In the interest of keeping this thread organized for those who view and read the comments section and are hear to learn, please drop all contributions to the discussion that have anything to do with "why not just use a lighter" in this thread. Everyone already knows it is easier to just use a lighter. This is for folks who also know that its possible to not have a lighter 100% of the time. Thanks!
From one friction fire practitioner to another, I agree with this comment. While I'm all about being prepared I also appreciate the skills necessary to create fire from sourced material. Being too dependent on modern technology can be fallible. Please, continue to make quality videos and ignore the trolls.
The Gray Bearded Green Beret I really would love to take a good survival course. You would think Alabama would offer a lot of these courses , but I can’t find anything. What would you recommend? Thanks I’m a new subscriber to your channel “ Great information “
@@Aceinthehole1179 I am partnered with a school called American Survival Co, they have a venue in SW MO/NW AR that may be close to you, they are great and are probably fairly close to you: flintsteelcsg.com/organizer/american-survival-co/
this is the best tutorial for a bow friction fire i have ever seen. I have watched so many over this past year and you have explained and demonstrated the mechanics and construction perfectly! thanks Green Beret!
I particularly like that he doesn't do this in his backyard. I can't stand videos of people acting like experts when they only demonstrate fire making skills at home. Such a refreshing change.
Agreed! The attention to detail and the video quality-including close-ups with the secondary camera-make this bow drill video second to none. Well worth the 35min viewing. Thank you, GBGB.
Awesome video! I feel like I have attended an outdoor seminar on primitive fire making techniques, not just a youtube vid I was really into it great job.
Man you’ve really thought anally about every single Little micro Aspect of This Process. At first I was annoyed, but I actually Did Learn Some Great tips from that
Very good explanation man, I am 60 years old and I am going to build myself a bow drill kit, and practice the bow drill for the first time and try and make a fire in my back yard!
a very nice demo as always. I now know something new I didnt before. i did have 2 questions. feel free to send an internet forehead flick if they seem too dumb lol. First is it possible to use this method to touch off a man made fire starter like a tinder quick or greased cotton ball? If so at what step and how would you go about it? Second is there a bow drill posture that would work with one or both legs being less then 100% functional? say a leg in a splint or otherwise unable to kneel properly. a fleshed out scenario might be a hiker takes a bad fall, looses most of his gear and breaks a leg, splints it himself but needs fire for signaling or to keep predators at bay and this is the only method. I know its a 'what if' but the leg issue hampers alot of outdoors enthusiasts like myself who are maybe 50-80% functional. I can walk limited distance but still cant kneel properly.
Not likely and Yes! You would not be able to light a fire tab or greased cotton ball with this method UNTIL you blew a tinder bundle to flame with it (at that point you would no longer need the emergency tinder). For either of those to work, the oil/wax needs to be heated to the point of turning back to a liquid before it can ignite, and that would likely snuff your ember out. I suppose it would be possible to use the ember to get either of those smoldering and introduce air into them and possibly get then to ignite, but then you would have to transfer that to a tinder bundle to get that going so it could then transfer to your kindling and on to your sustaining fuel, which the ember will do by itself, making the man-made tinder just an extra step that isn't needed. For folks that are not comfortable kneeling or have injuries that prevent comfortable kneeling or applying downward pressure, I teach two techniques: one is called "Sit-busting" that allows you to do this from a seated position ( I will have to do another video on that one) and also rigging up an apparatus similar to a Siberian Deadfall, but modified to use as a bow drill (yet another video). Both have worked for folks that have been taught the techniques.
Wicked thorough & detailed explanation, sir!! One of, if not, the best I've ever seen on YT I have a dickens of a time doing this and can spend lots more time & sweat. Favor to ask, if you have time & energy, would you consider showing how you carve your spindle, top, middle and bottom? Showing the angles you make and how much point, or not, you aim for on each end. The pencil rule was quite helpful. Thanks!!!
I plan to do a followup on this for knife skills involved in making the kit, this footage was well over an hour long and I had to really cut it down for what is still a long video. I am editing two more videos out of this to complete the picture a bit better for folks that are interested.
Thank you, Mr. Enyart!! That would be great & I'll look forward to it. Especially interested if you try to get close to a smooth & even spindle middle or if you leave some flats for the cord to grab onto. Also if you make any thinner, wasp waist like to center that cord. Thank you for your reply and taking time to make such a detailed presentation. Good teacher!!
It's a LONG, but very useful and descriptive video and my only question is this:- how the fook did 'Homo erectus' work this all out over half a MILLION years ago without the help of UA-cam Tutorials. LOL.
Bulgarian Organic Smallholding I guess the key, reflecting homoerectus to man, is evolution not revolution. First it was spindle 'twixt palms spun to an ember, then later or gradually the bow was introduced to optimise the method.
Go and get a book called 'Clan Of The Cave Bear' by Jean Auel. The sequel, The Valley of Horses is almost better. It's about this 5yr old Cro Magnon girl who loses her family and is adopted by a Neanderthal tribe. In the second book she's kicked out of the Clan and goes off on her own. It's ENTHRALLING. It takes place on the shore of the Caspian Sea, actually in Ukraine - and more 60 000 years than 500 000. There's every kind of stuff in it and its authentic because Jean Auel worked very closely with the archaeological community. Read it - its GOOD!
