good lesson in the basics of the bow drill, you covered all the important parts as well as type of wood choice. great video!!
You can also put a bit of live grass or other live leaves in to your bearing block to reduce the friction it works a treat! (I seen that somewhere i cant remember where) nice video too
Are you OK Lilly? I was just watching a video of the flooding in Germany and it said Austria was affected too. I really hope you are ok please take care ok-Mechelle
Hello Lilly, for bowdrill cord i use always the inner bark from elm tree or from black locust they work the best. The best wood for bowtrill i think is bass wood. Gruß Felix
Lilly: So sorry to learn of the flooding around Salzburg. I hope it is not lasting very long, and that there is help for those who have lost homes, property, and loved ones.
Reminder tip of the day one dowel rod of oak one block of white pine cut in half and another small piece of oak with small holes in it only quarter inch deep enough to insert one end of dowel rod which is the top side of oak dowel rod bottom of oak dowel rod goes onto white pine block the hole premade in oak block put small amount vaseline to lubricate so bow can turn dowel high speed works good practice heats up fast enough to make hot ember have your tinder ready you only have 6 seconds to fuel ember or start over
I think paracord is really eady to make from grass. Much easier than bow drill. But you are right the cord will break after a couple of tries unfortunally. Im looking into making plastic from wood and spin it into fibers, this would be much hardier and last much longer.
When Lilly first started making her videos It seemed to me she was learning some things on the fly. After watching this video I believe Lilly has become an expert on making fire with the bow drill. She gave the best class I have seen on making a bow drill kit in my opinion. I think when Lilly is walking on a street in her home town and a stranger walks up with an unlit cigarette and says "Haben sie feur bitte? " she says " Ja " and takes her bow drill kit out of her pocket and in under a minute she has lit his cigarette.
Have you noticed if the thinner spindle burns through the fire board faster than a thicker spindle would? This reminds me of an article that I read in Wilderness Way magazine several years ago. The author was showing how to make a “mini bow drill set”.
The first bow drill fire I made was very satisfying. And what I used for a bearing block was half of a large freshwater clam shell. Where the hinge part of the clam is, there is a nice divet that holds the top tip of the spindle very nicely and the round outer part of the shell fits well in the palm of your hand. Also, the inner part of the shell is very smooth which helps tremendously with having no friction on the top part of the spindle. I found the clam shells on a river bank here in Dayton, Ohio.
That was the best most instructive primitive fire bow drill lesson I have seen. Thanks for that. I think I might be able to do it. Would a piece of pitchy pine make a good bearing piece? The pitch might act as a lubricant.
Great video, Lilly! Have you ever done a video on fire plow method? Is it something you've explored? Most bushcraft folks focus on bow drill technique and only a few have done a video on the fire plow tecnique. Thanks and more power!
Completely agree with you. Ray M. taught us on large spindle with sycamore and after a week I still couldn't do it. He gave me his ivy one with the small spindle and I could do it. I then went and made one with willow and taught some boy scouts with it... and it worked! We used leaves and spit in the wood bearing block.
Lilly great job , us older guys don’t have much muscle sometimes to not just the ladies , finding the right woods as you explained is very testing when it doesn’t work , you mentioned willow , we have weeping willow not sure if that will work but I will try it, I have tried pine to , not good at all very hard to use I found. Thank you for your lesson on the bow drill , one other thing that could get you out of trouble if something goes wrong with the bow drill is to learn to use the long spindle making fire with hand friction , it can be done but practice like anything else . Take care. 👍
Survival tips: keep your knife handy, paracord on your person, laces in your shoes, find the right kind of sticks... and oh, keep a lighter in your pocket!
The best bowdrill tutorial video 👍 but I wonder if the moving of amber is not necessary if we already have some dry wood plate/dry bark instead of stone plate? So the amber could still feed on the wood and has less chance to be out.
Thank you Lily I don't consider myself a weaker person but I have MS so there are days when I can't function the way I wish that I could or used to be able to So I think these tips you have given will come in handy thank you again
If you want to get the bow drill done make the spindle small in diameter. But then you also need a bow which is flexible so that the paracord is always on tension.
