Fire Making With a Bow Drill – Part 2 – Using the Bow Drill

The Bow Drill Method

Setup

• Gather Tinder
• Spindle should be on outside of string
• Upper body rests on upper thigh
• Handhold hand hooked on shim
• Lubricate handhold with oil, pitch, body grease, green leaves, DO NOT use water or spit (spindle will swell)
• Hold bow parallel to ground if using string, at an angle if using cordage

Technique

1. Friction + Downward Pressure = Charred Dust
2. Build up dust with slow continuous bow movements – light wispy smoke
3. Increase pressure for 10-15 strokes, creating a thick smoke.
4. Stop when dust is smoking on its own.
5. DON’T RUSH! You have plenty of time. Remove fireboard from tinder by using a knife or stick to gently push the coal into the tinder.
6. Nest the coal in tinder, blow conservatively.

Troubleshooting

• The ideal dust is dark brown to black, and should stick together.
• Add tension to the string with thumb.
• To add more friction, add gravel or dirt to hole.

See Fire Making With a Bow Drill – Part 1 – Making a Bow Drill for Bow Drill construction methods.