@@susanp.collins7834 Ukraine didn't exist and it has NEVER been anywhere near the Caspian Sea. If the book is accurate as you appear not to be then, I'll give it a miss. Thank you.
The most comprehensive video I've seen. Thank you!👍 I have yet to have any successful results with a bow drill(very close).....and now I know why. A few minor details in making the set, better technique...and a little more patience....lol Thanks!👍
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I wish I could put the pic in the comments.... I made another spindle(my son ran off with the other...lol) and a new bow...following your instruction. New hole in the hearth board, better notch, new positioning while working the bow.....and.. BINGO!! Had and ember in less than a minute!! 1st successful friction fire!! Thank you for this great video!! 👍
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret If the old way didn't work....of course I'll try something new... One thing I did to dress the spindle after burning it in was to rub the end on stone, or in my case at the moment, cement...lol Worked like a charm! It was quick, and roughed up the end nicely to provide better friction. I was thinking that's why I got an ember so fast, but I'll dress it up with my knife next time to see if there's any difference. Gotta experiment....
GatitosWorld having a rough divot and a rough spindle will absolutely help you break the grain and get it faster. I do that with a hand drill to speed up the process also
Extremely thorough demonstration brother! I enjoyed seeing how you did your bow. Slightly different from how I tend to do mine but I am definitely interested to try your method. Especially on the back end with the elongated saddle notch and drilling the hole through. I also noticed you had your board positioned with the notch at the top. I started doing this a while back when I realized I could watch the notch better for cues and see when the notch was full. Looking forward to the next one!
Right on brother! Yeah for me I started doing the both on the far side so students could see it fill better. The hidden benefit I found to that was at my height, it was easier for me to see it as well!
Imo, the hardest part of making a friction fire is stoking the ember. At first my tendency was always to try and stoke it too quickly. I've found the biggest secret to a bow drill fire is patience. If you try to rush it, you'll probably fail. Also, don't think because you've made friction fire many times that there isn't anything more to learn from videos like this! Great video! Thank you sir!
Sir, looks great. I apologize in advance. I am amazing at making smoke with a bow drill. Not an ember to be found anywhere. 😨 Heck I even used a cordless drill to experiment with speed and pressure. I'm sure a one on one might give me the results you get. With my luck, in Northern Alberta, Canada, I think I would get better results watching a roll of Hay, self combust.... and end up looking like an icicle. My preference is the magnesium block with the attached ferro rod and I upgrade mine with a 4" hacksaw blade piece. Due to the carbon content, great sparks etc. And if you grind an edge to the back of the piece then a tiny knife. Attached to the block with paracord wrapped around them to be used as a bowstring etc. Makes for a small compact non destructable kit in a breast pocket etc. In my experience, survival is making do with what you can salvage or find.... otherwise it's camping. Sorry I haven't mastered the art of the bow drill.
Very cool. My question to you is I know I have problems with my knees. Is there any suggestions you could make as to positioning for me to make it easier on my knees? Thank you
Hi from England, that was a great piece of knowledge, I doubt if I could copy it as kneeling is hard for me but in a situation the know how is invaluable, thankyou for sharing hope you are doing well in these bad times
Just an idea if you are in the wild and need some sort of cord or something, your shoelace is excellent replacement for Paracord of anything like that.
Using a slug or some green leaves would help with reducing friction on that top bearing - having said that, this is probably the best bow drill video I've seen yet on UA-cam! Keep up the great work mate! All the best from the UK
I appreciate the feedback, I was using resin-infused pine (fatwood) which is self-lubricating, but this particular chunk of cedar was exceptionally hard since I had to use mostly heartwood (I don't mind the challenge). One of the squeakiest sets I ever used and it was boring into that fatwood for sure
Great video. Followed instructions to the letter using tulip poplar set and a fat wood bearing block. Got a fire going with my first ever attempt with a bow drill.
Best tutorial I've seen so far. Thanks for expending the energy time a knowledge to teach us this valuable knowledge/tool. It'll surely save lives. Thanks
I've never done a hole in the bow, tying a clove, bunch of wraps, and then finishing with another clove has been sufficient. Mind you I'm not some bow drill wizard who has done it in all sorts of conditions. Why do you do the hole? Seems more trouble than it is worth? Or do you find that knots are insufficient to hold up?
Excellent!!!! Best tutorial video I've seen yet to learn how to make and use bow drills! Anyone can "show" (and many do) how to make fire with a bow drill set. Not many if any at all have been able to do what you have done. You have answered/addressed many of the questions I've had for troubleshooting and difficulties during the use of a bow drill set. Thank you so much for this video! Keep up the awesome work!!!!
What an excellent video man. I have never seen the bow drill explained in that much detail. I have learned so much from your channel. Please keep them coming!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Steven! It was a risk leaving it this long but the reality is it takes a long time to actually teach it. I want people to be able to do it, not just watch it. That was more important than the view count for me.
that striker/scraper/drill socket is epic, trying to get the guy to make me one! what about this idea for the hardened tips of your spindle: score crosshatches across the tip of the spindle where it marries to the hearth board to generate more friction?