►Get your APO-1S here:
➜ USA/Canada: bit.ly/3vfXPuS
➜ DE/Österreich/Schweiz: bit.ly/3pMlJ04
➜ Europe: www.survivallilly.at
Great video, and good skills. I personally think that a system designed for "weaker people", really just means its more efficient for everyone. (Im not just saying that because Im one of the weaker people.)
Thank you!
Wow Lily, you look great! That difficult survival test in the forest made you glow! Strange, but wonderful.
A Corporal sent me here👍🇺🇸🇦🇹
That 🔪 knife is worth about $15 dollars not $150. 😜🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
Bushcraft arms 💪
But yours look like terminators tough 👌
@@SurvivalLilly lol I appreciate the Shoutout 🤘
Two of my favorite people on youtube know each other! Outstanding!
Bushcraft arms AF.
@@recall5811 *Corporal's Corner = Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rambo & a BEAR!*
*Love it!*
Lily, after my previous comments, I want to say, this is the most detailed and informative fire starting video beyond sparking videos. A really big thank you for this very real display!!!
Speaking of shoe laces, I always replace my laces with paracord, that way I always have a couple pieces of 4 or 5 foot paracord with me.
Great idea!
Sounds weird, ....but I take a little red radio flyer wagon
I don’t care how much I need it but I’m not replacing my shoe laces with paracord. Unless they’re boots
omg this is such a great idea!! gonna steal this and do it with my boots I use for hiking
Good idea!
I remember when you used to open by rappelling off a rock cliff into a rushing creek. Now you are teaching the use of a bow drill. Your instructions are thorough and complete. I especially liked the comment when discussing using your knife to hold the drill spindle, “If I don’t have my knife then we have a whole set of other problems.” Heh, heh…. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you. Texas
I love how you explain it all and don't just show the end result.
I really appreciate your videos. I'm still big and strong but closing in on 60 years of age and I am preparing myself for old age by trying to find methods of performing tasks with far less effort. So when I watch you perform task you adapted in a way that allows you to perform with an excellent result. I think your knife is well thought out and hope to buy one soon.
Wow! THANK YOU. Yours is the only one I've found that addresses my wimpy abilities, and lets me know that it isn't a hopeless "dream" to be able to do for myself. Thanks again.
I like the little shout-out to Corporals Corner. 💪
Great tips. A few extras are to replace your boot laces with paracord. Also, a fresh piece of oak works well as a bearing block, or dead wood with pine resin to act as a lubricant. That said, I have researched the internet and can't find one instance in a real-life survival situation where a bow drill was successfully used. My reasoning is that if somebody has the presence of mind to go into the woods with a knife and bearing block handle, they likely know to carry a lighter with them as well, because they know how unreliable a bow drill fire can be. All of my key chains have a ferro rod, so there is always a more reliable means to make a fire. Knowing how to make a friction fire is a great skill to have, but is one of last resort.
Great information! Mr West also recommends the smaller spindle, I'm working on it. Mostly I have a bunch of black walnut, pecan , ash and oak. Rather than bushcrafting I probably should take up fine wood working. 😃 Up north I have pine but it's always either sappy or punky. I have learned to identify Cottonwood but haven't found one I can access properly seasoned wood from yet. Other possible options for my area might be cedar and crepe myrtle. The search continues...
Ex British Army here love watching your stuff well done Lilly thank you for your efforts 👍👍
Good info Lilly, we must always be prepared for the unexpected events
Thank you for sharing a video geared toward us with less physical strength. This gives me more confidence to try.
Lilly, have you thought about adding a bearing into your knife handle design? I have never seen anybody do that, but it certainly would add a survival function to an already great knife.
How about one of those fidget spinner things, only a little bigger?👍
@Gary Wilkinson TOPS knives (BOB - Brothers of Bushcraft) fixed blade survival knifes have a divot in the handle scale similar to what Lilly made for her APO knife.
Actually tops knives, their brothers of bushcraft knife series has a bearing spot, on the handle.
Check felix Immler, he added one on his swiss army knife
For long term it wouldn't work out well, it would rust or gather dirt and debris as well as add alot of weight. You'd be better off just putting it into a piece of wood and carrying that, or just use a piece of fatwood and problem solved.
Best tutorial ever on how to make a bow drill. Thank you for sharing.
Oooo, you shouted out the Corporal. You guys are my 2 favorite outdoors channels :=-D
Great tutorial!