I would have to try it to say for sure if it was necessary. I have had success leaving the tip and the accompanying divot that I am trying to marry it up with pretty gnarly and rough, it tends to break the grain and start producing better dust quicker.
It is not always necessary if the spindle is shaped properly and bowing technique is good. I use it as a troubleshooting step on my kit if the string continues to ride up despite me having proper bowing technique. That tells me the spindle shape is causing it, and rather than re-carve a spindle I will notch the spindle I have to fix that. I omit the step in the beginning because it isn't necessary with a properly shaped spindle and good bowing technique. I would estimate I have needed to do it maybe once out of every hundred bow drill sets
Okay, that actually explained a few of my common mistakes. I do have a question about burning in the hearth board. If the spindle and hearth board don't burn is it too little downward pressure or wrong wood selection? It happens more often with the hand drill method but has happened with the bow drill. Thanks, atb Sean
Wow lucky me! the first video and I hit pay dirt, Gold! Needn't go any further. Engineering in the outdoors. I tried this once as a 16yr old. Had no idea how to do but I did burn some hols and make smock. I respect the way you took your time throughout the entire process as an artist. Been watching the experts on Naked and afraid and most pay little attention to crafting their tooling. Absolut killer Video .... The only criticism I have is the narrated word at the bottom as I could not see some of the prosses. Congrats on your excellent work can't say enough, makes me eager to get at it.
This is an awesome video. I have heard of this being possible but it never occurred to me that it would take that many steps. If there isn't any string, would it be a bad idea to use a shoelace? It doesn't look like the bowstring is under a lot of pressure but is it more important to have good footware and so using a shoelace is a bad idea?
Not a thing wrong with using a bootlace. I purposely change out my laces with paracord for that reason. You can also use the bottom edge of your T-shirt below the seam and it doesn't really sacrifice the clothing. Normally before I do either, I will just make natural cordage and use that, but yes those are options
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I will. I learned that my hearth board was too thin, my spindle placement needed to be on the outside, why my spindle would fly out due to my bow not being parallel, and the constant squeaks. Oh and the bees waxed paracord... I can see the fire in my mind now
Ok what I just learned is this.... THIS IS THE LEAST RELIABLE METHOD TO MAKE A FIRE. Who's gonna have that kind of time, in the field, in an emergency situation....to do this? SERIOUSLY! Just make sure you have a lighter, your own fire starting kit, and just cover your ass, make sure you don't lose everything you need to make a fire?
nice tutorial thank you for the detailed explanations. i think i will get one of those roller ball bearing (bearing blocks) to keep in my fire kit. that way there wont be any friction on top and i dont have to worry about the shoulder on the top. should make the rest a little easier. of course in my fire kit i keep a tin with charred cloth, a tin with pine sap, two new bic lighters, 2 ferro rods with strikers, 2 magnesium fire starters, an evermatch and a good magnifying glass. the magnifying glass being my first choice if i can , as it uses no resources. but no matter what eventually something cant be used or it runs out so i needed to know how to do this. again thank you
I agree, this was the best and most complete bow drill video I’ve seen! I’ve been teaching children survival skills at Natureversity in Austin, Texas and just watched this to review my bow drill skills for class tomorrow. Thank you for going so in depth, it was nice meeting you at Winter Count in Florence, Arizona. Keep doing it for the 10 percent of people who take these skills to heart:)
Thank you for making probably the best bow drill tutorial on youtube. The detail you go into and trouble shooting faults will help many folks I am sure. I have made several bow drill fires inspired from youtube instructional vids made by others but it was a frustrating and slow learning process with far more failures than successes, without all of the secrets laid out so transparently and thoroughly as you have taken the time to show us. I would fail repeatedly without understanding why and what to correct. I learned a new way to tension the bow string from this tutorial. You deserve 10 million views! Very well done sir! Subscribed.
Thanks, Woodsmoke, I appreciate that. This footage was originally over an hour and it was hard to narrow it down to a long but hopefully digestible video. Glad to hear it came across how I wanted it to and might have helped someone else.
"...that wont work well, especially for a beginner." 😂🤣🤣 Youre a trip dude. For me, the worst part of getting the bowdrill down, the only bad part really, was constantly flinging my spindle until I learned to steady myself the right way. There was cuss words. Lots.
Great video, glad I found the channel took your bow drill class at the gathering and been working slowly to get consistent. had a few good embers but still not enough to say I own the skill.
I've watched a lot of bow drill videos and this is the best I've seen. I've made fire by reflector with horse's hoof but have yet to bow drill. Maybe with this info in hand I might do it. Where I am in CT/RI/MA Aspen isn't exactly all that common. Cedar is more common, so good to see that it's possible with it. Is it possible with Pine, Maple Oak which is all over the place, and to a lesser degree, birch. The reality is if you're trying to make fire with bow drill, in modern times, you've probably gotten into a bad spot for some reason and you probably don't have the time to look around for rare trees. So it's interesting to me what's possible with other varieties.
Thank you for such a great tutorial video. Been obsessed with friction fire since growing up on Ray Mears, but never been successful. Your tutorial took me back to the basics, I am now creating fire 🔥
Jesus Christ told us "it's the little Foxes that spoil the vine", in short the devil is in the details These little things in the aggregate are the big things that make the difference in obtaining a successful Bow Drill Fire.Thanks Pard.
What I like about your videos, you’re never into rush with survival techniques, the person already in a tough situation why the rush I see in other survival video guides? Amazing videos keep it up 👍
I have seen many videos on this topic. I know it has been said many times, but this is the best and most thorough instructions. You have a talent on this, but You also have quite a talent for tutorials. Good Job Brother, already liked and gonna subscribe to your channel. Thanks Man
Wow I've been trying to do a bow drill for a couple years with no success do you want to use green wood for spindle and board or dead wood? Guess I will continue trying hopefully get some success. Great information thank you for taking the time to explain all this I've yet to see such an in depth explanation of this. Thank you again sir
A few days ago my 6 year old daughter asks me out of the blue to teach her to make a fire by rubbing 2 sticks together. Unfortunately I’ve never done this myself so where else would one go to but YT and the GBGB. Now it’s time to go for a hike and search for the necessary materials.
Absolutely great demo! My success rate is usually about 50%,, with better success using white poplar, so I definitely appreciate the very fine detail you included here. Really helpful!
That's a great explanation that should up my success rate and make bow drill fires less frustrating. You're a great instructor. I hope to take one of your classes sometime. Too bad you're not still in NC!
Could I use maple for hearthboard and spindle? Thanks . I live in PA and it is easier to find than willow and I almost made a fire with it in the past but I was doing it in GA at the time in the summer heat if that mattered. Also is bankline an a possible source for the string? I tried to be primitive and used a new leather boot string but it broke quickly.
just started learning this the past couple days. getting a lot of smoke but no ember yet and im pretty obsessed. these details are absolutely killer. thank you. using sycamore and redwood i believe. #norcal haha.. with some adjustments im confident ill get it soon
If you rub your finger at the side of your nose next to your nostril where it meets your cheek or behind your ear you'll get a little bit of oil from your skin. Rub that on he top of your spindle to help 'grease' it & reduce friction as well
In the interest of keeping this thread organized for those who view and read the comments section and are hear to learn, please drop all contributions to the discussion that have anything to do with "why not just use a lighter" in this thread. Everyone already knows it is easier to just use a lighter. This is for folks who also know that its possible to not have a lighter 100% of the time. Thanks!
From one friction fire practitioner to another, I agree with this comment. While I'm all about being prepared I also appreciate the skills necessary to create fire from sourced material. Being too dependent on modern technology can be fallible. Please, continue to make quality videos and ignore the trolls.
The Gray Bearded Green Beret Where are you located in the South? I’m from Alabama
@@Aceinthehole1179 this was filmed in coastal NC. I m normally in the Adirondacks.
The Gray Bearded Green Beret I really would love to take a good survival course. You would think Alabama would offer a lot of these courses , but I can’t find anything. What would you recommend? Thanks I’m a new subscriber to your channel “ Great information “
@@Aceinthehole1179 I am partnered with a school called American Survival Co, they have a venue in SW MO/NW AR that may be close to you, they are great and are probably fairly close to you: flintsteelcsg.com/organizer/american-survival-co/
this is the best tutorial for a bow friction fire i have ever seen. I have watched so many over this past year and you have explained and demonstrated the mechanics and construction perfectly! thanks Green Beret!
I particularly like that he doesn't do this in his backyard. I can't stand videos of people acting like experts when they only demonstrate fire making skills at home. Such a refreshing change.
Agreed! The attention to detail and the video quality-including close-ups with the secondary camera-make this bow drill video second to none. Well worth the 35min viewing. Thank you, GBGB.
Awesome video! I feel like I have attended an outdoor seminar on primitive fire making techniques, not just a youtube vid I was really into it great job.
Good to hear, I appreciate the feedback.
Very good demonstration
Greetings from a Belgian bushcrafter
First time I ever saw anyone make me a bow,with your style! Great stuff!
I liked this video. You are not a fake.
They're hammering with ads, make sure your gettin' paid! Great content!
Haha I believe it. Especially on the long ones
Man you’ve really thought anally about every single
Little micro Aspect of This Process.
At first I was annoyed, but I actually
Did Learn Some Great tips from that
Very good video on how to do this.Thank you.
The way you used that knife as a plane was something I'd never seen before. I'm gonna have to try that techinque. Thanks for showing it!
Thank you!