Me too. I watch both of their shows religiously! 😀
I believe this is the first video I've seen that has even mentioned a solution for those who are not all muscle. Very well done young lady. However, I was a little surprised you didn't mention options to lessen the friction if you're forced to use a rock or wood for your pivot point.
OUTSTANDING VIDEO!! Your teaching method is excellent & for the FIRST time, I understand how to do this. Can't wait to try it out.
Great tutorial! I have used a bow drill for 30 plus years and unless it is super cold and I want a “fast fire” I start all my fires this way. I did make a special bearing block with a walnut section that fits my hand and a sealed bearing counter sunk and mounted in it. I keep this, short 10” fire board, 4” square leather pad to catch the ember and tinder in my fire bag and always in my pack along with flint and steel with char cloth I make. If I have dry wood handy, I will make a fire wood with my tomahawk or knife.
I do build the occasional fire with a piece of wood for a bearing block, but just to stay in practice.
Making fire goes back to the dawn of our species.
Thank you for all the good videos.
Great demonstration, especially with the practical description of wood selection and how to avoid unnecessary fatigue.
Making it easier is for everyone. There will be a bad, damp day when bowdrill will be very hard, so we all need to gain every advantage we can.
Good stuff!!! I have medical problems that caused right sided weakness. Having skills and thought processes to help with that is always a good thing. Thank you!!!
Thank you Lilly, you saved me a lot of time, I would of had to learn the Hard way other wise.
You're probably my favorite survival youtuber. You're very small and most of these videos are done by husky/big boned men. It's cool. Cause I'm a tiny guy and I've learned so much from you. Thanks lily.
Lilly please stay dry and safe. I've been monitoring the floods in Austria.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. This is by far, the best tutorial on bowdrill I ever watched. Thanks again and congrats for the awesome job. You rock, Girl! 💪
Thanks Lilly! I am working on bowdrill skills and this was so helpful! Now I can properly create a fire! Awesome job!
Your arms are very strong these days. Looks like you have been working out.
Lilly, great video, I'll try this. Thank you...
I’ve watched so many “man” bowdrill tutorials… and still this one showed me something new… very nice knowledge and energy 👏🏼👏🏼
Awww the puppy has gotten so big ❤️
Very good demonstration! I'm almost 70 years old and I need to practice. Thank you!
I have watched a lot of fire drill tutorials but none as good and detailed as this. You went into so many finer details that others think we have assumed knowledge about. Love your realistic survival videos too, keep them up awesome job.
This is by far the best video I’ve ever seen on the bow drill technique. I finally see where I was making mistakes.
_good old physics will make a thinner spindle spin more times and quicker too. It's basically gearing_
Well, kind of. The angular velocity of the thin spindle will be higher as that is equal to tangential velocity/radius but it's the tangential velocity that causes heat through friction. The outer edge of a thick or thin spindle will be traveling at the same tangential velocity, the speed of the string making them spin. That tangential velocity will fall linearly to zero at the center in both cases. The smaller spindle will indeed rotate more times in a given stroke but the outer edge of both will travel the same distance, the linear length of the string. This, the increased surface area of the larger spindle will generate more heat with the same stroke but will require more effort to achieve that stroke.
excellent bow drill article,.. Lilly. I am definitely going to practice bow drill fire starting this summer; you gave so many important technical points,.. thank you.
Some really good information on the bow drill. I got me some small rimmed ball bearings, 12mm outside with an 8mm hole, and inserted them into each knife, sunk the rim too to avoid hot spots. A smaller diameter of the spindle gives it more speed = more heat.
Making the bow as long as your arm allows for long strokes = more heat, less effort.
Paracord is quite slick, so it isn't the best choice. Polyester cord is much more grippy, bankline too, due to the tar, or cotton.
Haven't tried it yet, but Felix Immler doesn't fix the second end to the bow, he puts a loop in the end and puts his thumb in. To tension the string he slides his hand back on the bow.
Making the notch with a saw is a lot safer, the saw of Victorinox knifes is just perfect in size.
Stay safe and take care
Since you mentioned corporals corner, he usually recommend a spindle no bigger than your thumb. Probably for the same reason you stated. That was an awesome Tinder bundle you had! I enjoy watching your videos and have learned a lot from you.