Very good explanation man, I am 60 years old and I am going to build myself a bow drill kit, and practice the bow drill for the first time and try and make a fire in my back yard!
a very nice demo as always. I now know something new I didnt before. i did have 2 questions. feel free to send an internet forehead flick if they seem too dumb lol. First is it possible to use this method to touch off a man made fire starter like a tinder quick or greased cotton ball? If so at what step and how would you go about it? Second is there a bow drill posture that would work with one or both legs being less then 100% functional? say a leg in a splint or otherwise unable to kneel properly. a fleshed out scenario might be a hiker takes a bad fall, looses most of his gear and breaks a leg, splints it himself but needs fire for signaling or to keep predators at bay and this is the only method. I know its a 'what if' but the leg issue hampers alot of outdoors enthusiasts like myself who are maybe 50-80% functional. I can walk limited distance but still cant kneel properly.
Not likely and Yes! You would not be able to light a fire tab or greased cotton ball with this method UNTIL you blew a tinder bundle to flame with it (at that point you would no longer need the emergency tinder). For either of those to work, the oil/wax needs to be heated to the point of turning back to a liquid before it can ignite, and that would likely snuff your ember out. I suppose it would be possible to use the ember to get either of those smoldering and introduce air into them and possibly get then to ignite, but then you would have to transfer that to a tinder bundle to get that going so it could then transfer to your kindling and on to your sustaining fuel, which the ember will do by itself, making the man-made tinder just an extra step that isn't needed. For folks that are not comfortable kneeling or have injuries that prevent comfortable kneeling or applying downward pressure, I teach two techniques: one is called "Sit-busting" that allows you to do this from a seated position ( I will have to do another video on that one) and also rigging up an apparatus similar to a Siberian Deadfall, but modified to use as a bow drill (yet another video). Both have worked for folks that have been taught the techniques.
Wicked thorough & detailed explanation, sir!! One of, if not, the best I've ever seen on YT I have a dickens of a time doing this and can spend lots more time & sweat. Favor to ask, if you have time & energy, would you consider showing how you carve your spindle, top, middle and bottom? Showing the angles you make and how much point, or not, you aim for on each end. The pencil rule was quite helpful. Thanks!!!
I plan to do a followup on this for knife skills involved in making the kit, this footage was well over an hour long and I had to really cut it down for what is still a long video. I am editing two more videos out of this to complete the picture a bit better for folks that are interested.
Thank you, Mr. Enyart!!
That would be great & I'll look forward to it. Especially interested if you try to get close to a smooth & even spindle middle or if you leave some flats for the cord to grab onto. Also if you make any thinner, wasp waist like to center that cord. Thank you for your reply and taking time to make such a detailed presentation. Good teacher!!
It's a LONG, but very useful and descriptive video and my only question is this:- how the fook did 'Homo erectus' work this all out over half a MILLION years ago without the help of UA-cam Tutorials. LOL.
Bulgarian Organic Smallholding I guess the key, reflecting homoerectus to man, is evolution not revolution. First it was spindle 'twixt palms spun to an ember, then later or gradually the bow was introduced to optimise the method.
Go and get a book called 'Clan Of The Cave Bear' by Jean Auel. The sequel, The Valley of Horses is almost better. It's about this 5yr old Cro Magnon girl who loses her family and is adopted by a Neanderthal tribe. In the second book she's kicked out of the Clan and goes off on her own. It's ENTHRALLING. It takes place on the shore of the Caspian Sea, actually in Ukraine - and more 60 000 years than 500 000. There's every kind of stuff in it and its authentic because Jean Auel worked very closely with the archaeological community. Read it - its GOOD!
@@susanp.collins7834 Ukraine didn't exist and it has NEVER been anywhere near the Caspian Sea. If the book is accurate as you appear not to be then, I'll give it a miss. Thank you.
The most comprehensive video I've seen. Thank you!👍
I have yet to have any successful results with a bow drill(very close).....and now I know why.
A few minor details in making the set, better technique...and a little more patience....lol
Thanks!👍
Awesome, let me know when you get one!
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret
I wish I could put the pic in the comments.... I made another spindle(my son ran off with the other...lol) and a new bow...following your instruction. New hole in the hearth board, better notch, new positioning while working the bow.....and..
BINGO!! Had and ember in less than a minute!!
1st successful friction fire!!
Thank you for this great video!! 👍
YES! YES! YES! That is my favorite thing to hear! Excited for you and proud of you for being willing to try something new.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret If the old way didn't work....of course I'll try something new...
One thing I did to dress the spindle after burning it in was to rub the end on stone, or in my case at the moment, cement...lol
Worked like a charm! It was quick, and roughed up the end nicely to provide better friction. I was thinking that's why I got an ember so fast, but I'll dress it up with my knife next time to see if there's any difference. Gotta experiment....
GatitosWorld having a rough divot and a rough spindle will absolutely help you break the grain and get it faster. I do that with a hand drill to speed up the process also
Extremely informative and thorough .Best explanation of a bowdrill set in a long time looking forward to some more videos and technique differentials.
Extremely thorough demonstration brother! I enjoyed seeing how you did your bow. Slightly different from how I tend to do mine but I am definitely interested to try your method. Especially on the back end with the elongated saddle notch and drilling the hole through. I also noticed you had your board positioned with the notch at the top. I started doing this a while back when I realized I could watch the notch better for cues and see when the notch was full. Looking forward to the next one!
Right on brother! Yeah for me I started doing the both on the far side so students could see it fill better. The hidden benefit I found to that was at my height, it was easier for me to see it as well!
Imo, the hardest part of making a friction fire is stoking the ember. At first my tendency was always to try and stoke it too quickly. I've found the biggest secret to a bow drill fire is patience. If you try to rush it, you'll probably fail. Also, don't think because you've made friction fire many times that there isn't anything more to learn from videos like this!
Great video! Thank you sir!
Sir, looks great.
I apologize in advance.
I am amazing at making smoke with a bow drill. Not an ember to be found anywhere. 😨 Heck I even used a cordless drill to experiment with speed and pressure. I'm sure a one on one might give me the results you get. With my luck, in Northern Alberta, Canada, I think I would get better results watching a roll of Hay, self combust.... and end up looking like an icicle. My preference is the magnesium block with the attached ferro rod and I upgrade mine with a 4" hacksaw blade piece. Due to the carbon content, great sparks etc. And if you grind an edge to the back of the piece then a tiny knife. Attached to the block with paracord wrapped around them to be used as a bowstring etc.
Makes for a small compact non destructable kit in a breast pocket etc.
In my experience, survival is making do with what you can salvage or find.... otherwise it's camping.
Sorry I haven't mastered the art of the bow drill.
Very cool. My question to you is I know I have problems with my knees. Is there any suggestions you could make as to positioning for me to make it easier on my knees? Thank you
Thank you for your service to our Great Nation!
You have a gift for explaining in detail without being winded.
Hi from England, that was a great piece of knowledge, I doubt if I could copy it as kneeling is hard for me but in a situation the know how is invaluable, thankyou for sharing hope you are doing well in these bad times
Very good instructions. Thanks for sharing.
Just an idea if you are in the wild and need some sort of cord or something, your shoelace is excellent replacement for Paracord of anything like that.
I find all this easier to -do- than to tlk about. Thank you for the careful explanaion.
Using a slug or some green leaves would help with reducing friction on that top bearing - having said that, this is probably the best bow drill video I've seen yet on UA-cam! Keep up the great work mate! All the best from the UK
I appreciate the feedback, I was using resin-infused pine (fatwood) which is self-lubricating, but this particular chunk of cedar was exceptionally hard since I had to use mostly heartwood (I don't mind the challenge). One of the squeakiest sets I ever used and it was boring into that fatwood for sure
Thank you for posting this video! It is one of the most detailed, instructional and helpful of all of the bow-drill videos I’ve watched.
thanks for your service and thanks for the vids take care
Great video. Followed instructions to the letter using tulip poplar set and a fat wood bearing block. Got a fire going with my first ever attempt with a bow drill.
Love to hear this!
I think 'followed the instructions to the letter' may have had something to do with it. Congrats!
Fantastic beginner video
This is the most informative and useful video re: making and using a bow-drill set for firemaking on UA-cam.
Thanks a ton.
Great video thank you
Fantastic demo ! Thank you!
Best tutorial I've seen so far. Thanks for expending the energy time a knowledge to teach us this valuable knowledge/tool. It'll surely save lives. Thanks
Use ear wax to lube up your bearing block, Would aspen board with birch spindle work? im working with Finnish wood species
Just use an aspen board and aspen spindle, no reason to change species. Usually birch is too oily to get good friction and it will glass over.
I've never done a hole in the bow, tying a clove, bunch of wraps, and then finishing with another clove has been sufficient. Mind you I'm not some bow drill wizard who has done it in all sorts of conditions.
Why do you do the hole? Seems more trouble than it is worth? Or do you find that knots are insufficient to hold up?
Excellent!!!! Best tutorial video I've seen yet to learn how to make and use bow drills! Anyone can "show" (and many do) how to make fire with a bow drill set. Not many if any at all have been able to do what you have done. You have answered/addressed many of the questions I've had for troubleshooting and difficulties during the use of a bow drill set. Thank you so much for this video! Keep up the awesome work!!!!
Glad to hear it! I appreciate that!
What an excellent video man. I have never seen the bow drill explained in that much detail. I have learned so much from your channel. Please keep them coming!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Steven! It was a risk leaving it this long but the reality is it takes a long time to actually teach it. I want people to be able to do it, not just watch it. That was more important than the view count for me.
I just watched my first video on this channel and I had to subscribe
Welcome!
that striker/scraper/drill socket is epic, trying to get the guy to make me one! what about this idea for the hardened tips of your spindle: score crosshatches across the tip of the spindle where it marries to the hearth board to generate more friction?
I would have to try it to say for sure if it was necessary. I have had success leaving the tip and the accompanying divot that I am trying to marry it up with pretty gnarly and rough, it tends to break the grain and start producing better dust quicker.
I've seen other people carve a notch around the spindle for the string to travel in. What do you think of this?