Super erklärt liebe Lilly! Tolle Techniken und sehr gut demonstriert! Das links, rechts gefällt mir außerordentlich gut! Viele Grüße Sepp
Awesome! I'll use these tips for when I teach my niece the bow drill. She is also very tiny.
3:40 ish...the thicker the stick, the less rotations per stroke back and forth. Less rotations is less friction no matter a person's strength. Although Lily has proven the thicker the stick, you need to Rambo to hope to make it work. Meanwhile, more rotations per stroke is a big key. Because, the smaller the stick, it appears you get a much smaller weaker ember. Rotations per stroke sure seems a key. And she found the best balance.
Yes, even for a big guy it's a good thing to be able to economize energy by crafting a more efficient tool like this one.
Hey Lily,
That was the best description of how to start a bow drill fire that I have seen.
Cheers from Juneau Alaska,
Greg Chaney
Not crushing the ember is vitally important as well! Great teaching video on this subject!
Great educational video on bow drill using. Lilly I have pretty good luck with the wooden stems of the yucca plant. Nice job on explaining the differences between the woods and size of the drill. For my base I use cottonwood.
This is a remarkable presentation Lily.
Much Respect to you. Keep doing what you do because it is outstanding.
I absolutely love your content. Thank you Lilly!
2:28 *Corporal's Corner = Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rambo & a BEAR!*
I think it is important to mention that when making the spindle, if you want more traction from the bow string to the spindle cut 4 flats on the spindle. Each corner of the flat's will grip the string better and reduce any slippage that may occur. This trick actually helped me to create fire using this bow drill method.
Prolly one of the best vids on bow drills I've seen. Seen one other that did a better job at describing best combo of wood types but lacked on the rest. Very good!
Thanks 👍
I just entered my seventies. Although all of us (or maybe I should just speak for myself) find things a bit more difficult as time goes on or that is the fact for me. I don't plan on stopping my outdoor activities any time soon. This is a very useful video for people that have to face harsh reality. Thanks Lily.
Lily I’ve seen a lot of people in the past use the bow drill. But I’ve never heard anyone explain it so concisely as you have. What a great job. I tried bow drilling a couple of times. And failed. No one ever mentioned about cleaning the point with your knife to give it a fresh start. Also placing your knee up againstYour hand. To keep it steady. Also the longer stick for your bow drill seem to help immensely. But I did find it amusing that you put a hole in the handle of your knife. Where I live if you carried that knife on your hip everywhere you went just in case there was an emergency. I probably get arrested for it being over 3 1/2 inch blade. LOL 😃 people get very nervous today about stuff like that. When I was a kid you could carry a knife in your pocket at all times even in school. And no one blinked an Eye. That is not the story today. They would have the police at your school and you probably get suspended. Actually you would Get Suspended. Again great job with the demonstration. I wish I had the time to do what you do every day
Dog still looks around whenever Lilly speaks. "I just....wha.........who is she talking to?" 0:05
You made that look soooo easy!!! A lot of great tips, and very well done. Thanks for the demo
i love how your dog came to check on you after starting the fire XD
That dog is spoiled rotten she just wants lily to cook a giant smoked sausage fried so she can eat sausage and lily can drink coffee
Lilly, this was the best bow drill video I've seen! (The next best on is from Connie & Lonnie from Up North Bushcraft.)
So many good tips in this video, love it. Just like your 3 hour survival bow. You're good with the little details and sharing a lot of your own experiences and it's what makes you unique. Keep doing exactly what you're doing, it gets you views. Because if there's one thing I've noticed, is that even if I already know this stuff, I always learn (or can adapt) some little tip from your vids, to improve my own skills, like stabilizing the knife (or alternative) on your knee. And the wood and fingernail trick and what woods you found useful, from better to best. Great info.! And it's what keeps me coming back. I don't do that typically, because if I already know it well, I'm not usually interested in watching even more people do the same generic stuff and I learn nothing. But you share so much, not just the tips you've found, but the things you found are bad/ineffective and even dangerous.