It is not always necessary if the spindle is shaped properly and bowing technique is good. I use it as a troubleshooting step on my kit if the string continues to ride up despite me having proper bowing technique. That tells me the spindle shape is causing it, and rather than re-carve a spindle I will notch the spindle I have to fix that. I omit the step in the beginning because it isn't necessary with a properly shaped spindle and good bowing technique. I would estimate I have needed to do it maybe once out of every hundred bow drill sets
Okay, that actually explained a few of my common mistakes. I do have a question about burning in the hearth board. If the spindle and hearth board don't burn is it too little downward pressure or wrong wood selection? It happens more often with the hand drill method but has happened with the bow drill. Thanks, atb Sean
It could be both, but usually it’s not enough downward pressure (or moisture or oil/resin in the set reducing the wanted friction).
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret Ah, okay. I figured the problem was somewhere along those lines. I just need more practice. Thanks! Atb Sean
this guy is fucking awesome just more time before u got million of subscribers lol
I appreciate that, Johnny!
Just the kinda video I was searching for. Thank you for all the detailed instruction! 🙏🏼
Thanks for the info, appreciate your time
Thanks Larry!
Batoning off the deep handhold.....THANK YOU! i learned something new today.
This is a great demonstration and very informative. Thank you for the step by step instructions.
Nicely done I watched a few videos no one ever said you had to fill up the whole thing with dust great job.
Wow lucky me! the first video and I hit pay dirt, Gold! Needn't go any further. Engineering in the outdoors. I tried this once as a 16yr old. Had no idea how to do but I did burn some hols and make smock. I respect the way you took your time throughout the entire process as an artist. Been watching the experts on Naked and afraid and most pay little attention to crafting their tooling. Absolut killer Video .... The only criticism I have is the narrated word at the bottom as I could not see some of the prosses. Congrats on your excellent work can't say enough, makes me eager to get at it.
I can see why you have been building subscribers so fast. Great video and channel
This is an awesome video. I have heard of this being possible but it never occurred to me that it would take that many steps. If there isn't any string, would it be a bad idea to use a shoelace? It doesn't look like the bowstring is under a lot of pressure but is it more important to have good footware and so using a shoelace is a bad idea?
Not a thing wrong with using a bootlace. I purposely change out my laces with paracord for that reason. You can also use the bottom edge of your T-shirt below the seam and it doesn't really sacrifice the clothing. Normally before I do either, I will just make natural cordage and use that, but yes those are options
Replace your shoelaces with paracord so you have good strong cordage to use.
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I would love to see a video on making natural cordage. Great job on this video.
Really like your channel man, keep up the good work)
Great info... I learned several things, that I have been doing wrong and why I haven't been successful with this method of fire starting.
Awesome! Let me know when you get one!
@@GrayBeardedGreenBeret I will. I learned that my hearth board was too thin, my spindle placement needed to be on the outside, why my spindle would fly out due to my bow not being parallel, and the constant squeaks. Oh and the bees waxed paracord... I can see the fire in my mind now
Thanks for the tutorial. This is the best teaching tutorial I’ve seen yet. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Much appreciated.
Hello Joshua, great beginners demonstration video . Nice attention to detail , best I have seen in a while . Thumbs up . Atb Darren.
Ok what I just learned is this....
THIS IS THE LEAST RELIABLE METHOD TO MAKE A FIRE.
Who's gonna have that kind of time, in the field, in an emergency situation....to do this? SERIOUSLY!
Just make sure you have a lighter, your own fire starting kit, and just cover your ass, make sure you don't lose everything you need to make a fire?
nice tutorial thank you for the detailed explanations. i think i will get one of those roller ball bearing (bearing blocks) to keep in my fire kit. that way there wont be any friction on top and i dont have to worry about the shoulder on the top. should make the rest a little easier. of course in my fire kit i keep a tin with charred cloth, a tin with pine sap, two new bic lighters, 2 ferro rods with strikers, 2 magnesium fire starters, an evermatch and a good magnifying glass. the magnifying glass being my first choice if i can , as it uses no resources. but no matter what eventually something cant be used or it runs out so i needed to know how to do this. again thank you
Excellent detailed info and video! Thank you for sharing. 👍👍👍
I agree, this was the best and most complete bow drill video I’ve seen! I’ve been teaching children survival skills at Natureversity in Austin, Texas and just watched this to review my bow drill skills for class tomorrow. Thank you for going so in depth, it was nice meeting you at Winter Count in Florence, Arizona. Keep doing it for the 10 percent of people who take these skills to heart:)
10% is pretty generous. I'd say it's more like 000.1%.
Thank you for making probably the best bow drill tutorial on youtube. The detail you go into and trouble shooting faults will help many folks I am sure. I have made several bow drill fires inspired from youtube instructional vids made by others but it was a frustrating and slow learning process with far more failures than successes, without all of the secrets laid out so transparently and thoroughly as you have taken the time to show us. I would fail repeatedly without understanding why and what to correct. I learned a new way to tension the bow string from this tutorial. You deserve 10 million views! Very well done sir! Subscribed.
Thanks, Woodsmoke, I appreciate that. This footage was originally over an hour and it was hard to narrow it down to a long but hopefully digestible video. Glad to hear it came across how I wanted it to and might have helped someone else.
"...that wont work well, especially for a beginner." 😂🤣🤣 Youre a trip dude.
For me, the worst part of getting the bowdrill down, the only bad part really, was constantly flinging my spindle until I learned to steady myself the right way.
There was cuss words.
Lots.
Great video, glad I found the channel took your bow drill class at the gathering and been working slowly to get consistent. had a few good embers but still not enough to say I own the skill.
Awesome! Keep at it, you will get it!
Extremely well put together Josh. I can't thank you enough for these videos. Thanks for your contribution to the craft.
I've watched a lot of bow drill videos and this is the best I've seen. I've made fire by reflector with horse's hoof but have yet to bow drill. Maybe with this info in hand I might do it. Where I am in CT/RI/MA Aspen isn't exactly all that common. Cedar is more common, so good to see that it's possible with it. Is it possible with Pine, Maple Oak which is all over the place, and to a lesser degree, birch. The reality is if you're trying to make fire with bow drill, in modern times, you've probably gotten into a bad spot for some reason and you probably don't have the time to look around for rare trees. So it's interesting to me what's possible with other varieties.
Outstanding tutorial, using a much more simpler way of measuring out each piece of kit! Thank you.
Thank you for such a great tutorial video. Been obsessed with friction fire since growing up on Ray Mears, but never been successful. Your tutorial took me back to the basics, I am now creating fire 🔥
What a video! I'm impressed and engaged. I'll make sure to keep this on my list of survival suggestions for others. Good Job my man!!!
GREAT TIPS!! THANKS!!
Best bowdrill tutorial ever! Thanks!
Jesus Christ told us "it's the little Foxes that spoil the vine", in short the devil is in the details These little things in the aggregate are the big things that make the difference in obtaining a successful Bow Drill Fire.Thanks Pard.
What I like about your videos, you’re never into rush with survival techniques, the person already in a tough situation why the rush I see in other survival video guides?
Amazing videos keep it up 👍
I have seen many videos on this topic. I know it has been said many times, but this is the best and most thorough instructions. You have a talent on this, but You also have quite a talent for tutorials.
Good Job Brother, already liked and gonna subscribe to your channel. Thanks Man
Wow I've been trying to do a bow drill for a couple years with no success do you want to use green wood for spindle and board or dead wood? Guess I will continue trying hopefully get some success. Great information thank you for taking the time to explain all this I've yet to see such an in depth explanation of this. Thank you again sir
Awesome vid! I thought I was wasting too much time binge watching your vids but is learning survival skills wasting time? I think not!
A few days ago my 6 year old daughter asks me out of the blue to teach her to make a fire by rubbing 2 sticks together. Unfortunately I’ve never done this myself so where else would one go to but YT and the GBGB. Now it’s time to go for a hike and search for the necessary materials.
I didnt know u had a channel Josh ! Awesome my friend great to connect on facebook the other day ! WEATHERWOOL ARMY !! ;:,:,; Spook
Yeah bro! Love my WeatherWool! Welcome to the channel!
Probably one of the best video I 've seen about the bow dril techniquel, THANK YOU, a big thumb up...
Absolutely great demo! My success rate is usually about 50%,, with better success using white poplar, so I definitely appreciate the very fine detail you included here. Really helpful!
That's a great explanation that should up my success rate and make bow drill fires less frustrating. You're a great instructor. I hope to take one of your classes sometime. Too bad you're not still in NC!
Awesome tutorial Josh. I saved it for later use. Thanks for sharing pal.
Following you from COSTA RICA.
I enjoyed this video, im going to try this which probably will make my adhd go into over drove filling up thst notch
Good description throughout and easy guide thankyou
Could I use maple for hearthboard and spindle? Thanks . I live in PA and it is easier to find than willow and I almost made a fire with it in the past but I was doing it in GA at the time in the summer heat if that mattered. Also is bankline an a possible source for the string? I tried to be primitive and used a new leather boot string but it broke quickly.
I watched a video where DRY pine worked really well.
They are all over the place (in FL anyways)
just started learning this the past couple days. getting a lot of smoke but no ember yet and im pretty obsessed. these details are absolutely killer. thank you. using sycamore and redwood i believe. #norcal haha.. with some adjustments im confident ill get it soon
Fat wood block is genius. Where can I get those pants, I want something that holds up while I look for a fatwood chunk to make a block of my own
It's a shame though that many times through the video the caption was blocking the most interesting of the action.
If you rub your finger at the side of your nose next to your nostril where it meets your cheek or behind your ear you'll get a little bit of oil from your skin. Rub that on he top of your spindle to help 'grease' it & reduce friction as well
LOOKS LIEK YOUR BERAING BLOCK IS BETTER FOR FRICTION THEN YOUR BURN BLOCK THING WAS SMOKING REAL GOOD
Excellent video thanks! Very well explained and detailed.
Ever try it with a pump spindle? It's also a nice alternative.
Great instruction, and exactly why you want several means of ignition so you never have to do this. 😆
Ok so how on earth did you do that? 😂
What's the step by step or technique? Please!
Thank you for the long, detailed, real life teaching video.
Great video Josh. Keep the great content coming brother.
good video , filled a lot of small gaps for me as I prepare a kit to use with some students in school. Thank you.
That was the clearest tutorial I’ve seen. Thanks!