Like how you made the notch and the advice about just doing it a better way, so as to not be cutting toward your hand. Things like that are awesome, people get to learn by your mistakes (or things you noticed could turn into a mistake) and you're not afraid to share them. And people learn by your successes too, quite a bit actually and what worked for you, which may not be what worked for every other survival channel/vid/person. And you think outside the box, like this one "what about bow drilling for weaker people?". Yeah, exactly, what have other UA-camrs like you "not" covered that could be useful?! Thinking of new angles to make videos more interesting. You are very creative, candid and honest and I like that. I find info. that mentions (or shows) what not to do, more valuable when coupled with what's right to do, than with right alone. You avoid pitfalls better that way.
Just keep being you and being real, it works. I find the fact that you are fallible and sometimes videos don't go the way you want them to, but publish them just the way it happened and don't hide it, an endearing trait. And you don't come off like a lot of UA-camrs, with perfect videos and edits and it always makes them look good. Because they did a tonne of takes to make it too polished and they never fail, make mistakes or have a bad luck day. Nope, your survival bow lasted 6 shots, oh well, that's how real life goes and that's how it's going up on UA-cam.
I agree with your assessment! You only need an ember. The size of the ember is irrelevant! Any size will create dust/duff to hold the ember. It only needs to be thick enough to resist snapping.
Great explanation and demonstration ! I have tried to explain this to other people , but you have it down clear as a bell . Well done !
Great instructional video Lilly. Thanks and well done.
When watching Ray mears he uses a sharper point on the end that connects to the bearing block to reduce friction and uses leaves to act as a lubricant. Love the videos 👍
I rub it around on the side of my nose.
Quick tip; yes, use soft wood for the fire board, but use a hard wood for the spindle. Works better.
i seen 3 women try that on you tube your one of them and you can do that really good the other 2 failed i like how you told us how to do that step for step and did it at the same time very good
Lilly ... just once I'd like to see you make a video on the Rudiger Roll technique. Do it with cotton balls and pour a little wood ash on the spread out cotton ball before rolling it up. It's a very easy and low effort technique for getting a viable ember to light a fire with. You only need a flat surface, like a flat rock to roll on and a piece of split log with a flat side to hold and use to roll the fire roll. Once you master the basic technique using cotton balls, you can expand to using jute twine fibers which are a little harder but closer to what you could find as natural fiber sources in nature. Yucca fibers separated and wadded up can be fire rolled. Besides wood ashes you can use rust scraped off of a rusty piece of metal as an "accelerant". The powder out of an expended hand warmer packet works well too. Mind you I've learned how to make a bow drill set as well ... the more ways you know how to make a fire the better. But the Rudiger Roll technique seems to require less prep and resources and less energy to get an ember, at least IMO.
A great informational video. Love seeing Amy, glad she is well again.
Would a drop of baby oil or whatever maybe reduce tension at the top? Clearly metal is already superior but...
Really enjoyed this, Lilly!
Love the primal implications of being able to ‘create fire’…and your steps are superb!
Several years ago I excitedly bought a bow drill off Amazon to show my daughter but never got the chance…
Good job!
I saw on another channel where he fed the ember powdery dried rotten wood. You never have to rush. You just feed the ember, blow on it a little until you have a large ember to work with. This seemed to work well. Thanks for sharing. Stay well and be safe.
Wonderful to see you again my lady. Some hobbies do not have the luxury of simplicity related to the availability and production of materials (i.e. large regular & magnum rifle primers) The availability of raw material like willow, is convenient and available for use to outdoor hobbyists, trappers and hunters. Fortunately, my colleagues and I have been blessed with an abundance, including a preferred location where we can shoot at any distance safely, securely and at our own pace (usually a quick and productive pace!)
I like the fact that you are always trying to share practical knowledge with people... very good lesson in the basics of the bow drill, you covered all the important parts as well as type of wood choice. great video!!
🔥Too much power !! dear Lilly
You can also put a bit of live grass or other live leaves in to your bearing block to reduce the friction it works a treat! (I seen that somewhere i cant remember where) nice video too
Are you OK Lilly? I was just watching a video of the flooding in Germany and it said Austria was affected too. I really hope you are ok please take care ok-Mechelle
Hello Lilly, for bowdrill cord i use always the inner bark from elm tree or from black locust they work the best. The best wood for bowtrill i think is bass wood. Gruß Felix
I hope you are safe from all of the flooding going on in the area!
Lilly: So sorry to learn of the flooding around Salzburg. I hope it is not lasting very long, and that there is help for those who have lost homes, property, and loved ones.
Reminder tip of the day one dowel rod of oak one block of white pine cut in half and another small piece of oak with small holes in it only quarter inch deep enough to insert one end of dowel rod which is the top side of oak dowel rod bottom of oak dowel rod goes onto white pine block the hole premade in oak block put small amount vaseline to lubricate so bow can turn dowel high speed works good practice heats up fast enough to make hot ember have your tinder ready you only have 6 seconds to fuel ember or start over
I think paracord is really eady to make from grass. Much easier than bow drill. But you are right the cord will break after a couple of tries unfortunally. Im looking into making plastic from wood and spin it into fibers, this would be much hardier and last much longer.
If you are planning on a fire drill, a limpet shell is lightweight to carry and makes an excellent top for the spindle.
When Lilly first started making her videos It seemed to me she was learning some things on the fly.
After watching this video I believe Lilly has become an expert on making fire with the bow drill.
She gave the best class I have seen on making a bow drill kit in my opinion.
I think when Lilly is walking on a street in her home town and a stranger walks up with an unlit cigarette
and says "Haben sie feur bitte? " she says " Ja " and takes her bow drill kit out of her pocket and
in under a minute she has lit his cigarette.
Have you noticed if the thinner spindle burns through the fire board faster than a thicker spindle would? This reminds me of an article that I read in Wilderness Way magazine several years ago. The author was showing how to make a “mini bow drill set”.
The first bow drill fire I made was very satisfying. And what I used for a bearing block was half of a large freshwater clam shell. Where the hinge part of the clam is, there is a nice divet that holds the top tip of the spindle very nicely and the round outer part of the shell fits well in the palm of your hand. Also, the inner part of the shell is very smooth which helps tremendously with having no friction on the top part of the spindle. I found the clam shells on a river bank here in Dayton, Ohio.
That was the best most instructive primitive fire bow drill lesson I have seen. Thanks for that. I think I might be able to do it. Would a piece of pitchy pine make a good bearing piece? The pitch might act as a lubricant.
Love the fingernail test tip.
Great tips, This is one of the more thorough tutorials I’ve seen. 👍
Good video, I have a suggestion for a future video do one showing how to start a fire with the wood plow method.
Excellent, many thanks. A bowdrill technique for older folk with bad/stiff knees would be useful too!
A very good instruction on bowdrill , your an excellent and capable teacher, thanks lilly.
Hi Lilly, oh your are amazing and knowledgeable. Thank you for your teachings. Blessings
Great video, Lilly! Have you ever done a video on fire plow method? Is it something you've explored? Most bushcraft folks focus on bow drill technique and only a few have done a video on the fire plow tecnique. Thanks and more power!
Completely agree with you. Ray M. taught us on large spindle with sycamore and after a week I still couldn't do it. He gave me his ivy one with the small spindle and I could do it. I then went and made one with willow and taught some boy scouts with it... and it worked! We used leaves and spit in the wood bearing block.
Very Nice demonstration of an essential bushcraft/woodsman skill!
Very informative video, thanks Lily
Excellent video. Really well explained with some great tips
Fingernail test, I learned something new today. Thx Lilly!
A really excellent tutorial. Thank you.
You’ve shared good and important info. Thank you!
Lilly great job , us older guys don’t have much muscle sometimes to not just the ladies , finding the right woods as you explained is very testing when it doesn’t work , you mentioned willow , we have weeping willow not sure if that will work but I will try it, I have tried pine to , not good at all very hard to use I found. Thank you for your lesson on the bow drill , one other thing that could get you out of trouble if something goes wrong with the bow drill is to learn to use the long spindle making fire with hand friction , it can be done but practice like anything else . Take care. 👍
Survival tips: keep your knife handy, paracord on your person, laces in your shoes, find the right kind of sticks... and oh, keep a lighter in your pocket!
The best bowdrill tutorial video 👍 but I wonder if the moving of amber is not necessary if we already have some dry wood plate/dry bark instead of stone plate? So the amber could still feed on the wood and has less chance to be out.
Thank you Lily I don't consider myself a weaker person but I have MS so there are days when I can't function the way I wish that I could or used to be able to So I think these tips you have given will come in handy thank you again